New approaches for methane emission control

Applications are invited for a 3.5 year PhD studentship, supported by the School of Engineering, to be undertaken within the Catalysis Group at University of Edinburgh and supervised by Dr Francisco R. Garcia-Garcia. Edinburgh University is top-one rated university in UK for research activity (REF2014). The successful applicant will join an emergent, diverse and dynamic experimental group working on the development of multifunctional catalytic reactors inspired by how biological cells work to be applied in emission control today’s challenges. The studentship is offered in collaboration with Dr Prashant Valluri (co-supervisor). The purpose of this project is to study the feasibility of Micro-structured Catalytic Converter as a new approach for methane emission control. The project will entail:
(i) the design, synthesis and characterisation of novel nanostructured materials for catalytic application in the total oxidation of methane reaction
(ii) incorporation of the catalyst in different micro-structured supports
(iii) understanding and modelling the flow patterns inside the Micro-structured Catalytic Converter
(iv) preliminary data of the Micro-structured Catalytic Converter performance under typical operation conditions (e.g. Indian exhaust CNG auto-rickshaw).

Successful candidate will enjoy a stimulating working environment within the recently opened £350K Catalysis Design Laboratory at the School of Engineering and will gain expertise in advance experimental and modelling methods. Group members also enjoy frequent opportunities for international exchange visits with our network of collaborators (i.e. Imperial College London and Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry) and access to international synchrotron facilities.

The closing date for this opportunity is 10th February, or until the vacancy is filled.