Laser Peri-Dyeing: to develop an experimental process for quantifying and predicting the improved water, energy and dye consumption of these processes

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

Project Detail:
Dyeing and finishing processes represent the majority of the inherent energy cost in the production of textile products. Existing production techniques are wasteful in their use of energy, water and chemicals to produce finished textile products, which is not exclusively an environmental issue but prohibitive to repatriation of manufacturing to the UK. The laser peri-dyeing technique developed by Loughborough University moves the dyeing process control from large tanks to directly on the surface of the textiles. This allows for detailed multi-coloured graphics to be directly and permanently dyed onto the surface of a wide variety of natural and synthetic, plan and highly textured fabrics. Existing development of this process has successfully evaluated and demonstrated the process suitability for textile design and the potential for significant environmental benefits, a detailed programme of work is now required to assess the engineering solutions.

This project aims to develop a detailed understanding of the laser-material interactions and their exact energy and chemical consumption to critically evaluate the commercial viability of this process. This will require systematic experimentation and analysis of the existing laser peri-dying process and development of new techniques. Work will include the use and development of new high power laser materials processing and textile handling equipment. Developing an experimental process for quantifying and predicting the improved water, energy and dye consumption of these process. Evaluating the long term and commercial performance of textiles treated by this process. This project is industrially supported and will involve collaboration with this partner.

There will be opportunities to attend academic conferences and other training courses to develop a wide variety of technical and transferrable skills throughout the project.

Funding Information:
This is a fully funded PhD studentship, which will start in October 2017 and run for three years. It includes:
• A tax-free stipend of £14,553 per annum for 3 years. The stipend will increase in line with EPSRC recommended rates.
• Tuition fees at the UK/EU rate, for up to 3 years.
• Additional top up of up to £4,000, subject to performance at interview

International (non EU) students may apply, however the total value of the studentship will be used towards the cost of the International tuition fee in the first instance

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Design Engineering, Technical Textiles or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Technical Textiles, Laser Materials Processing.

Contact details:
Name: Dr Lewis Jones
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 227594

How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Please quote the reference number ‘LJ012017’ on all correspondence and on the application form. Please ensure that you select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering’ under programme name on the application form.

Application details:
Reference number: LJ012017
Preferred Start date : January 2017
Closing Date: 30th November 2017

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Dr Lewis Jones
Secondary supervisor: Professor John Tyrer