PhD Engineering: Mechanical Behaviour of Nano and Micro-Structured Interfaces

This project will examine the mechanical and tribological applications of specialised nano and micro structured interfaces (i.e. contacting surfaces with tiny-scale patterns). Tribology is the science and engineering of surfaces in contact and encompasses topics like friction, wear, lubrication and contact stiffness. The project aims to understand how surfaces with certain structuring can be useful in designing interfaces with various engineering advantages. As well as dry frictional interfaces, the project also aims to investigate implications for bonded interfaces as well as lubricated contacts. It will have two major components: the first will involve the fabrication of the surfaces and the second part will entail testing and modelling to help understand the underlying physics.

Fabrication: The fabrication component of the project will make use of unique state of the art facilities in nano and micro fabrication available at the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (http://www.jwnc.gla.ac.uk/) based at University of Glasgow. This is one of few such facilities available worldwide. Particular surface patterns will be designed and realised on certain material surfaces. Here lab based skills will be very important in terms of setting up the fabrication lithography process in a clean-room environment to accurately produce the required surfaces.

Testing and modelling: Following fabrication, a program of testing and modelling will be carried out to probe the mechanical behaviour of the contacts having particular surface structure. This phase of the project will involve designing and realising suitable mechanical experiments to draw out the essential behaviour of the interfaces. Experimental skills will be essential here. The student will be involved in rig design and instrumentation, as well as, data logging and analysis. In addition to the experimental work, the project will draw upon available theory from the tribology and adhesive joints communities to help understand and model the physically observed behaviour.

There are a host of industrial applications for the project. Contact between surfaces is ubiquitous across the engineering world from the nano-scale to the macroscale and from computer disc-drives to aero-engine joints. The project will be supervised by Dr Daniel Mulvihill and co-supervised by Prof Nikolaj Gadegaard. Excellent opportunities will exist for collaboration with partner groups such as at the Universities of Aberdeen, Cambridge, Imperial, Strathclyde and Limerick where the team have academic collaborators. The project is particularly suited to a strong candidate wishing to pursue an academic or industrial career in materials engineering, materials science or nano and micro fabrication. The mix of exposure to a host of advanced nanofabrication and experimental testing techniques as well as to modelling approaches will be very valuable to the student in their future career. This project is particularly suitable for students interested in: materials engineering, materials science, nano and micro fabrication and manufacturing, tribology, surface interaction and experimental and laboratory work with a certain amount of modelling content.

Candidate requirements: Applicants should have a relevant honours degree awarded at (minimum) 2.1 classification, or equivalent overseas degree of at least four years duration. Degrees in Engineering, Materials Science and Physics are particularly suitable. Good fluency in English is required. Non-native speakers will be required to submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5). The project is most suited to Mech, Bio, Civil, Aero and manufacturing based students.

The Team: The successful applicant will join a vibrant and active team of 2 PhD students and one post-doctoral researcher who will work on problems in this area under the supervision of Dr Mulvihill and Prof Gadegaard.

Please get in contact in the first instance to register your interest ([Email Address Removed]). Formal application for this scholarship is made by using the online system at the following link for admission as a postgraduate research student to the admission team using the ’Apply Online’ link.