Latest self-funded manufacturing PhD/MRes opportunities within the Composites Centre

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work with the industrial partners, external collaborators and a team of researchers at the Enhanced Composites and Structures Centre in collaboration with the Composites and Advanced Materials Centre at Cranfield University, aiming to synthesise and manufacture sustainable and functional polymer composites materials for applications ranging from automotive to aerospace . 

Successful candidates will be involved in either a three year PhD or one year MRes via materials synthesis; characterisation and mechanical/electrical properties evaluation and the comparison of developed materials properties with existing state of the art materials for numerous applications.

Candidates will be expected to work with the rest of the team at the Centre and collaboratively with the project’s industrial partners, and to publish the work in high impact materials journals.

Find out more information about the Composites and Advanced Materials Centre.

The following opportunities are split into four topic areas, each opportunity is available as a PhD or MRes.

Topic 1 Nanotubes and Graphene based Composites for Advanced Engineering Applications
Topic 2 Renewable Textiles for Engineering and Biomedical Applications
Topic 3 Sustainable Composites for Advanced Engineering Applications
Topic 4 Advanced Composites Manufacturing for Multifunctional Applications

Graphene Nanoparticles Reinforced Multi scale Carbon Glass Composites

Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene based Coatings for Lightening Strike Protection for Aerospace Structures

Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene based Coatings for Erosion Protection of Helicopter Blades and Aerospace Structures

Advanced Carbon Nanotubes/Graphene Reinforced Composites for Hydrogen Storage Tanks for Aircraft and Vehicles

Super-strong and Ductile Carbon Nanotube Fibres based Composites as Replacement of Carbon Fibres for Aerospace Composites

High-Performance Nano Reinforced Glass/Carbon Fibre Composites Pipeline for Oil and Gas Exploration

Natural Polymer Super-absorbent Fibres and Textiles for Improved Organic Farming

Natural Polymer based Nano-fibres for Air Filtration and Air Purification

Sustainable Textiles, Fibres and Sustainable Materials for Fashion Design Applications

High Performance Natural Polymer Textiles Manufacturing for Engineering and Biomedical Applications

Sustainable Composites for Manufacturing Wind Turbine Blades

Additive Manufacturing (4D/ 3D Printing) of Sustainable Polymers and Composites for Advanced Applications

Recycling and Reuse of Materials: From Linear To Circular Economies

Next Generation Materials for Biomedical Engineering

Smart multifunctional composites

In-situ monitoring and toughening of composite structures

Augmented reality composites assembly

Advanced composite materials for energy storage and harvesting

Nanocellulose based multifunctional composites

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as engineering or material science or chemistry. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated with a background in Mechanical/ Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry/ Polymer Technology or Materials Science with an interest in innovative and multi-disciplinary research. A basic training in one of the field’s materials synthesis, polymer -based composites, composites processing and characterization is of merit. The applicant should take initiatives and cooperate well in groups as well as show interest in industrial oriented research. The applicants are encouraged to first directly email Professor Koziol with their CV and an expression of interest letter.

Funding

Self-funded (funding for materials and consumables are provided by the industrial partner).