蝶梦9780

Project title: Accelerated virtual testing additively manufactured polymers and composites through model order reduction

Location: Department of Engineering, Streatham Campus, Exeter

The University of Exeter's Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded to commence on 25 September 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International  tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £17,668 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  The student would be based in the Department of Engineering in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Project Description:
In recent years, additively manufactured high-performance polymers are gaining popularity in several industries as a light-weight alternative to metal components. This is mainly driven by the ability to manufacture arbitrarily complex components with enhanced mechanical performance. A promising application for these materials is the combination with laminated composites, in a process termed over-printing, where new features, such as cable brackets, are additively manufactured on top of existing composite structures. While the technique allows to reap the combined benefits of two highly successful technologies, its application also presents some challenges. In particular, the optimal design of components with this technique requires a good understanding of the failure mechanisms of the interface of the two materials, which can typically be obtained through extensive experimental testing. Virtual testing, i.e., replacing part of the experiments with simulations, can greatly facilitate the process by both reducing the required number of physical experiments and extending the range of testing experimental configurations. However, performing simulations involving the failure of complex materials, is a challenging process that can lead to infeasible computational times.
The project will aim at developing numerical methods to accelerate the simulation of localised phenomena, such as fracture and interface failure, with the ultimate objective of facilitating the extensive use of virtual testing in the development of over-printing methods. In particular, adaptive model order reduction, as well as domain decomposition techniques will be developed to exploit the localised nature and progressive evolution of these phenomena. While the project will primarily focus on the development of numerical methods, the target application will be virtual testing of over-printing in composites. To this end, the developed techniques will be experimentally validated using results obtained in Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing.

The PhD candidate will be part of a team of academic researchers working in the fields of numerical modelling and additive manufacturing. Moreover, the project will offer the opportunity to interact with industrial partners as well as to travel for conferences and research stays with international academic collaborators. Candidates are expected to have a strong background in mechanics and numerical modelling, as well as some coding experience.

This award provides annual funding to cover Home tuition fees and a tax-free stipend.  For students who pay Home tuition fees the award will cover the tuition fees in full, plus at least £17,668 per year tax-free stipend.  Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend.   

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3.5 years of full-time study to commence on 25 September 2023. The collaboration with the named project partner is subject to contract.  Please note full details of the project partner’s contribution and involvement with the project is still to be confirmed and may change during the course of contract negotiations.  Full details will be confirmed at offer stage.

International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements:
Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.  If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level (Profile A/B/C)  as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

How to apply
In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.
• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Research proposal
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to pgrenquiries@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.
• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on June 13th 2023. Interviews will be held virtually / on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus at the beginning of July.

If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email pgrenquiries@exeter.ac.uk or phone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers)   Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.

For more details, please read https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4779
For enquiries about the project, please contact project supervisor Dr Konstantinos Agathos (K.Agathos@exeter.ac.uk)