Additive manufacturing (3D printing) has enabled the manufacture of custom-designed implants and surgical devices to enhance pre-surgical planning and achieve better surgical outcomes. Ceramic and metallic materials are generally used for bone, dental replacements or middle-ear ossicles for orthopaedic of bone grafting, all of which must not be excessively loaded. A strong, bespoke implant can be fabricated using laser-based additive manufacturing to obtain near bone-stiffness by creating lattice structures or altering compositions. However, the laser process can induce undesirable microstructural defects, following the extremely rapid and repeated thermal cycle. This project aims to create hybrid metal/bioceramic medical devices with close-to-natural bone stiffness, desirable strength, fatigue and biological properties, using atomic diffusion additive manufacturing which is a ‘no-melting’, ‘indirect’, ‘sinter-based’ additive manufacturing process.

 

This is the first time that additive manufacturing using multiple materials that are finally sintered is proposed for a biological application. To achieve the goal of this project, the multi-material process will be studied using custom-made multiple material printer and physics-based simulations. Use will be made of an economic additive manufacturing to produce intricate metal/bioceramic combinations that are compatible with the required mechanical and bioactivity tendencies; this potentially offers considerable design flexibility compared with traditional metal injection moulding, with shorter design cycles (no mould needed), and lower costs (minimum machining, wastage, reduced lead time and reduced carbon footprint). Physics-based simulations of the sinter-based process will be used to facilitate the technology development and set the scene for a deep understanding of the underlying material behaviour, process parameters and service performance.

 

It is intended that the project will enhance links with new and existing academic partners across disciplines, within Queen Mary University of London Engineering and Medicines faculties, and international partners at Pennsylvania State University, National University of Singapore and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.

 

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
• Candidates are expected to start from September 2023

Conacyt-funded students -  candidate to secure the Conacyt scholarship

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry to the PhD Full-time Mechanical Engineering  - Semester 1 (September Start), please select the Mechanical Engineering research degree programme at https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/engineering.html (Go to Apply online at the bottom of the page)

Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2023 SEMS CP’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.