PhD Research Studentships
Advancing the green transition: hybridised sintering for thin-layered ceramics
| Supervisor: | Salvatore GRASSO |
| Apply by: | 29 January 2025 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
Ceramics are used either in bulk or as thick films, the latter often integrated with metals and polymers. They are critical to many technologies, including communications, fuel cells, sensors, and energy storage (i.e., solid-state batteries). The processing of monolithic ceramics involves high-temperature sintering (>1200°C) with substantial invested energy and an associated high carbon footprint. Cold and field-assisted sintering have emerged independently in recent years, significantly decreasing the temperatures, times, and energy required to densify ceramics. Additionally, the use of intense magnetic fields (www.magmat.uk) is expected to further increase the performance of thin-layered structures. The PhD research will hybridize these processes to develop new low-energy/temperature sintering technologies suited to next-generation ceramics. The PhD research will seek to determine the synergistic effects of recently emerged sintering techniques, optimize materials for density and performance, develop scalable processes, and create significant socioeconomic benefits by reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The planned work is mostly focused on thin-layered structures as key strategic components to support the current green transition. The planned activities encompass understanding the mechanisms of hybrid sintering processes through advanced structural and microstructural studies, impedance spectroscopy, and finite element modelling.
Funding
Funded by: China Scholarship CouncilCandidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
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 minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Salvatore GRASSO.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Materials Science full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-631" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| Related website: | https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/s.grasso |
| Keywords: | Inorganic Chemistry, Energy Technologies, Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Structural Engineering, Systems Engineering, Thermodynamics, Ceramics, Glass, Materials Science - Other |