PhD position in Micro-mechanics of dynamic friction in a single-grain contact

At the Surface Technology and Tribology (STT) chair in the faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), we are currently seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to research on the topic of friction mechanisms in single-grain sliding.

The challenge

Under highly accelerated slip, several physical phenomena contribute to the dynamic friction behavior of mechanical systems. Understanding friction in grain (micro)-scale contacts is relevant to several industrial and geo-mechanical systems. For example, loss of friction and slip causes errors in highly accurate positioning stages in lithography. Earthquakes also occur due to sudden slip when the frictional strength of the crushed rock granules in geological faults is overcome.

We plan to study the friction phenomena in a single-grain (asperity) contact by performing experiments to accurately model friction during high-acceleration sliding. Dynamic friction in single-grain (sphere-on-flat) contact in a fluid environment is affected by coupled phenomena such as frictional heating, fluid pressurization, etc. By instrumental analysis of single-grain experiments, we can formulate a physical basis for these friction processes and derive experimentally validated single-grain friction laws for highly dynamic slip. Our aim is:

To design and perform sliding experiments to investigate the micro-mechanics of dynamic frictional phenomena and develop friction laws for single-grain contact.

Job description

• The PhD candidate will plan and implement the research towards the project objectives by:
• participating in the design and development of a setup for highly dynamic sliding experiments.
• performing in-(/ex-)situ thermographic and spectroscopic studies to inspect and quantify variations in frictional forces and phenomena.
• developing experimentally validated, grain-scale friction models.
• working with an interdisciplinary team in partnering departments and universities to efficiently calibrate and implement friction models to build larger scale Multiphysics solvers.

You will actively participate during the progress meetings and discussions of our research chair and project partners. We encourage our researchers to present and publish their results at international conferences and in reputed journals.

If interested, please submit your application before 13th of May, 2024 using the “Apply now” button.

Applications should include the following documents:

• A motivation letter describing why you apply for this position, with a description of your research interests (no more than 1 A4).
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information of 2 references
• Academic transcripts of courses from your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
• IELTS (above 6.5) or TOEFL-iBT (above 90) test results, if your master’s program was not in English.

For more information, contact Dr. T. Mishra ([email protected]) or Prof.dr.ir. M.B. de Rooij ([email protected]).

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an (online) interview and a presentation which will probably take place from mid-May 2024.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.