Development and validation of innovative, near real-time analytical tools to enable mitigation of contamination within cleanrooms of the UK spacecraft & satellite industry

Unit :  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Salary :  stipend £22,997
Location :  Milton Keynes
Please quote reference :  PHD/STEM/ASTROBIOLOGYOU
Closing Date :  29 January, 2024 - 12:00

Open University Supervisory team: Claire Batty; Geraint Morgan; Vic Pearson.

Project Highlights:

• Opportunity to develop expertise in cutting edge volatile organic compound detection and analysis for contamination detection.
• Opportunity to develop skills in analytical techniques, contamination control, and materials and process (M&P) protocols within the space sector.
• This industrial CASE studentship is a collaboration between The Open University (OU) and Airbus Defence and Space Ltd (Airbus DS) providing both academic and industrial research experience.

Overview:

The STFC Industrial CASE (Cooperative Awards in Science and Technology) studentship provides a 3.5-year stipend that allows the student to spend periods of time on placement at Airbus DS in Stevenage, UK. The cumulative placement period will be no less than 9 months but this will be spread over the period of the studentship and will not normally exceed 18 months.

Protecting the space environment is a critical 21st century challenge to ensure the space sector remains environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. For those that manufacture space and satellite equipment, contamination resulting from surfaces, people and materials is a particular problem that is poorly understood but could have serious adverse impacts on extra-terrestrial environments. 

Many materials used in the manufacture of spacecraft, particularly those used for bonding, are silicone-based. This is because they are easy to use, work well in a large range of temperatures, have good adhesion and are UV and ozone resistant.  Certain silicones emit low levels of volatile gases. However, in the space environment, there are both thermal and vacuum effects that increase outgassing of certain compounds that can settle on sensitive equipment causing parts, such as lenses, to become contaminated and image quality to be reduced. If they are deposited on equipment that lands on a celestial body, this could contaminate other natural environments, including those that might be habitable.  

This studentship builds on a successful Open University/Airbus DS STFC Impact Accelerator Account project (scheme can be found online) and will apply a novel approach to volatile analysis within space sector cleanrooms.

The aims of this studentship are:

To identify, profile and catalogue volatile, semi-volatile and surface organic compounds in cleanrooms and understand the influence of VOCs on bonding, and cleaning methodologies.

To develop techniques, in partnership with the Airbus technical team, to help identify individual contamination compounds, and assess risk of silicone contamination vs cure.

To develop analytical strategies to then deal with real time contamination events.

To develop and optimise analytical methods for flight hardware, cleanroom surfaces and air.

Training and skills:

The Open University (OU) is based in Milton Keynes where the student will receive training in chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques to facilitate the identification of organic compounds. These techniques will include Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), additional headspace analysis techniques, and Selective Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS).

The student will receive training in M&P protocols in line with contamination control at Airbus’ Stevenage site, which focuses on spacecraft manufacturing and played a key role in the assembly of the ExoMars rover.  They will have the opportunity to shadow the M&P staff and cleanliness control engineers when on site. They will learn how cleanrooms function, ISO standards and why specialist clothing is required for the different ISO standards. They will be able to observe the current laboratory techniques in use (FTIR) and be able to compare these to their own methods/results.

The student will benefit from bespoke training organised by the School of Earth, Environment and Ecosystem Sciences (EEES) and by AstrobiologyOU, including mandated training, such as health and safety and laboratory skills. They will benefit from being a member of a cross-school research group, with relevant in-house training.  AstrobiologyOU offers dedicated training events and seminars, including CV-writing support, managing budgets and fellowship writing training. AstrobiologyOU is committed to identifying teaching opportunities for any student that desires them and offering public engagement opportunities to support communication skills development. 

Possible timeline:

Year 1: Perform a literature review and create initial databases of cleanroom compounds. Initial placements (likely 2 weeks in duration) at Airbus for materials and processes training, and sample collection. Training on analytical equipment.

Year 2: Optimise techniques and react to real time events that occur. Further placements (between 2-4 weeks each) to continue sample collection and react to contamination events. Presentation at national/international conference.

Year 3-3.5: Consolidation of all techniques and develop final protocols. Further placement, conference presentations. Thesis writing and submission.

Further reading:  https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/developing-people-and-skills/stfc/training/types-of-training/industrial-case-studentships/

Further details:

Students should have a strong background in analytical chemistry and/or materials chemistry, and an interest in planetary or space science. The PhD student will be a member of the School of Earth, Environment and Ecosystems Sciences and the cross-faculty AstrobiologyOU group , and will join a vibrant postgraduate community at the Open University.

Please contact Dr Claire Batty ([email protected] ) for further information.

Applications should include:

• a cover letter outlining why the project is of interest to you and how your skills match those required.
• an academic CV containing contact details of two academic references.
• an OU application form, downloadable from: -
  • UK applicants:   
    • https://www.open.ac.uk/students/research/system/files/documents/application-form-uk.docx
  • International Applicants:
    • https://www.open.ac.uk/students/research/system/files/documents/application-form-international.docx

Applications should be sent to [email protected]   by 12pm (noon) on 29th January 2024

Posting Date :  21 November, 2023 - 16:45