MRT-2022-119 - PHD STUDENT: RENEWABLE FIBER STRUCTURE...

Natural fibers (e.g. bamboo, hemp, flax, coir), present complex nonlinear tensile behavior at both the technical and elementary fiber level. While their constituents (cellulose, lignin, pectins) are fixed, their properties vary widely due to microstructure and compositional heterogeneity. By better understanding fiber microstructure and the associated mechanisms governing mechanical behavior, the successful candidate will link natural fiber architecture to composite properties, providing a path to enhanced performance and a vision for controlled failure mechanisms through control of material structure. Moreover, an analysis of both fiber architecture and chemical composition will also provide a much more complete understanding of the mechanisms of moisture uptake and thermal decomposition. At the composite level, the modulation of natural fiber composition will be explored as a means of improving transverse mechanical properties.

In addition to scientific support by recognized experts in the field, the candidate will have access to fully equipped labs for advanced micromechanical characterization and fiber composite manufacturing. Their efforts will be aided by state of the art characterization facilities, including relevant spectrometric (FTIR, NMR, XPS, MALDI) and chromatographic (GPC) tools, structural characterization methods (SEM, AFM, microCT), thermal analysis equipment (TGA, DSC, DMA, TMA, etc.), mechanical (quasi-static tensile, flexural, micro pull-out, nano indentation, etc.) and physical testing (contact angle). The candidate will have the opportunity of a secondment in a prestigious European university, as well as participation in international conferences.

Funding category: Financement public/privé

PHD Country: France