Materials Engineering/Science: Fully Funded EPSRC PhD Scholarship: Additive Manufacturing Material Properties Generation for Critical Applications: New Approaches, Challenges & Opportunities

Funding providers: EPSRC and ASTM International

Subject areas: Additive Manufacturing, Materials Science, Mechanical Property Characterisation

Project start date: 1 January 2022 (Enrolment open from mid-December)

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:

Additive Manufacturing brings significant opportunities for Manufacturing, in terms of new structural designs, higher performance, and a reduction in weight & material required. However, for this potential to be unlocked, industry requires the creation of high calibre datasets to enable design & product certification.

ASTM International is at the forefront of driving material property generation with the ASTM AM Centre of Excellence (AM CoE), with this PhD supporting the creation of materials properties for critical applications. This will include understanding & evaluating the effect of defects, test methods, and relating the process of creating AM material to the lifing of a component in service. The project will be predominantly based at Swansea University, but liaison and research activities at affiliated universities and partners is envisaged.

The output of this PhD will support Standardisation for Additive Manufacturing, providing the student with global exposure through the extensive ASTM International network. Specialist Additive Manufacturing training will be provided, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with international partners whilst working as a member of the AM CoE. The ASTM International AM CoE was specifically created in 2018 to accelerate Additive Manufacturing through rapidly closing gaps in Standards and providing Education & Workforce Development, with support from global founding (e.g. The MTC, NASA) and strategic partners. The ASTM has led many significant collaborations within AM, notably the Partner SDO between ISO and ASTM for Standards development.

The AM CoE brings together industry, government and academia to optimise the AM R&D and standards development processes. By tightly coupling these processes, standards get into the hands of those who need them faster, drastically reducing AM time to market and increasing widespread adoption. Experience covers all AM methods, with strengths in various AM modalities including Powder Bed, Binder Jetting and Direct Energy Deposition.

Available resources/facilities: Institute of Structural Materials  (ISM) (Swansea University), Materials Advanced Characterisation Centre  (MACH1) (Swansea University)

Eligibility

Candidates should hold a minimum of an upper second class (2:1) honours degree (or Swansea University recognised equivalent) in an engineering discipline. An understanding of additive manufacturing is highly desirable. Subject backgrounds considered include: additive manufacturing; mechanical properties; advanced materials characterisation; materials science, industrial engineering.

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years’ experience with Additive Manufacturing, or related industrial experience (such as Aerospace, Nuclear, etc.). This PhD would particularly suit a candidate looking to build on experience(s) gained in the workplace. Industrial experience would be held very favourably.

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent.

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA regulations.