PhD Studentship: Nanoporous Materials for Energy Absorption

Nanoporous materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are having their applications in mechanical energy absorption. For example, MOFs can offer extremely small hydrophobic pores that are comparable to the size of water molecules, squeezing liquid water into these tiny nanopores can create large solid-liquid interfaces and dissipate huge amount of mechanical energy. Flexible MOFs can also have structural transitions under mechanical pressure to absorb energy. Mechanical energy absorption through these mechanisms can be amplified by their large surface area and porosity, leading to a much higher efficiency than conventional materials.

This research is highly interdisciplinary, so we invite applications from candidates across all relevant areas, including but not limited to:

• Chemistry: Nanoporous Material Synthesis (MOFs, COFs, zeolites, polymer, silica), Crystallography, Mechanochemistry
• Physics: Nanofluidics (nanoscale water), Molecular Dynamics, Thermodynamics
• Materials: Colloids (nanofluid), Gel, Polymer
• Mechanics: Solid Mechanics, Rheology, Impact Mechanics, Vibration, Dynamics, Acoustics
• Engineering: Mechanical Design, Mechatronics, Energy Sustainability

The successful applicant will have a good degree (equivalent to a UK First or at least a 2:1) in one of the disciplines above. Those wishing to apply should email Dr Yueting Sun ([email protected] ) with CV as soon as possible.

The University of Birmingham is a top 100 world’s leading university. We are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and offering a supportive environment for people to thrive. You will have access to state-of-the-art chemistry, materials and mechanics facilities in our group, across the campus, and at central synchrotron facilities. You will benefit from the interactions with the fantastic local community and world-leading collaborators in MOFs and engineering. You will also be supported to develop your skills, research identity, and network, including funding for your professional and career development.

References:

Sun, Y., Rogge, S.M., Lamaire, A., Vandenbrande, S., Wieme, J., Siviour, C.R., Van Speybroeck, V. and Tan, J.C., 2021. High-rate nanofluidic energy absorption in porous zeolitic frameworks. Nature Materials, 20(7), pp.1015-1023.