PhD Studentship - Stress Grading with Novel 2D Materials in Cable Systems Rated at Transmission Voltages

Funding is available for UK students and will pay the tuition fee and provide a stipend for 4 years at the standard UKRI rate (£18,622 pa full-time equivalent in 2023/24). An additional industry top-up of £5,750 pa will be provided by Pfisterer Ltd. This represents a total tax-free stipend of £24,372 pa. EU applicants will need to have pre-settled status and 3 years living in EEA countries to qualify.

A key pre-breakdown phenomenon in polymer is electrical treeing, which are microscale tree-like hollow channels growing within the solid insulating material. This is a well-established cause that leads to the eventual failure in cable systems. The aim of this project is to explore design and fabrication of nanoscale layered structures within existing insulation design using 2D nanomaterials. The hypothesis is such approach could more effectively manage the electric field stress at elevated voltage level than existing material/design. To tackle this research, fundamental materials science must first be considered to examine how nanomaterials could improve stress grading in cable insulation, and how to upscale laboratory scaled samples (a few mm) to full-scale cable system geometry. There is little published literature regarding the fracture mechanics of polymers/nanocomposites for application in cable systems. This work will generate new data on the use of 2D materials in cable structure leading to potential improvement in the selection of materials and design of cable systems.

The standard academic entry requirement for a Doctorate level programme is an Upper Second UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline or a first degree with an additional pass in a UK Masters degree (or international equivalent).

Please contact Dr. Chen and Prof Kinloch before you apply: Dr. Chen - [email protected] and Prof Kinloch: [email protected] .