Overview
PhD CASE Studentship
Micro-Scale Hybrid Fibres for Low Cost Polymer Armour
Imperial College London - Department of Aeronautics
Duration of Studentship: 36 months
An Industrial Case PhD Studentship is available for a candidate with a background in Engineering and an interest in developing novel materials for armour applications. This is a 3 year studentship in collaboration with Dstl with at least 3 months of the studentship at Dstl.
Currently there is much interest in the use of High Performance (HP) fibres for light weight polymer armour. The mechanisms of energy absorption by these materials are just beginning to be understood, however, these HP fibres are very expensive. A source of lower cost materials with performance as good as and possibly better than these HP fibres is thus an urgent requirement.
This work will look at hybridising two lower cost fibres (e.g. carbon and nylon), which together could outperform high performance fibres, but at a reduced cost. This innovative concept will operate rope type architecture at the micro-scale, using a very stiff fibre like carbon wound around a flexible thermoplastic fibre such as nylon. It is anticipated that this would have ballistic performance and would be as good as and possibly better than existing fibres, and will be able to be tailored through the winding geometry. It would also be much cheaper. As the stiff fibre is stretched it would need to distort the flexible fibre, friction would also dissipate energy. Hence, it would also be necessary to explore how to make a micro-rope at the micrometre scale and then consolidate it into a Pre-preg laminate. Modelling, based on Finite Element techniques, would be used to determine the best pitch of the fibres within the micro-rope, frictional effects, failure mechanisms, etc. Fundamental testing of the hybrid fibre is also envisaged.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants should have a keen interest in Engineering and Composite Materials and should possess good analytical skills. An aptitude for experimental research work is desirable. Applications are invited from candidates with (or who expect to gain) a good upper second or first-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Aeronautics or related Engineering areas.
Amount awarded
The studentship starting date is 1 October 2010 and will provide full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of circa £15,290. The rules on who is eligible are strict and cannot be changed. UK citizens are eligible, as are EU citizens who have been resident in the UK for the 3 years preceding the date of application. Other EU citizens are eligible for a fees-only award. Non-EU students are ineligible, unless they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years preceding the date of application for purposes other than education.
Applications will be assessed as received and all applicants should follow the standard College postgraduate admissions process (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/pgprospectus/howtoapply).
Informal enquiries and request for additional information for this post can be made to Dr Lorenzo Iannucci (l.iannucci@imperial.ac.uk). The co-supervisor at Dstl will be Professor Paul Curtis.
Inquiries ?
Should you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Mrs Dawn Araim by email to: d.araim@imperial.ac.uk or phone on +44 207 594 5056 +44 207 594 5056
Closing Date: 30 June 2010 or until the studentship is filled
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this oppportunity
PhD CASE Studentship
Micro-Scale Hybrid Fibres for Low Cost Polymer Armour
Imperial College London - Department of Aeronautics
Duration of Studentship: 36 months
An Industrial Case PhD Studentship is available for a candidate with a background in Engineering and an interest in developing novel materials for armour applications. This is a 3 year studentship in collaboration with Dstl with at least 3 months of the studentship at Dstl.
Currently there is much interest in the use of High Performance (HP) fibres for light weight polymer armour. The mechanisms of energy absorption by these materials are just beginning to be understood, however, these HP fibres are very expensive. A source of lower cost materials with performance as good as and possibly better than these HP fibres is thus an urgent requirement.
This work will look at hybridising two lower cost fibres (e.g. carbon and nylon), which together could outperform high performance fibres, but at a reduced cost. This innovative concept will operate rope type architecture at the micro-scale, using a very stiff fibre like carbon wound around a flexible thermoplastic fibre such as nylon. It is anticipated that this would have ballistic performance and would be as good as and possibly better than existing fibres, and will be able to be tailored through the winding geometry. It would also be much cheaper. As the stiff fibre is stretched it would need to distort the flexible fibre, friction would also dissipate energy. Hence, it would also be necessary to explore how to make a micro-rope at the micrometre scale and then consolidate it into a Pre-preg laminate. Modelling, based on Finite Element techniques, would be used to determine the best pitch of the fibres within the micro-rope, frictional effects, failure mechanisms, etc. Fundamental testing of the hybrid fibre is also envisaged.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants should have a keen interest in Engineering and Composite Materials and should possess good analytical skills. An aptitude for experimental research work is desirable. Applications are invited from candidates with (or who expect to gain) a good upper second or first-class honours degree (or equivalent) in Aeronautics or related Engineering areas.
Amount awarded
The studentship starting date is 1 October 2010 and will provide full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of circa £15,290. The rules on who is eligible are strict and cannot be changed. UK citizens are eligible, as are EU citizens who have been resident in the UK for the 3 years preceding the date of application. Other EU citizens are eligible for a fees-only award. Non-EU students are ineligible, unless they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for 3 years preceding the date of application for purposes other than education.
Applications will be assessed as received and all applicants should follow the standard College postgraduate admissions process (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/pgprospectus/howtoapply).
Informal enquiries and request for additional information for this post can be made to Dr Lorenzo Iannucci (l.iannucci@imperial.ac.uk). The co-supervisor at Dstl will be Professor Paul Curtis.
Inquiries ?
Should you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Mrs Dawn Araim by email to: d.araim@imperial.ac.uk or phone on +44 207 594 5056 +44 207 594 5056
Closing Date: 30 June 2010 or until the studentship is filled
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this oppportunity
0 comments:
Post a Comment