Deadline: December 24, 2011
Cranfield University is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake this exciting research project, which aims to develop an automotive lightweight engine component as concept demonstrator by exploiting nano-scale complexity in materials. The key objective is to tailor, at the nanoscale, novel material systems with radically new or enhanced properties and performance based upon improved understanding of thermoplastic nanocomposites.
Thermoplastics offer advantages in terms of weight and cost when compared to conventional steel and aluminium castings. Thermo-mechanical performance of the thermoplastic autoparts remains a challenge for mechanically, thermally or pressure loaded applications. Tensile, compression and shear properties are hugely temperature dependent. Clever structural designs on our recently developed thermoplastic (polyamide) oil pans and their commercialisation has proven that the under-the-hood automotive components are possible cost-effective applications.
This project is expected to accelerate the development of a range of lighter vehicle nano-enhanced components that can be fitted into current mass produced automotive cars or vans. A materials database will be developed and used for finite element analysis to model and simulate the structural dynamic behaviour such as localised impact, failure analysis mechanism and boundary conditions, in order to construct structure properties at different life stages of the car.
The successful candidate will be based at the University campus in Bedfordshire and will have access to a variety of mechanical, impact and crashworthiness testing facilities
Doctoral Training Centres
This higher research degree is associated with one of our Doctoral Training Centre, which is funded in part by the Research Councils and industry. A generic core skills training programme is provided for all research students. This is structured as a series of half day or full day events and acts as a social and networking forum to foster and develop Cranfield’s research student community.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a First or Second Class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such automotive, mechanical engineering, aeronautical, aerospace or materials science. An MSc in a relevant subject is highly desirable. Knowledge or experience of non-linear FEA including crash and/or impact modelling in Ls-DYNA, ABAQUS or NASTRAN is advantageous..
Funding
*Supported by an EPSRC bursary and Eaton this studentship will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only and provide a bursary of up to £14,500 p.a for three years. To be eligible for this funding applicants must have:
no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK, i.e. no visa restrictions or have ‘settled status’, and have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant and not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals). All EU nationals are eligible to receive a fees-only award if they do not have ‘settled status’ in the UK.
All non-EU nationals are very unlikely to be eligible for this funding under the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997, however EPSRC will allow universities some flexibility and discretion to support the very best students wherever they may come from – please contact us directly for further information.
For full details about eligibility please visit: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PostgraduateTrai…
How to apply
If you are eligible to apply for this research studentship, please complete the online application form. For further information contact us today:
School of Applied Sciences
T: +44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk
Please note that we are unable to consider submissions for specific research studentships that fall outside of the stated eligibility criteria.
