This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition , for entry in September 2025.

Early application is encouraged, as excellent candidates may receive an early offer of a funded place before the end of the year. To be eligible for early consideration, you must apply before 24 November 2024.

Project Background:

This PhD project will create new, low energy methods for manufacturing ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) with improved control over microstructure and there fore bulk mechanical and thermal properties. A new, more efficient sintering technology will be explored whereby green ceramic bodies are heated through the absorption of optical energy produced by a high energy xenon flash lamp [1]. This localised heating technology creates opportunities to completely disrupt current slow, oven-based sintering methods of CMC manufacture. As energy can be targeted to heat the sample directly, this approach has the potential to significantly reduce the required sintering energy compared to traditional approaches and have further advantages in joining of CMC components.

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) offer an unparalleled combination of excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability and chemical inertness. As such, they are critical materials to advance the next generation of aerospace and energy technologies. For example, CMCs are important materials for future technological advances in aero-engines and nuclear fusion reactors. Their current use, however, is limited by challenges associated with their manufacturing, which requires significant manual lay-up of fibre prepregs/preforms, multiple matrix infiltration, heating and curing steps, and sintering at high temperatures in large furnaces, often in combination with high pressures. This leads to very high costs and limitations in terms of the scale of parts that can be produced, as joining is not possible without reintroduction of the whole assembly to the oven. This PhD aims to develop new lower cost, lower energy methods to produce and join these materials, whilst simultaneously achieving superior control of mechanical and thermal properties.

In the PhD, experimental studies will be undertaken to understand the fundamental principles of this new sintering technology alongside the development of numerical models to understand the thermal behaviour of the system during sintering. Test coupons, predominantly based on alumina-alumina CMCs in the first instance, will be fabricated and characterised using standard mechanical testing procedures, microscopy (optical and electron), and advanced characterisation methods such as in-situ mechanical testing with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and x-ray diffraction to provide insight in to optimal processing-microstructure-property relationships for these materials.

Candidate requirements:

Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1 ^st or 2.1, or international equivalent.

in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline. A Masters degree would be advantageous. Knowledge of composite materials and thermal/mechanical simulation would be beneficial.

Non-UK applicants, who are not currently studying in the UK, must meet the programme’s English language requirement before the application deadline – no exceptions will be considered.

Enquiries:

Informal enquiries are encouraged! Direct these to Dr James Roscow - [email protected]

Application Instructions

Please follow the below instructions carefully.

You must make a formal application via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Please note that you can apply for a maximum of two PhD projects on this programme.

In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, you must select ‘University of Bath URSA’ from one of the drop-down menus.

In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’

If you are applying for two projects, you must quote the project title for your second choice project in the field ‘Project 2 Title’ and the lead supervisor’s name in ‘Name of intended supervisor for 2 ^nd choice project at University of Bath.

You must ensure that you follow the above steps correctly. Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered for a particular project.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.

The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.

Keywords

Ceramic matrix composites, thermal simulation, sintering, ceramics, material characterisation