This advert will close once a suitable candidate has been found.

This PhD is one of a number of projects hosted by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Green Industrial Futures (CDT-GIF). We are offering pioneering research projects that will enable PhD researchers to explore key technologies and solutions that will support UK industry to reach net zero.

Project: This project aims to investigate new methods for fabricating materials for electrochemical energy devices, such as fuel cells and solid state-batteries. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a ‘hot topic’ combining aspects of materials engineering and materials chemistry. The project will involve a lot of hands-on experimental work, ranging from ceramic processing, materials characterization, and testing functional properties.

Conventional sintering of ceramics requires high temperatures (>1000 °C) to densify powder preforms and full sintering cycles can take more than 24 hours. As well as being energetically costly, the high temperatures and timescales involved inhibit co-processing of dissimilar materials for electrodes, packaging etc. In the past decade, new techniques have emerged that drastically reduce the temperatures and/or the time required for sintering. These include ‘cold sintering’, in which a transient liquid phase aids densification under high pressures (> 250 MPa), moderate temperatures (< 300 °C) and timescales (1-2 hours), and ‘blacklight’ sintering, where the absorption of high-energy light locally heats and densifies ceramics in minutes rather than hours. Whilst the proof-of-principle of these methods has been demonstrated and they are seen as having excellent potential for reducing the energy requirements across ceramic manufacturing industries, functional properties cannot currently compete those of conventionally manufactured materials due to a lack of understanding of the sintering mechanisms. Without this, adequately controlling the manufacturing process, and therefore material properties, is impossible.

This project aims to understand of the mechanisms driving densification in these new low energy methods, which will be used to leverage cold and blacklight sintering to fabricate high performance functional ceramics for energy applications, e.g. fuel cells and solid-state batteries. The reduced temperatures and timescales present exciting opportunities for engineering material properties by forming heterogenous micro- and defect-structures not achievable using conventional processing routes. This will provide a route towards competing with and ultimately outperforming functional ceramics produced by conventional methods.

Supervisors: Dr James Roscow and Dr George Harrington

CDT in Green Industrial Futures: The CDT is funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and is a partnership between Heriot Watt University, Imperial College London, and the Universities of Sheffield and Bath. The CDT is further supported by contributions from industrial partners. Bringing these leading universities together allows CDT-GIF students access to a wide range of academic expertise, resources and facilities.

The CDT-GIF has an exciting and challenging programme specifically designed for top performing junior researchers. Alongside the four-year research project, students will receive expert training and opportunities to contextualise their research within the wider net zero landscape, including:

• Residential taught courses at each of the partner universities in Years 1 and 2 that provide training in the systematic considerations for industry including: Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), technoeconomics, business models, policy & regulation, public engagement, plant operation.
• An international opportunity in Year 2 or 3 of the programme, including opportunities to visit a world-leading facility, conference or forum and explore the global context of industrial decarbonisation.
• A work placement with one of our industrial partners.
• A bespoke ‘net-zero leadership programme’, including regular exchanges with cohort members from the other universities, student-led activities, industry challenge sandpit, industrial site visits, and professional development opportunities.

Candidate requirements: As a minimum we require candidates to have a First-class or 2:1 Meng, MSc, or MA with merit (over 60%) in a relevant area i.e. Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics. Applicants who have a First-class BSc/BEng (Hons) and can demonstrate significant relevant industry/research experience may also be considered.

Candidates should be aware of and meet any additional entry requirements for the university hosting the PhD studentship.

Non-native English speakers must ensure they meet the English language requirements .

Enquiries and applications. Informal enquiries regarding the research project can be directed to Sophia Coe [email protected] . Alternatively, if you have a question regarding the wider CDT-GIF programme, please contact [email protected] .

Formal applications can be made here: https://greenindustrialfutures.site.hw.ac.uk/the-programme/how-to-apply/ Applications are open until filled so we would encourage early application.

The initial application involves an application form (including a short personal statement and CV). You may select up to two CDT-GIF projects. Applicants will then be selected to interview. If successful at interview, candidates will be asked to complete the application process for the home university.

Funding notes. The programme is four years and starts in Oct 2024. Funding includes full UK fees, stipend (2024/25 stipend is £19,237 excluding London weighting), plus budget for travel and consumables. The positions are in the first instance for UK students. There are limited spaces for overseas students.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion . We warmly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our programme values diversity as a cornerstone of innovation and collaboration, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to thrive. The CDT-GIF are committed to ensuring flexibility throughout our programme to support student’s needs and personal circumstances, for example those with medical conditions, caring responsibilities and other considerations. For example, we are open to exploring part-time options if appropriate for the nature of the research.

Project keywords: Functional ceramics, low energy sintering, ion conductors