Characterisation of physicochemical properties of engineering thermoplastic nano-composites.
Application Deadline: 25th January 2013
Supervisor: Dr James Njuguna
Duration of award: 1 year (Full-time)
Award type: MSc by Research
Funded by the European Commission Life+ programme, Cranfield University offers this MSc by Research with up to £10,000 available p.a. with UK/EU fees included*
Nanostructures, with one or more dimensions in the 100mm size range, exhibit a variety of unique and tuneable chemical and physical properties when engineered appropriately.
The high degree of variability in size and surface chemistry of nano-scale materials in the coatings, crystal structure, shape and composition used in preparing thermoplastic fibre-reinforced nano-composites, increase both their complexity and the multiple permutations that must be considered in their evaluation.
This project will consider the property-structure relationship of the fibre reinforced nano-composites and involve injection moulding manufacturing and the microscopic properties evaluation of the samples using electron microscopy (both scanning electron microscopy and transition electron microscopy). Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), laser-based particle size analysis, scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), condensation particle counter (CPC) and the surface zeta potential will also be considered. The measurements will be standardised using sampling protocols identified by FP7 project partners.
For an initial discussion about the project, please contact Dr James Njuguna j.njuguna@cranfield.ac.uk
Anticipated Start date: asap
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a First or Second Class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Technology, Nanotechnology or Materials Science. An MSc in a relevant subject is highly desirable. Knowledge or experience of polymer molecular simulations is advantageous.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to proceed to PhD studies at month 9 of MSc by Research studies.
Funding
*Applicants are eligible for a bursary of up to £10,000 p.a. for the duration of the award dependent upon qualifications and experience. This studentship will cover the tuition fees for qualified UK/EU students only. Non UK/EU students are required to pay Cranfield University Tuition Fees, find out more at http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/fees
How to apply
To apply for this studentship please click on the apply button
Keywords: Polymer nano-composites, structural nano-composites, Materials engineering, Lightweight Materials and Structures, characterisation, injection moulding