PhD in Chemical Engineering: Anti-fouling coatings for reduced waste

Award Summary

100% home fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate).  

Overview

The fouling of surfaces by microorganisms, limescale, and other deleterious substances is a huge economic and societal problem because it reduces efficacy (heat exchangers require more energy to run when they are fouled) and component lifetime, requiring early replacement and promoting waste. The achievement of net zero requires that materials remain efficient and in use for longer. Therefore, means to extend the lifetime of different components in different industries must be developed. We have recently developed a reversible glue targeted for use in recycling that is water-based, inexpensive, scalable, and has a long shelf life. This glue contains two emulsion formulations (it is made like a paint) that contain nanoparticles of different charge, one for each surface. When they are joined, electrostatic adhesion occurs. However, on their own as individual coatings, these formulations are expected to have biocidal (positively charged) or nonfouling (negatively charged) properties. Given their ease of synthesis, and ability to coat a multitude of different surfaces, they are potentially an inexpensive and effective means of protecting surfaces. When the coatings are beyond their own life, they may be removed using paint thinner and the surfaces recoated. In this project you will optimize the surfaces for biocidal or nonfouling applications, focusing primarily on bacterial contamination. You will join a wider team working on the reversible glue, which now includes electrical engineers. This community will support you as you develop and optimize these coatings for a successful PhD, and, hopefully, commercial exploitation.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

16th September 2024

Award Duration

3.5 years (3 years of fees + 3.5 years of stipend)

Application Closing Date

15th May 2024

Sponsor

Tony Trapp Endowment Fund

Supervisors

Professors Mark Geoghegan and Katarina Novakovic

Eligibility Criteria

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (inc. any physical sciences, computing, mathematics, engineering etc.). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements. 

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

This studentship is open to Home (UK) students only. 

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:  

• Search for ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8030F
• Research Area: Chemical Engineering
• Select ‘PhD Chemical Engineering (full time) - Chemical Engineering’

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:  

• A ‘Personal Statement’ (a mandatory field) - upload a document or write a statement directly in to the application form  
• The studentship code ENG138 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field  
• When prompted regarding your research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert. You do not need to upload a research proposal.  

Contact Details

mark.geoghegan@newcastle.ac.uk

katarina.novakovic@newcastle.ac.uk

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