Fully Funded EPSRC DTP and Salts Healthcare PhD Scholarship: Environmentally Green (Nano) Engineering Solutions for Replacing Plastics (RS216)

Funding providers: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) DTP and Salts Healthcare

Subject areas: Colloid and Interface Science, and Material Science

Project start date: 1 October 2023 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Project supervisors: 

Dr Shirin Alexander

Dr Alvin Orbaek White

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Energy Innovation

Mode of study: Full-time 

Project description: 

Plastic has distinct advantages and functionality which includes packaging to keep products sterilised and fresh as well as providing barrier function required for certain applications. However, between four and twelve million metric tons of plastic enters the oceans and landfills each year, threatening marine life and polluting our food.

The aim of this project is to create alternative sustainable materials as a replacement to plastic. In order to do this we are going to investigate and develop environmentally omniphobic (waterproof and oil proof) materials that can be applied as coatings to substitute materials such as paper and cardboards. This work can have numerous benefits for environment as well as improving the quality of life. This is because products coated with these materials can be recycled, have durability and used for longer, and can improve consumer’s satisfactions

Available resources/facilities:

The prospective student will be part of the Energy Safety Research Institute (ESRI). The new 3,800 m2 ESRI building represents Swansea University’s £38 million investment into energy on the new Bay Campus. It focuses on the safety issues surrounding the development and expansion of existing energy processes, as well as the safe deployment and integration of new 'green' energy technologies. The laboratory facilities are world leading, within the BREEM Outstanding building, that will enable the goals of the research project. Fume hoods suitable for handling sensitive compounds will be available for the project. In addition, all gas handling and safety equipment is available. Within ESRI and the Bay and Singleton Campuses the following facilities are available: surface tensiometry, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy (MS), UV-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic adsorption (AA) analysis, gas analyser, total organic content (TOC) measurement and 1H NMR spectroscopy. A full microscopy centre is available at the Bay Campus (TEM and SEM/EDX), while ESRI has its own SEM facility. In addition, suitable office space is available for the project and computer and IT support.

The student will enter a multi-disciplinary group in ESRI and thus will have significant peer and academic and administrative support.

Eligibility

Candidates must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in chemistry, engineering, mathematics, or physics or a master’s degree in a subject area related to the project. See ‘country specific information for European and international applicants (available at the bottom of the page)'. 

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality. 

NB: If you are holding a non-UK degree, please see Swansea University degree comparisons to find out if you meet the eligibility. 

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

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