PhD Studentship: Composite Biodegradable Polymer Microcapsules with Tailored Properties for Microencapsulation and Controlled Release Applications

A PhD studentship is available within the Particle Microfluidics Group at the Department of Chemical Engineering of Loughborough University to synthesise composite biodegradable microcapsules with tailored properties using state-of-the-art microfluidic technology.

Microfluidic technology offers unprecedented opportunities for the reproducible production of polymer microcapsules with highly controlled size, shape and morphology using tiny volumes of reagents and precise microchannel geometry. Mechanical and functional properties of microcapsules can be tailored by incorporating various nanoparticles within the host polymer such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and inorganic oxides such as TiO2, ZnO, and Fe3O4.

The objectives of this project are:

• to synthesize novel microspheres and core/shell microcapsules with controlled morphology, size, surface charge, and chemical structure from biodegradable and biocompatible polymers using innovative microfluidic technologies
• to modify capsule properties by incorporating functional nanoparticles in the polymer matrix
• to characterise microcapsules for their chemical, thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties, and (iv) to investigate the encapsulation and controlled/triggered release of encapsulated drugs, cells, enzymes and other functional ingredients from the fabricated microcapsules

The successful candidate will use analytical and microscopy techniques (DSC, TGA, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRD, TEM, fluorescence microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy) to investigate physical and chemical properties of the microcapsules and their encapsulation and release behaviour.

Funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

The AACME Studentship competition offers the chance for UK and International applicants who are interested in undertaking a PhD to have their full-time studies paid for.

Applicants could receive full or partial funding for 3 years, including a tax-free stipend of £17,668 (2022/23 rates) per annum, and/or a tuition fee waiver.

Studentships will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who have applied to advertised projects within AACME with the reference ‘AACME-23-XXX'. Successful candidates will be notified by the end of March 2023.

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