PhD Studentship - Fabrication of Topological Open Pore Structures via Laser based Additive Manufacturing and Dealloying

Funding: The studentship is open to both home and overseas applicants and will cover both the cost of tuition fee and a yearly stipend (at UKRI rate) over the course of the PhD programme.

Industrial Partner: Cooksongold

Industrial supervisors:

Oxana Magdysyuk, oxana.magdysyuk@diamond.ac.uk, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Didcot, UK.
Selassie Dorvlo - Selassie.Dorvlo@cooksongold.com

Supervisor(s): Dr Biao Cai - b.cai@bham.ac.uk

Duration of the project: 4 years

Project Description:

Crystals can form fascinating topologies during solidification, which often control the functional and mechanical properties of materials. However, the dynamic evolution of the crystal topology of metallic alloys during rapid solidification such as laser powder bed fusion needs to be better understood and utilization of these 3D nano-/meso-structures for functional applications such as catalyst and energy storage are limited. The project aims to explore liquid metal dealloying approaches to extract and fabricate 3D nano-/ nano-/meso- porous structures with topologies controlled during rapid solidification.

During solidification of metallic alloys, crystals with various topologies (Fig. 1) will form, often controlling the functional and mechanical properties of materials. However, the dynamic evolution of the crystal topology of metallic alloys during rapid solidification needs to be better understood. Liquid metal dealloying (LMD) has been developed rapidly over the last couple of years to fabricate 3D nano-/meso-structures with open porosity, with potential applications such as catalyst and energy storage. However, limited work has been done on producing designed and controlled microstructures during solidification and then using LMD to extract and fabricate the 3D porous structures. Understanding the mechanism and dynamic of the solidification processes of various microstructures will provide the theoretical and practical tools for controlled design of required 3D porous structures for a wide range of applications.

This project aims to gain understanding in topological evolution during metal solidification and fabricate topological nano-/meso- porous structures via liquid metal dealloying.

Objective 1: Carry out synchrotron experiments to investigate the topological evolution of lattice structures formed during rapid solidification of metal alloys using synchrotron tomography.
Objective 2: Analyse collected synchrotron tomograms using advanced 3D imaging processing including topological imaging analysis.
Objective 3: Manufacture and characterize 3D nano-/meso- porous structures using liquid metal dealloying, topologically controlled during solidification.

General Eligibility requirements:

An undergraduate degree in an appropriate branch of Engineering (e.g., Materials, Chemical), or the Physical Sciences (e.g., Bioscience, Physics, Chemistry), or other related disciplines with at least 2(i) honours or equivalent. 
An interest in interdisciplinary sciences and engineering, with an enthusiasm for communication. 
Evidenced mathematical ability appropriate to undergraduate discipline.
No prior knowledge of topology or topological physics is required. 
Strong supportive references and additional academic achievements (e.g., placements, research work, papers or presentations).

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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