PhD Studentship: Exploring Advanced Materials for Mitigating Cavitation Damage

Supervisory Team: Ivo Peters

Project description

Cavitation damage poses a substantial threat to equipment across various industries, impacting performance, increasing maintenance costs, causing downtime, and posing safety and environmental risks. This PhD project aims to deepen our understanding of cavitation bubble dynamics near complex geometries and boundaries with non-Newtonian properties. By investigating the influence of geometric features on porous surfaces, observing the interaction between bubbles and non-Newtonian fluids, and exploring the potential of dual-material boundaries, we seek to engineer materials that can mitigate cavitation damage and noise effectively.

Objectives:

• Characterize the influence of geometric features on porous surfaces on cavitation bubble dynamics.
• Quantify the two-way interaction between bubbles and interfaces with non-Newtonian fluids.
• Investigate the properties of dual-material boundaries to design materials with a specified influence on nearby cavitation bubble dynamics.

The research will employ laser-induced cavitation to experimentally explore the dynamics of cavitation bubbles near complex boundaries in three key steps:

• Generate cavitation bubbles in close proximity to porous materials to understand their influence on bubble dynamics.
• Use non-Newtonian fluids, including granular materials and yield-stress fluids, to observe and quantify the interaction between bubbles and interfaces.
• Investigate bubble dynamics near dual-material boundaries to assess the potential for engineering materials with dual properties.

We are seeking candidates with a strong background in mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, or a related field. Experience in experimental techniques, fluid dynamics, and materials science will be advantageous. You will join an enthusiastic, friendly, and supportive team of PhD students and postdocs that all work on different experimental and numerical fluids projects within the Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Research Group.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Ivo Peters. Email: i.r.peters@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 4643.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date:

Applications should be received no later than 31 August 2024 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Funding:

Funding for tuition fees and a living stipend are available on a competitive basis. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Ivo Peters

Applications should include:

• Research Proposal
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

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