PhD Studentship: Multi-Phase Fluid Dynamics of Medicines During Transit

PhD Supervisor: Ivo Peters

Supervisory Team: Ivo Peters, Tim Waters

Project description:

The increasing use of drones and electric bikes offers exciting new opportunities for bespoke and efficient transportation of medical products. This is particularly beneficial for transporting emergency medication quickly or where medicines or patient samples have a shelf life measured in hours. However, new modes of transport also present fresh challenges to preserving their effectiveness and stability, particularly in liquid form. For instance, drone induced vibration can lead to the clumping of particles and eventual separation of the active ingredients from the liquid excipient they are suspended in. The reasons behind this aggregation and separation are not yet fully understood, making best practice in packaging and thresholds for vibration during transportation difficult to establish.

The aim of this project is to experimentally address the multiphase fluid dynamics of shaking vials and intravenous bags containing liquid medication. There are many parameters that we expect to influence the suspension of active ingredients. These include the frequency, amplitude and duration of vibration, head space, size and shape of the container, and type of excipient used to stabilise the solution. Experiments will be performed using high-speed imaging, where the focus will be on characterising surface deformation and entrainment of bubbles. Bubbles are expected to play an important role because surfactants present in the solution might generate a foam that would greatly increase the liquid-gas surface area, which would in turn contribute to clustering of active ingredients. Subsequent to observing the direct fluid dynamics resulting from shaking, you will develop a diagnostic tool based on fluorescence where changes in concentrations of active ingredients will be correlated to the observed multiphase phenomena.

In this project you will be supervised by a multidisciplinary team with academics in the fields of multiphase fluid mechanics, shock and vibration engineering and pharmaceutical science. 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 School of Engineering.

Entry Requirements

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

Closing date: 31 April 2024.

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships.  For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton  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

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