MRes: Measuring the Expansion of Waxes Upon Melting at High Pressure

The studentship is with University of Salford and Paramelt

Academic Supervisor: Dr. John Proctor

Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr. Marina Leontiadou

Industrial Supervisors: Neill Dutton

The studentship is fully funded and includes:

• A fee waiver
• A stipend of £19,237 p.a. for 12 months
• All bench fees and consumable costs

Final date for applications: 10^th December 2024

Interviews will be held on: TBC

The candidate must be in a position to register in January 2025.

Description:

The Materials and Physics Research Group at The University of Salford has recently developed a new all-optical method to directly measure the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) equation of state (EOS) of fluids and transparent solids in the diamond anvil high pressure cell by measuring the volume of the sample chamber. The new method combines confocal microscopy and white light interference with a new analysis method which exploits the mutual dependence of sample and refractive index. This new analysis method allows to obtain a set values for the density and refractive index which are mutually consistent, with a calculated error of <3% at high temperature.

Paramelt is a global producer of wax blends, adhesives and specialty dispersions with over 125 years of experience and manufacturing sites in the Netherlands, UK, US and China. Their products are required to be highly specialised and innovative, in order to be applied to a variety of end use applications.

Paramelt is actively exploring new applications for their expansion waxes that will require them to operate in a variety of conditions. The company therefore is looking to expand their knowledge on wax expansion.

The aim of this project is to use and optimize this new novel methodology, while informing Paramelt’s knowledge. The proposed experiments will evaluate a range of proprietary expansion waxes in solid and liquid state, including their volume change measurements at different pressures and the characterization of their different melting curve paths.

This project also aims to contribute to the improvement of the accuracy of this novel method and contribute to a research paper.

Candidates: Should have a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree in physics or a related discipline. Experience of performing optical spectroscopy, diamond anvil cell experiments and/or equation of state measurements on hot fluids would be desirable.

Funding Eligibility: This studentship is only available to students with settled status in the UK, as classified by EPSRC eligibility. Please visit: www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/career-and-skills-development/studentships/industrial-case

Enquiries: Informal enquiries may be made to Dr John Proctor by email: J.E.Proctor@salford.ac.uk

Curriculum vitae, supporting statement explaining their interest and a brief research proposal (no more than 3 pages) outlining the proposed methods to achieve the aims, set out above, should be sent to m.watts@salford.ac.uk

Note to applicant: In addition to applying for this role the successful candidate will also be required to complete the University application process which applies to all students wishing to study at The University of Salford. How to apply for research studies can be found here:    www.salford.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying/applying-for-research

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