PhD Studentship in Aeronautics: Programmable matter from entangled architected materials (AE0088)

Start Date: Between 1 August 2027 and 1 July 2028

Application deadline: 23.59, 4 January 2027 (UK time)

Robots, software and digital memory can be reprogrammed after they are built. Materials, by contrast, have mechanical behaviour that is fixed at manufacture. This PhD will investigate whether that behaviour can be reprogrammed after fabrication.

You will study architected entangled materials: networks of curved filaments whose stiffness and toughness arise from how the filaments interweave and contact one another. Fabrics and ropes are familiar examples. In these networks, small changes in contact and friction can produce very large changes in mechanical response.

The project will exploit this sensitivity by driving a weak deformation mode, orthogonal to the deformations caused by external loads, to reprogram the network. Ordinary loading does not activate this mode, so the network remains stiff and tough in service. Driving the mode deliberately changes the contact state and releases the network.

Potential applications include spacecraft trusses that can be reconfigured after launch, and wearable braces that stiffen to protect a joint and soften to allow movement.

Key objectives:

• Understand how contact and friction govern stiffness and toughness in each state
• Establish how driving a deformation mode that external loads do not activate changes the contact state
• Determine the range of loading over which this mode remains inactive
• Identify what limits the contrast in stiffness between the two states
• The project is approximately 50% experimental, 40% computational and 10% theoretical.

You will join the AIM Lab, a new group in the Department of Aeronautics. As one of its first members, you will help shape the group.

You will develop expertise in the mechanics of slender structures, contact and friction, and the geometry of filament networks. You will fabricate specimens using multi-material 3D printing and a robotic fabrication cell, test them mechanically, and write simulation code to model them.

You will present at international conferences, including the annual meeting of the Society of Engineering Science and the Functionality through Nonlinearity conference. Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute provides training in research and career skills.

Supervisor: Dr Tian Chen

Duration: 3.5 years.

Funding: Full tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £23,805 for Home, EU and International students. Find out about fee status.

Eligibility: Candidates will be expected to achieve/have achieved a First class honours MEng/MSci or higher degree (or international equivalent) in: Aeronautics, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering or physical science subject.

We are looking for: Experience of finite element analysis or of writing simulation code, ideally for slender structures; Fabrication or mechanical testing experience is an advantage; An interest in geometry and topology; No prior knowledge of textiles is expected, Willingness to work both in the laboratory and computationally.

How to apply:

Visit Programmable matter from entangled architected materials for important application instructions.

Contact: For project questions: Dr Tian Chen

For admissions questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

If your question is not answered, email: PhD Administrator (Admissions)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Imperial is committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

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