This project is one of a number in competition for a studentship from the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath. If successful, this studentship is expected to commence 28 September 2026.
An alternative start date may be possible if agreed with your intended supervisors and the Doctoral College.
Project Background:
This project will investigate new low energy methods for manufacturing ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) with improved control over microstructure and therefore bulk mechanical and thermal properties. A new sintering technology will be explored whereby green ceramic bodies are heated through the absorption of optical energy from a high energy xenon flash lamp. This localised heating technology creates opportunities to completely disrupt current methods for producing these materials, which are typically energy-inefficient and slow. As the flash lamp energy can be targeted to heat the sample directly, this approach has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and increase production rates.
CMCs offer an unparalleled combination of excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability and chemical inertness. As such, they are critical materials for the future of aerospace and energy (particularly nuclear fusion) technologies. Their current use, however, is limited by challenges associated with their manufacturing, which require significant manual lay-up of fibre prepregs/preforms, multiple matrix infiltration, heating and curing steps, and sintering at high temperatures in large furnaces, often in combination with high pressures. This leads to very high costs and limitations to the scale of parts that can be produced. This PhD aims to develop new, lower cost, lower energy methods to produce these materials, whilst simultaneously achieving superior control of properties.
A combination of experimental and numerical modelling studies will be conducted to understand the fundamental principles of this new sintering technology and measure the thermal behaviour of the materials during sintering. Test coupons, predominantly based on alumina-alumina CMCs in the first instance, will be fabricated and characterised using standard mechanical testing procedures, microscopy (optical and electron), and advanced characterisation methods, such as in-situ mechanical testing with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and x-ray diffraction, to provide insight into optimal processing-microstructure-property relationships for these materials.
Candidate requirements:
Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1st or 2.1, or international equivalent. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants, who are not currently studying in the UK, must meet the programme’s English language requirement before the application deadline – no exceptions will be considered.
Candidates can choose the percentage balance between experimental and numerical modelling activities in the project to suit their skills and interests.
Informal enquiries are encouraged! Direct these to Prof David Williams - dpw40@bath.ac.uk
Please follow the below instructions carefully.
You must make a formal application via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering
Please note that you can apply for a maximum of two PhD projects on this programme.
In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, you must select ‘University of Bath URSA’ from one of the drop-down menus.
In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’
If you are applying for two projects, you must quote the project title for your second choice project in the field ‘Project 2 Title’ and the lead supervisor’s name in ‘Name of intended supervisor for 2nd choice project at University of Bath.
You must ensure that you follow the above steps correctly. Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered for a particular project.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.
Keywords
Ceramic Matrix Composites, sintering, numerical modelling, thermal measurement