Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC iCASE and TATA Steel PhD Scholarship: Development of Biomimetic Insulation Foams

Job title:

Chemical Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC iCASE and TATA Steel PhD Scholarship: Development of Biomimetic Insulation Foams

Company

Job description

Offer DescriptionFunding providers: EPSRC iCASE and TATA Steel UKSubject areas: Chemistry, materials science, engineeringProject start date:

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors:

• Primary- Professor Peter Holliman (

) * Second supervisor- Professor Ian MabbettAligned programme of study: PhD in Chemical EngineeringMode of study: Full-timeProject description:Tata Steel BSUK’s current sandwich panel insulation products offer an outstanding combination of light weight, low thermal conductivity and high fire resistance performance characteristics. However, the polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid foam core that offers so many in-use benefits is currently made using chemicals derived largely from fossil fuels. Particularly problematic is the isocyanate component that makes up approximately 50% of the formulation but which is entirely fossil fuel-based. Hence, this project seeks to develop an alternative PIR foam that at least matches all the existing in-use performance characteristics of PIR foam but which is manufactured using either a bio-based isocyanate or is generated entirely without the use of an isocyanate.In seeking to develop a foam formulation containing a bio-based isocyanate, there will be a strong emphasis on generating the material from a biomass source that is cheap, readily available and relatively easy to make. Compatibility with the polyol component of the formulation is vital to foam quality and consistency and is an important aspect of the experimental work. The scaling potential of the biomass conversion process will also be considered and, if required, methods to improve the speed etc will be investigated.A few laboratory-scale examples of non-isocyanate polyurethane foam systems have been demonstrated in the literature and will form the starting point for the current work. This appears to be a relatively new field and offers great development scope but vital to a successful outcome will be the suitability of the kinetics to a foaming reaction. This unknown will be studied and, if necessary, methodologies will be developed to ensure compatibility.Analysis and testing of development materials will form a key part of the project and a range of state of the art characterisation facilities is available at Swansea University. These are further supported by performance testing facilities (e.g. fire) at BSUK’s manufacturing facility at Shotton in North Wales.Financial margins in the construction sector tend to be very tight so any new developments must offer outstanding performance at a competitive price. The cost implications and scale-up potential of any new insulation material are vital to product success and such considerations will form the basis of a technoeconomic analysis.RequirementsResearch Field Engineering Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalentSkills/QualificationsCandidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements.English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.Specific RequirementsThis scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.UKRI iCASE studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students. We are still accepting applications from international applicants. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.ATASPlease note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance,ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer.Additional InformationBenefitsThis scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237 plus an additional set payment of £1,500 per year.Additional research expenses will also be available.Eligibility criteriaCandidates must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. If you are eligible to apply for the scholarship but do not hold a UK degree, you can check our comparison entry requirements.English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.UKRI iCASE studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students. We are still accepting applications from international applicants. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.ATASPlease note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance,ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer.Selection processPlease visit our website for more information.Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Swansea University Country United Kingdom GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact State/ProvinceSwansea CitySwansea WebsiteStreetSingleton Park Postal CodeSA2 8PPSTATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Swansea

Job date

Sun, 05 May 2024 06:09:13 GMT

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