Modelling capability for chemical aging of gun propellants

Overview

Conventional propellants degrade over time at rates depending on factors such as their composition as well as external variables like storage temperature. Unfavourable conditions could reduce by many years the service life of munitions, as it could lead to spontaneous ignition and unplanned explosions with huge consequences. Understanding, measuring and predicting the propellants’ degradation mechanisms under different environmental conditions is vital for the safe storage of munitions.

Project Aim

This research project, in collaboration with BAE Systems, will focus on collecting data and developing a model to accurately predict the shelf life of the munitions under different surrounding environmental conditions.

Sponsorship Information and Background

Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) provide unique educational opportunities to the Defence and security sectors of both public and private sector organisations. Based at the UK Defence Academy at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire, CDS is the academic provider to the UK Ministry of Defence for postgraduate education, training in engineering, science, acquisition, management and leadership.

BAE Systems, a strategic partner with CDS, is a global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of military systems and services for air, land and naval forces. BAE Systems Land UK also has an ambitious growth target, into which new and disruptive technologies will play an important role.

Expected Impact of Research Project

The resulting model will help the effective life cycle management of munitions. This ranges from the procurement to disposal of munitions, including minimising the risk of unplanned explosion during storage. This will support Smart Qualification/Agile Assessment of propellants as part of qualification activities at BAE Systems as well as safety assessments of old stores, enabling them to be either re-lifed or disposed of appropriately with minimal physical testing or firing.

Unique Selling Points

The scholarship will cover travel and subsistence to attend national and international conferences. The student will have the opportunity to attend at CDS, relevant courses across all disciplines relevant to the project free of charge. A minimum of three months placement for the student at BAE Systems Land UK (within the duration of the PhD project) is also expected.

What will you gain from this Experience?

This multidisciplinary research project will allow the student to gain experience with analytical chemistry tools and develop predictive models for an application in the defence sector.

Location

Based at the UK Defence Academy at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire, CDS is the academic provider to the UK Ministry of Defence for postgraduate education at the Defence Academy, training in engineering, science, acquisition, management and leadership.

Entry requirements

This opportunity is open to UK and NATO countries students. Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This interdisciplinary project would suit students with a degree in chemistry, natural sciences, engineering, computational sciences or other scientific backgrounds. Candidates with strong mathematical, machine learning, artificial intelligence or modelling skills are welcome. Cranfield University is committed to accept all students including those from underrepresented groups and different social economic groups.

How to Apply

A CV and short cover letter justifying your case to secure the opportunity is required.

For further information please contact:    

Name: Dr Nathalie Mai

Email: n.mai@cranfield.ac.uk

Phone: 01793785358 or 01234988448.

If you are eligible to apply for this studentship, please complete the online application form.