PhD Study : The Development of Conductive Polymer Composites for Medical Device Applications

Summary

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship tenable in the Faculty of Computing and Engineering at Ulster University based at the Jordanstown campus. The PhD studentship is funded as part of the EU INTERREG North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and provides full funding for both international and home PhD Researchers.

Project Background: North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing

A project supported by the EU’s PEACE IV/ INTERREG VA programme, managed by the Special EU programmes body (SEUPB). This project aims to create an Advanced Manufacturing super cluster combining the collective and complementary strengths of the Engineering Research Institute at Ulster University; the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at Glasgow University; the PEM Centre at Sligo Institute of Technology; and CoLab at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. The project bid was co-ordinated by Catalyst Inc. This project includes themes on sustainable manufacturing of advanced polymers, additive manufacturing, and manufacturing technology for nanoscience applications.  The project will enable regional Health & Life Sciences companies, predominately based in the North West, to develop new products and processes; thereby, strengthening the Regional economy.

Rationale

Polymeric materials are used in numerous applications today due to their low density, ease of forming and relatively low cost. These materials are insulating by nature but many potential applications require good thermal conductivity in order to be effective. Polymers can be made conductive through the addition of various conductive materials but the challenge is to ensure that such materials do not alter the processability of the polymer or lead to a reduction in other properties. There is also a challenge involved in making a part that has good conductivity in all directions as many polymer processing operations produce a part that is only conductive in the flow direction of the polymer.

Project Details

This project will focus on the development of materials and processing techniques to achieve enhanced thermal conductivity in polymers for medical device applications but the materials developed will also have applications in areas outside the medical sector. The work will be carried out using state of the art processing and characterisation facilities at Ulster University and also in NIACE, The Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre. The PhD student will work closely with a global leader in medical diagnostic systems in the development of these new materials.

Applications will be considered on a competitive basis with regard to the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and interests. Candidates should hold, or expect to hold, a first class or upper second class honours degree (as a minimum) in a relevant Engineering or Materials Science discipline. The admission process and programme of study will proceed according to Ulster University regulations and requirements.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

This project is supported by the European Union's INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The studentship comprises of full fees (this includes international fees if appropriate) and an annual stipend of £14,553. Studentships will be awarded on a full-time basis for a three-year period, subject to satisfactory progress being made towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.