PhD Studentship: Design and Implementation of a Self-sealing Specimen Chamber to Allow Shock Loading of Hazardous Materials

Theme: Defence and Security

Research Project Title: Design and implementation of a self-sealing specimen chamber to allow shock loading of hazardous materials

Application closing date: 19/06/2024

Shrivenham Campus based students start date: 07/10/2024

Type of Opportunity: Fully-funded studentship

Eligibility & Related Project Details: Fee status of eligible applicants: UK only

Funding Eligibility: Applicants must pass a baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check to be eligible for this funding.

Duration of Award if full time preferred*: 3 years

1^st Supervisor: Dr Jon Painter   

2nd Supervisor: Prof Gareth Appleby-Thomas 

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Intro Paragraph: This PhD will be concerned with the development and proving of a self-sealing containment vessel, to be attached to a gas gun, to enable the study of the shock response of hazardous materials by AWE, the project sponsor. The stipend for the PhD is £19,000 p.a. for a 3-year period. The research will include elements of mechanical design and manufacture, materials behaviour in extreme environments and instrumentation. Regular meetings with AWE colleagues will provide additional support. 

Brief outline of area/discipline the project relates to and its relevance today: High velocity impacts on targets can generate shock waves which travel through the target material. The response of the material to such extreme impacts is of interest to many areas of engineering, in particular the defence sector. Gas guns are used to enable fine control over the shock loading of targets to study the material response. The goal of the research project is to enable the study of materials which cannot be currently studied in the UK.

Project Focus/Aim: The purpose of the project is to design and prove a self-sealing containment vessel that can be attached to the muzzle of a gas gun. This would enable the study of materials which would constitute a hazardous contamination risk if undertaken in an open laboratory. The containment vessel must be attachable to the gas gun in a manner that prevents damage to the gas gun, or the containment vessel, upon firing at velocities up to 1km/s.

Cranfield overview and Sponsor Information/Background: The research will be undertaken at the Cranfield University’s Shrivenham campus (School of Defence and Security), on the site of the Defence Academy of the UK. CDS has decades of experience of gas gun experiments, including recovery systems which enable controlled shock experiments.

Expected impact/results of research project: The resultant containment system will enable the safe exploration of the shock response of hazardous materials. This will be a unique UK capability. This will contribute knowledge to both the defence sector and in improvement of safety.  

What will the student gain from experience: The project will incorporate challenging aspects of mechanical design and material behaviour in extreme conditions. It also gives the opportunity to work with colleagues in AWE for those interested in employment within the MOD / defence industries.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline. This project would suit a mechanical or materials engineer.

How to apply

For further information please contact:      
Name: Dr Jon Painter
Email: j.d.painter@cranfield.ac.uk

Academic profile link: Dr Jonathan Painter (cranfield.ac.uk)        

Application link: IPP login screen (cranfield.ac.uk) 

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