Material Science & Mechanical Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC PhD Scholarship: Multi-Functional Materials for Soft Robotics by Additive Manufacturing

Soft robotics stands at the forefront of robotics research, offering adaptability, safety, and multifunctionality that surpass traditional rigid robotic systems. However, current advancements are constrained by the use of singular smart materials, which limit multifunctional capabilities such as high gripping strength, dynamic responsiveness to multiple stimuli, and greater degrees of freedom, while maintaining structural integrity and rapid actuation.

Smart materials such as magnetic and shape memory materials offer a promising solution to these limitations due to their complementary properties - magnetic materials provide softness and dynamic actuation, while shape memory materials contribute rigidity and adaptability. Despite their potential, integrating these materials into actuators or sensors for soft robotic systems remains a significant challenge.

Additive manufacturing (AM)/3D printing of smart materials (also widely known as 4D printing) uniquely enables the integration of two or more smart materials into a single structure, unlocking their combined benefits. This project aims to develop multi-material smart material systems via 3D printing that combines the shape-memory effect with magnetic functionality for advanced soft robotics with enhanced dexterity, greater degrees of freedom (DoF), and complex multi-actuation capabilities.

The PhD research will involve the following:

• Material Formulations: Developing and optimising material formulations for 3D printing, focusing on tailoring the mechanical and functional properties of magnetic and shape memory materials.
• System Design and Manufacturing: Employing a unique multi-material 3D printing technique (jetting or direct ink writing) to integrate magneto-shape memory materials with embedded electronics for controllable actuation and sensing. This phase will focus on creating actuator/morphing and sensor elements responsive to magnetic fields and heat.
• Characterisation and Device Development and Testing: Characterisation of printed materials using advanced techniques including but not limited to viscoelasticity (rheometry, DMA), thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), mechanical testing (tensile, compression), and morphological analysis (SEM). Finally, actuator and sensor prototypes will be fabricated with optimum properties of printed materials and demonstrate combined responsiveness of magnetic and shape memory materials with improved dexterity and DoF for soft robotics.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for the emerging field of smart materials and 3D printing, aiming to develop new approaches in soft robotics research. They should have a background in materials science and engineering, 3D printing, or a related field, and be willing to collaborate with and explore other disciplines, including physics. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with experts in smart materials and structures, focusing on both manufacturing and simulation. They will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities at the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (M2RI) at Swansea University.

Funding Details

Funding Comment

This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees for UK and International students and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with UKRI minimum rates.

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

EPSRC DTP 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.  

International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.

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