PhD in Advanced Composites – Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovation for Sustainable Composites Engineering

The project:

Practical feasibility assessment of Polymer-Based Structural Composite Energy Storage sponsored by Syensqo

Supervisor: Professor Steve Eichhorn

Structural energy storage is a fast evolving aspect of composite materials science to enable part of the structure of a vehicle to not only provide stiffness and lightweighting, but also some of the power for its operation. The value proposition for structural energy storage requires that composite structures replace some of the function provided by energy storage devices such as batteries or capacitors; whilst retaining the ability to perform as load bearing elements of aircraft, cars or electronic devices. The PhD project will:

• Conduct an electrochemical characterisation to explore and prioritise the trade-offs for a composite part containing a structural battery in terms of its ability to consistently charge and discharge
• Investigate the tolerance of the structural composite to manufacturing processes, resistance to load, including impacts, and to environmental conditions, such as temperature and moisture 
• Conduct novel research to provide an embedded structural composite battery concept by identifying of the best in class structural composite battery system once it has been incorporated into a test coupon or larger composite part
• Excite your interest in creating multifunctional materials to provide a key development in sustainable transportation. 

How to apply:

To apply please submit a personal statement, outlining your experience and why you are interested in the PhD project, your CV and transcript of results to https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/.

Please do not submit a project description; this is unnecessary as the project is already defined.

Please select PhD in Advance Composites and enter Professor Janice Barton the Director of the CDT as the 2^nd supervisor (janice.barton@bristol.ac.uk)

Candidate requirements:  Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum a 2:1 MEng or merit at Masters level or equivalent in engineering, physics or chemistry. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree and performance at interview.

Funding: An enhanced stipend of £25,789 (based on UKRI 2024/25 rate), a fee waiver and generous research financial support for the successful candidates.

Contact: isce-cdt@bristol.ac.uk

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