PhD Studentship: Early-stage detection and characterisation of hydrogen-induced defects using ultrasonic arrays for enhanced structural integrity assessment

The project:

Motivation

The development of hydrogen energy technologies is central to the UK government's ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution, targeting a 40% reduction in gas consumption by 2030 and carbon-zero emissions by 2050. Ensuring the safe, sustainable operation of hydrogen storage and delivery systems, including the integrity of storage containers and pipelines, is essential to achieving these goals. However, as this transition is still in its early stages, there is a shortage of technologies specifically designed to detect and monitor hydrogen-induced defects. These defects, which can initiate at the microstructural level, pose significant risks, as they can lead to catastrophic failures in critical components, compromising safety and performance across hydrogen-related industries and impacting the aerospace, energy, and automotive sectors. Advanced detection and characterization of these early-stage defects are therefore crucial to supporting both industrial safety and the broader green energy transition.

Aim

The project aims to develop an ultrasonic array technique to detect issues in high-value hydrogen storage containers and pipelines, and, based on these results and structural integrity assessments, potentially monitor their health in situ if needed. The focus will be on detecting, characterising, and monitoring hydrogen-induced defects, such as blistering, embrittlement, and cracks. This will be achieved by integrating ultrasonic arrays with inverse modelling methods to interpret historical data. Additionally, the project will explore the failure mechanisms of these defects to better understand their development and impact on structural integrity.

As a PhD student, you will collaborate with academics from the UNDT group at the University of Bristol and have the opportunity to work with engineering teams at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This will provide you with valuable real-world experience within an industrial setting, allowing you to engage directly with workplace practices and culture.

How to apply:

Prior to submitting an online application, you will need to contact the project supervisor to discuss.

Online applications are made at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply. Please select Mechanical Engineering (PhD) on the Programme Choice page. You will be prompted to enter details of the studentship in the Funding and Research Details sections of the form.

Candidate requirements: 

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a merit at master’s degree level (or international equivalent) in a science, mathematics or engineering discipline. 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.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet this profile level: Profile E

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Funding:

Funded by EPSRC and MRC (Manufacturing Technology Centre). Minimum tax-free stipend at the current UKRI rate is £19,237 for 2024/25 (will increase each year), plus full-time home tuition fees. An additional £2,000 per annum is provided for consumables.

Funding is allocated through a competitive allocation process.

For eligibility and residence requirements please check the UKRI UK Research and Innovation website 

Contacts:

For questions about the research topic, please contact Dr Jie Zhang (J.Zhang@bristol.ac.uk).  

For questions about eligibility and the application process please contact Engineering Postgraduate Research Admissions admissions-engpgr@bristol.ac.uk

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