PhD Studentship: Nanoporous Materials for Energy Absorption

Nanoporous materials such as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have their applications in mechanical energy absorption. For example, MOFs can offer extremely small hydrophobic pores that are comparable to the size of water molecules, squeezing liquid water into these tiny nanopores can create large solid-liquid interfaces and dissipate huge amount of mechanical energy. Flexible MOFs can also have structural transitions under mechanical pressure to absorb energy. Mechanical energy absorption through these mechanisms can be amplified by their large surface area and porosity, leading to a much higher efficiency than conventional materials.

This research is highly interdisciplinary, so we invite applications from candidates across all relevant areas, including but not limited to:

• Chemistry: NanoporousMaterial Synthesis (MOFs, COFs, zeolites, polymer, silica), Crystallography, Spectroscopy
• Physics: Nanofluidics (nanoscale water), Molecular Dynamics, Thermodynamics
• Materials: Colloids, Gel, Polymer
• Mechanics: Solid Mechanics, Impact Mechanics, Vibration, Dynamics, Acoustics, Rheology
• Engineering: Mechanical Design, Mechatronics, Sustainability

Applicants should have 1st class (or equivalent) in their first degree in one of the disciplines above. Those wishing to apply should email Dr Yueting Sun with CV.

The University of Birmingham is a top 100 world’s leading university. We are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and offering a supportive environment for people to thrive. You will have access to state-of-the-art chemistry, materials and mechanics facilities in our group, across the campus, and at central synchrotron facilities. You will benefit from the interactions with the fantastic local community and world-leading collaborators in porous materials and engineering. You will also be supported to develop your skills, research identity, and network, including funding for your professional and career development.

The project will be supervised by Dr Yueting Sun (y.sun.9@bham.ac.uk).

Funding notes: If successful, this award will pay tuition fee and a maintenance grant.

References:

Sun, Y., Rogge, S.M., Lamaire, A., Vandenbrande, S., Wieme, J., Siviour, C.R., Van Speybroeck, V. and Tan, J.C., 2021. High-rate nanofluidic energy absorption in porous zeolitic frameworks. Nature Materials, 20(7), pp.1015-1023.
Sun, Y. and Jiang, H., 2023. Energy Absorption of Metal-Organic Frameworks. in Mechanical Behaviour of Metal-Organic Framework Materials, Royal Society of Chemistry, pp.267-338. 

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