Energy Innovation: Fully Funded KESS II MSc by Research Scholarship: Upcycling of plastic materials from healthcare sector
*This scholarships is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) programme for East Wales.*
Start date: October 2019
Plastics are made of carbon, so are carbon nanotubes and graphene. We are using waste plastic materials as feedstock to make carbon nanomaterials. On a weight/weight basis that is creating a ~100 fold increase in value for the same carbon, that’s a penny’s on the pound increase in value. Plus, it could have untold positive environmental impact too.
The researcher will carry out chemical reactions in order to prepare plastic materials for chemical recycling. Chemical recycling entails the use of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process to create carbon nanotubes, and/or graphene. In particular, the researcher will focus on developing a simple, single protocol for converting mixed streams of plastics (and similar materials) into nanomaterials. Materials are characterised using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. All skills, training, and background will be delivered to the researcher.
In short, this work can prevent the build-up of material in landfill sites, thus decreasing environmental impact of plastic refuse in the environment.
Scholarships are collaborative awards with external partners including SMEs and micro companies, as well as public and third sector organisations. The scholarship provides 1 year funding with a 3 month period to complete the thesis. The achievement of a postgraduate skills development award, PSDA, is compulsory for each KESS II scholar and is based on a 40 credit award.