Materials Engineering: Fully Funded EPSRC & ASTM International PhD Scholarship: Additive manufacturing material properties generation for critical applications: New approaches, challenges & opportunities
Funding providers: EPSRC and ASTM International
Subject areas: Additive Manufacturing, Materials Science, Mechanical Property Characterisation
Project start date:
- 1 July 2022 (Enrolment open from mid-June)
Project description:
Additive Manufacturing brings significant opportunities for Manufacturing, in terms of new structural designs, higher performance, and a reduction in weight & material required. However, for this potential to be unlocked, industry requires the creation of high calibre datasets to enable design & product certification.
ASTM International is at the forefront of driving material property generation with the ASTM AM Centre of Excellence (AM CoE), with this PhD supporting the creation of materials properties for critical applications. This will include understanding & evaluating the effect of defects, test methods, and relating the process of creating AM material to the lifing of a component in service. The project will be predominantly based at Swansea University, but liaison and research activities at affiliated universities and partners is envisaged.
The output of this PhD will support Standardisation for Additive Manufacturing, providing the student with global exposure through the extensive ASTM International network. Specialist Additive Manufacturing training will be provided, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with international partners whilst working as a member of the AM CoE.
The ASTM International AM CoE was specifically created in 2018 to accelerate Additive Manufacturing through rapidly closing gaps in Standards and providing Education & Workforce Development, with support from global founding (e.g. The MTC, NASA) and strategic partners. The ASTM has led many significant collaborations within AM, notably the Partner SDO between ISO and ASTM for Standards development.
The AM CoE brings together industry, government, and academia to optimise the AM R&D and standards development processes. By tightly coupling these processes, standards get into the hands of those who need them faster, drastically reducing AM time to market and increasing widespread adoption. Experience covers all AM methods, with strengths in various AM modalities including Powder Bed, Binder Jetting and Direct Energy Deposition.
Established in 1920, Swansea University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Swansea (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Wales. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, Swansea University is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Swansea University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 99 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.