New!!!  One fully-funded 3.5 year Ph.D. studentship is available! Above 13,000 pounds per year without tax, plus other research consumables. 

 

Due to the project requirement, the new position is only for UK born British Citizon. He/she should have experience with Abaqus simulation.

Details about this position:

PhD Studentships

School of Engineering and Physical Science

Heriot-Watt University

 

Micromechanics of Advanced Materials

 

Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship to work on Micromechanics of Advanced Materials in the School of Engineering and Physical Science at the Heriot-Watt University supported by an industrial partner. The candidates (UK citizen preferred by Industrial partner) should have at least a 2:1 or equivalent degree from Mechanical Engineering, robitics engineering, Physics or Materials Science. Preference will be given to a candidate with a strong background on finite element analysis using Abaqus and/or experience in microengineering. The studentships will be for 3.5 years at the standard EPSRC rate (stipend £13,290 p.a. currently + fees at UK/EU student rate). In addition all University fees will be paid by the project funding and there will be oppurtunities to travel internationally to attend conferences. You will also have the oppurtunity to earn and learn a bit more by participating in paid postgraduate activities e.g. laboratory assistance and student supervision. The industrial partner has the reputation of international excellence in research and you will be required to spend a proportion of your time using super computers and other state of the art facilities at their site in UK. There is a possibility that this project may lead you to an appointment with the industrial partner.

To apply please send a CV together with a covering letter to Dr. Richard Fu by email R.Y.Fu@hw.ac.uk or by post (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, EH14 4AS). Informal enquiries may also be addressed to Dr. Fu using either the above e-mail or by telephone +44 (0)131 4514381. More information can be found from: http://www.eps.hw.ac.uk/~ryf1/Yongqing%20Fu-index-new.html

Closing date for the applications will be 31st January 2010, or whenever the position is filled.

 

Updated on 12th Dec 2009

 

Richard Fu’s other research topics include MEMS, microsensors, microfluidics, piezoelectric and shape memory materials; nanocomposite materials and coatings. Background can be mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials or chemistry or physics. Master degree student is preferred. Attached are some potential projects:

 

Project Title: Microfluidic lab-on-chip device based on acoustic wave technology

Supervisor: Dr. Richard Fu (R.Y.Fu@hw.ac.uk)

 

This project is to develop a cheap and portable lab-on-a-chip microfluidic bio-detection system, based on acoustic wave technologies with integrated functions of micro-fluidics and bio-sensing. The project will deliver: (1) high quality textured piezoelectric (PZT, ZnO, and AlN) thin films; (2) design, simulation and characterization of novel acoustic wave microdevices for microfluidic mixing, pumping and evaporation; (3) design and fabrication bio-sensors; (4) To integrate and package the diagnostic system, fulfilling the functions of microfluidics and sensing on a single micro-chip.

 

Project Title: Microdeivces based on shape memory alloys and polymers for biological applications

Supervisor: Dr. Richard Fu / Prof. Bob Reuben (R.Y.Fu@hw.ac.uk)

 

Shape memory materials are promising for the future of biomedical engineering applications. They offer a combination of novel properties, such as shape memory effect, super-elasticity, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and high damping capacity, which enable them to be widely used in numerous applications, including biomedical engineering and micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS). In this investigation, thin films shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers will be developed for biomedical actuators for tremendous potential applications such as drug delivery systems, miniature biomedical or chemical analysis systems, biopsy tissue sampling, etc.

 

Project Title:  Nanocomposite material and coating design for micro-sensor and microacturator applications

Supervisor: Dr. Richard Fu (R.Y.Fu@hw.ac.uk)

 

Nanocomposites are materials that incorporate nanosized microstructures (nano-particles, nanotubes and wires) embedded a matrix of standard material matrix, to drastically improve mechanical strength, toughness and electrical or thermal conductivity. In this project, novel nanocomposite material concepts (including carbon naotubes/polymer nanocomposites, ZnO nanowires/PVDF piezopolymers, nanopowder/polymer functional composites) will be developed for making microsensors and microactuators for electrical, environmental and energy applications.

 

Pls. contact for further information:

 

Dr. Richard Y.Q. FU

E-mail: R.Y.Fu@hw.ac.uk

Room NS 2.28

Department of Mechanical Engineering

School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK

EH14 4AS

Tel: (44) 0131-4514381

 

 

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