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PhD in: The Design and Properties of Multi-functional Materials

Principal Investigators:

Project Details:
The overall weight and compactness of a system (eg. a wing structure) can be substantially reduced if a material simultaneously provides load bearing and actuation capabilities. A micro-architectured material with a statically determinate cellular structure has potential to accomplish these functions simultaneously. The central idea is to replace one or more members of the statically determinate structure with actuator/s. This allows us to change the shape of the material without deforming any of the other passive members of the material. Locking the actuator would convert this into a load bearing material.

The project involves exploring such statically determinate architectures (like the "Kagome" structure) and mapping out their potential with respect to actuation authority and load bearing (the design is contingent on stiffness and strength (yielding and buckling) constraints). Prototypes of these materials will be built and tested in order to experimentally verify the concepts and hone in on design details (eg. the fatigue life of these materials is strongly dependent on the joint design of the statically determinate structure.) Finally, the performance of these materials will be compared with other competing concepts like bimaterial and sandwich beam morphing structures.

Background Required:
Candidates should have a BSc. and, preferably but not necessarily, a MSc. in Mechanical Engineering with a background in solid mechanics, engineering design, testing and instrumentation. The project will be a mix of experimental and theoretical work.

Funding Source:
Partial funding may be available.

Research Groups Involved:

Application Deadline:
Open

For further information and to apply contact:

Professor N A Fleck
Cambridge University Engineering Dept
Trumpington Street
Cambridge, CB2 1PZ
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1223 332650
Fax: +44 (0)1223 332662
email: div-c@eng.cam.ac.uk

Initial letters of application and CVs should be sent to Professor Fleck.

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