PhD Position: Multiscale characterization and modeling of silica aerogel-rubber composites
Are you excited about synthesis and characterization of aerogel-rubber composites? Do you want to learn more about material modelling of composites, and heuristic analysis of their mechanical properties? Then this PhD position might be for you!
The Challenge
Silica aerogel is a porous ultralight material class known for its unique properties like low density, low thermal conductivity and high specific surface area. Classical silica aerogels can be prepared in the form of monoliths, boards, or granules. Given their fragile nature, granules are often preferred for application purposes. Embedding these aerogel granules as a filler in hyperelastic elastomers can potentially result in outstanding properties, where the thermal properties could be driven by the aerogel granules and the elastomeric matrix would then dictate the mechanical stability and high elasticity, thus achieving simultaneously high reinforcement and low hysteresis. Using the measured data to develop a multiscale model would better our understanding and predict the potential of such a composite towards future applications.
First, relevant literature on silica aerogels, their characteristics and unique properties has to be explored. Subsequently rubber compounds filled with silica aerogel granules will be created in various different compositions and evaluated for their properties. The obtained information will then be used to design a predictive multiscale model, taking the composite properties as well as the single compound ingredient characteristics into account.
The project
The Department Mechanics of Solids, Surfaces & Systems (MS3), part of the faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) is currently seeking a PhD student. The work will be undertaken within the Chairs of Applied Mechanics & Data Analysis and Elastomer Technology & Engineering. We explicitly encourage female candidates to apply.
The goal of this 4-year project is to develop a multiscale model and experimentally design, produce, and characterize silica aerogel-filled elastomer compounds for their thermal and mechanical properties. A predictive model studying heuristically the effect of filler characteristics on the final compound properties should be developed. The model results must be validated with the support of experimental results.
The project is divided into 4 main work packages:
1. Synthesis and characterization of aerogel-rubber composites
2. Material modeling of aerogel, rubber, and composites
3. Heuristic analysis on the effect of composition, granule-size distributions, and dispersion on the structural, thermal, and quasi-static as well as dynamic mechanical properties of the composites
4. Possible exploration of 3D printing of the aerogel-rubber composites and analyzing simple geometries and their properties.
Information and application
The application deadline is October 10, 2024. Please submit your application using the “Apply now” button. Applications should at least include the following:
· Letter of motivation and/or research interest.
· Curriculum vitae.
· List, with grades, of courses from both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
· References and, if applicable, a list of publications.
For more information, please contact Prof.dr. Bojana Rosic (b.rosic@utwente.nl) or Dr. Fabian Grunert (f.grunert@utwente.nl).
The first (online) job interviews will take place on the 28th of October, 2024.
Candidates must be available to start no later than December 2024.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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