Predicting Microstructure in Solidifying Droplets at University of Warwick
Job Description
Supervisors:
Dr. Radu Cimpeanu (Maths), Prof. James Sprittles (Maths), Dr. Tom Sykes (Engineering)
Summary:
This project is a pioneering study into the microstructural development inside spreading and solidifying droplets (Fig.1e), to solve 21st century challenges such as efficiency-reducing ice accretion on wind turbines (Fig.1f) and poor bonding in the 3D printing of metals (‘MetalJet’ Fig.1b,c). Guided by experts in the latest scientific techniques, you will predict the complex dendritic growth of crystals within a droplet (Fig.1a,d), connect this to engineering-scale mechanical properties and have the opportunity to apply machine learning image processing techniques to guide theory with experimental analyses. Your research will lead to new discoveries and a close interaction with our industrial collaborators.
A New Research Direction
The project tackles a fascinating, evolving set of open problems, which are ripe for analysis. In modelling, this includes capturing dendritic growth on the microscale and developing a new multiscale method for ‘upscaling’/‘coarse-graining’ this information into a macroscopic model. For the computation, you will develop a robust method for capturing complex dendritic interfaces within an evolving domain (i.e. in a droplet). Finally, you will need to connect this with our experiments using machine learning image processing techniques that simultaneously capture the solidification front geometry and temperature in order to initiate a positive feedback loop with the evolving theory.
CFD has been revolutionary in major industries (e.g. aeronautics) and advances here would transform many technologies, e.g. those aimed at preventing ice formation on roads/aeroplanes/wind-turbines, improving the quality of 3D-printed metal parts, and thermal spray coatings. The project offers you training opportunities in rigorous mathematical and data-driven modelling, with an interdisciplinary mindset. The initial foci are the 3D printing of metals, with Nottingham’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) and Lawrence Livermore National Labs, and de-icing aircraft, with AeroTex (a UK SME). Discoveries in this project could enable disruptive technologies that put the UK at the forefront of these multi-billion-pound markets as well as providing scientific guidance to safety/certification within the aerospace domain.
About the CDT:
HetSys is an EPSRC-supported Centre for Doctoral Training. It recruits enthusiastic students from across physical sciences, mathematics and engineering who enjoy using their mathematical skills and thinking flexibly to solve complex problems. By developing these skills HetSys trains people to challenge current state-of-the-art in computational modelling of heterogeneous, ‘real world’ systems across a range of research themes such as nanoscale devices, new catalysts, superalloys, smart fluids, space plasmas etc. They have recently been awarded £11m to train PhD cohorts in computation modelling.
HetSys is built around a closely knit, highly collaborative team of academics from five science departments at Warwick with a strong track record in leading large projects. With its project partners HetSys develops talented PhD students to push boundaries in this exciting field. The students have the potential to inspire new ideas, approaches and innovation and become future leaders in developing new technologies. HetSys builds on Warwick’s cross-departmental scientific computing research community and the Warwick Centre for Predictive Modelling.
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/hetsys/themes/projectopportunities/
Previous applicants need not apply.
Additional Funding Information
Awards for UK residents pay a stipend to cover maintenance as well as paying the university fees and a research training support. The stipend is at the standard UKRI rate £19,237. We are unable to accept applications for overseas students at this time.
For more details visit: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/hetsys/apply/funding/