Organisation/Company: Swansea University
Department: Central Research
Field: Engineering
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 24 Feb 2025 - 11:59 (Europe/London)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
In the process of laser shock peening (LSP), metallic structural components are hit by controlled laser. The sudden vaporisation of material at the structural surface creates large magnitude pressure shock waves which induce compressive residual stresses in the structure, thereby improving the surface hardness and the resistance to fatigue cracking and to corrosion. LSP is more effective than traditional shot peening and is important for applications in the construction, aerospace and automotive industries. Other applications include the forming of thin components or the breaking up of hard materials. The computer modelling of LSP remains challenging due to its multi-physics and multi-scale nature. The dependency of the process on the shape of the laser pulse, its energy, ablation layers etc. is not sufficiently understood. This involves complex physics at the interface of plasma physics, shock physics, material science and thermodynamics.
The objective of this project is the computational modelling of laser shock peening. Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Finite Element (FE) simulations will be combined to account for the complex physical phenomena and their different scales. The interdependence of physical conditions (pressure, pulse time, temperature) will be investigated, allowing for the design of efficient shockwaves. Essential multi-physics software tools will be developed. The project is a collaboration between Swansea University and the STFC (Scientific Computing Department + Central Laser Facility).
English Language Requirements
If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.
Additional Information
This scholarship covers the full cost of UK tuition fees and an annual stipend of £19,237. Additional research expenses of up to £2,000 per year will also be available.
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship is open to UK fee-eligible applicants. The candidate must hold an undergraduate or Masters degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering, in Mathematics or in Physics. The candidate must have a background and a keen interest in computational modelling and should be familiar with the finite element method.
Programming skills and experience with C++, Python and/or Matlab are desirable. A background in the physics of Laser Shock Peening is beneficial but not conditional.
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