IRP10—physical chemistry

Research topic:

Improvement of the durability of bio-composites

Recruiting organization:

KU Leuven

Composite Materials Group

Application deadline:

March 11th 2018

Starting time:

June 2018 or as mutually agreed (1-2 months changes to the intended starting time are possible)

Contract duration:

36 months

Benefits

You will work at the Department of Materials Engineering of the KU Leuven (www.mtm.kuleuven.be). The Department is responsible for education, research and service to industry and society related to materials science and engineering. The university KU Leuven and the Department of Materials Engineering are world-wide strongly positioned in the important rankings related to research, innovation and education.

For more information on the research topic (scientific content), contact the supervisor:

Prof.Dr. Aart W. van Vuure

 

 

Scientific content

The objective of this PhD study is to increase the durability or longevity of bio-composites, particularly by reducing the moisture sensitivity. In practice this means either treating the fibres to make them more hydrophobic, or to increase the quality of the fibre-matrix interface, so that this pathway for moisture ingression is blocked and composites are more resilient to cyclic swelling and shrinkage. Particular emphasis is put on thermoplastic matrices, where often adhesion issues exist.

Results: This project will focus on selected thermoplastic matrices with different moisture barrier properties, different levels of base adhesion with the selected natural fibres (flax and bamboo) and different mechanical properties (particularly modulus as a function of humidity uptake which will help stop swelling of the fibres). In the first place, wetting and adhesion of these thermoplastic matrices with the natural fibres will be optimized by following a comprehensive physical-chemical-micromechanical approach. Fibre treatment or coating will be considered to improve adhesion. This should already lead to improvements in durability. In a second phase, additional improvement in moisture resistance will come from fibre treatments which lower the EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content).

 

The general requirements for all FibreNet positions apply here, i.e.:

  • you may already be in a PhD program but you cannot be a PhD holder,
  • you must have less than 4 years of research experience, i.e., you should be an early-stage researcher,
  • you must not have resided or carried out your main activity in the country of the hiring organization for more than 12 months during the last 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment (short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account), and
  • you should have a high-level knowledge of the English language.

 

Furthermore, the position-related requirements are:

The selected PhD students must have a strong previous track record of their studies and show a strong motivation for the proposed research, with a strong interest in understanding the fundamentals of materials behaviour, as well as its implications for engineering applications. Previous knowledge about composite materials and/or physical chemistry is considered an advantage.

 

How to apply:

It is recommended to first contact the PhD supervisor. Applications must then be submitted in English by using the KU Leuven online application form https://icts.kuleuven.be/apps/jobsite/#/vacatures/54520770 (link to the online application tool at the end of the page, ref. BAP-2018-61).

 

Mandatory appendices:

  • a Curriculum Vitae,
  • a letter of motivation (maximum of one page),
  • the contact details of two referees,
  • a copy of B.Sc. and M.Sc. certificates with annexes, and
  • a language certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge Language Certificate (Proficiency CPE or Advanced CAE) if available.

 

In case no suitable candidates are found, KU Leuven reserves the right to re-open the call.