Multiscale Thermofluids
Advanced electronic/optoelectronic technologies designed to allow stable, intimate integration with living organisms will accelerate progress in biomedical research; they will also serve as the foundations for new approaches in monitoring and treating diseases.
The control of a liquid droplet’s wetting state on solid surfaces through the application of non-uniform electric fields is known as Dielectrowetting. By modulating the electric field, the wetting behavior of such droplets can be altered and can be employed to create uniform and controlled thin films. Advantages such as low power consumption, fast response time, and the ability to perform complex droplet manipulations with high accuracy and with precise control over droplet movement, spreading, splitting as well as film creation, Dielectrowetting and has applications in various fields, including microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, digital microfluidics, and opto-fluidics.
In previous work, we have shown that Dielectrowetting can be used to create thin circular films and that by releasing the electric field quickly (quenching), it is possible to study the dynamics of the contact angle in dewetting droplets.
In this PhD you will create surfaces with ultra-low contact angle hysteresis and chemically treat them to obtain highly mobile contact lines. You will then investigate how the rapid retraction of the contact line for a dewetting droplet can lead to capillary waves on the surface of the droplet that are eventually damped by the viscous forces within the droplet. You will also investigate whether inertia in this system can be exploited for practical applications.
It is expected that the applicant will have a good degree in Engineering or Physics with a good experimental background. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with experience in surfaces, fluids and/or droplet manipulation.
The student will be part of the Wetting, Interfacial Sciences and Engineering Group within the Institute for Multiscale Thermofliuds. You will join a vibrant community of PhD students, postdoctoral research associates and academics working in various aspects of surfaces and wetting.
Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree.
Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.
Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.
The development of new combustion and fuel-injection technologies is essential for enabling the effective use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), while reducing carbon emissions and exhaust pollutants from future aeroengines. Electrostatic atomisation offers a promising approach by generating fine, electrically charged droplets and enabling control of spray trajectory through applied electric fields. However, the fundamental behaviour and stability of charged liquid jets in gas-turbine-relevant crossflows remain insufficiently understood. This project will address this challenge by developing an innovative system that independently controls liquid atomisation and droplet residence time through the integration of multiphysics and multiphase approaches, i.e., using electrostatic atomisation and droplet trajectory control. The research will investigate the electrical charging of liquid fuels and its influence on spray formation, droplet dynamics and dispersion. Particular attention will be given to charging techniques suitable for non-polar SAFs which are difficult to charge using conventional high-voltage capillary methods because of their high electrical resistivity and limited ionic mobility. The project will integrate fuel charging and atomisation within a spray-in-crossflow configuration that is relevant to aeroengine combustors. Experiments will examine the behaviour and interaction of charged droplets in turbulent crossflows, with the aim of improving spray control, fuel–air mixing and combustion efficiency.
The ideal candidate will be interested in fluid dynamics, reacting flows, and laser diagnostics and have programming experience in at least one language (e.g., Python, MATLAB, etc.). The selection process considers the comprehensive strength of the entire application, including the academic qualifications, personal statement, CV, and references. Ideally, candidates should have a strong background in fluid dynamics and the development of experimental methodologies. The project includes close collaboration with University of Nottingham and the possibility of research visits during the PhD research. The successful candidate will join the Experimental MultiPhysics and MultiPhase flow group, The E(MP)2 Group. The E(MP)2 Group focuses on experimental investigation and theoretical modelling of complex multiphase systems, specifically, particle dynamics and spray characteristics in extreme and turbulent conditions for developing sustainable energy technologies for power and propulsion. The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Dr Khushboo Pandey and Dr Rohit Pillai.
The intended PhD start date is in late Summer 2027. If a suitable candidate is found, this position may close earlier than the closing date.
- a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
- applicant's must meet the University’s English language requirements.
The candidate should also have a master’s degree in either Physics or Engineering.
Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.
Competition funding (EPSRC) may be available for an exceptional candidate.