If we stretch a material, such as a rubber band, in one direction we observe it contracts in the lateral direction. However, a material can be designed to be counterintuitive so that when it is stretched in one direction it also expands in the lateral direction. A material with this unusual property is called a mechanical metamaterial (an auxetic material). The pore sizes in such materials can therefore be changed by strain. A mechanical metamaterial with a hydrophobic surface can be converted by strain to a super-water-repellent material or to a porous material.

In this project, the focus will be on creating hydrophobic mechanical metamaterials using foams and characterizing their properties when in contact with different liquids. The project will also consider a possible application in the programmable separation of oil-water mixtures and de-fouling of materials. The project will investigate whether strain might be used as a switch to allow oil to either be blocked to to pass through the material and whether strain can be used to release particulates blocking the material when it is used as a filter.

The PhD researcher 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. The student will attain skills in materials preparation, surface coating, construction of experimental set-ups, and measurement techniques and characterization techniques.

It is expected that the applicant will have a good degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related discipline.

***Please note that if a suitable candidate is found prior to the closing date, then the position will be closed and the advert will be removed. ***