Nucleate boiling is a type of boiling mechanism where the heat is transferred from a hot surface to a liquid through the formation and release of vapor bubbles. This process occurs at discrete points on the surface where the liquid is in direct contact with heat. During nucleate boiling, small bubbles of vapor form at nucleation sites, typically surface imperfections, and grow until they are buoyant enough to detach and rise through the liquid. Surface modification is a passive method to increase heat transfer in nucleate boiling by controlling bubble nucleation and detachment using structures or coatings that modify a surfaces morphological parameters.
Recently, we developed new techniques to modify surfaces with regions that could act as nucleation sites and provide easy bubble detachment. These patterned liquid-like surfaces are based on Slippery Covalently Attached Liquid-like Surfaces (SCALS). In this experimental project, you will tackle questions involving nucleate boiling on patterned liquid-like surfaces: we are interested in understanding how these surfaces act under boiling conditions and their effects on the efficiency of heat transfer and maintaining a stable heat flux. By answering questions like these, you will be pushing the boundaries of knowledge in this field and kick-start your postgraduate career.
If successful, you will become a member of the Wetting, Interfacial Sciences and Engineering Group within the Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids at the School of Engineering. You will join a vibrant community of PhD students, postdoctoral research associates and academics working in various aspects of surfaces and wetting, and will develop as a scientist benefiting from our track record, which includes publications in top journals, international collaborations and contributions to key international conferences.
Please note that the supervision team will include:
Principal supervisor
Dr Gary Wells: https://www.eng.ed.ac.uk/about/people/dr-gary-wells
Assistant supervisors
Professor Glen McHale: https://www.eng.ed.ac.uk/about/people/professor-glen-mchale
Dr Rodrigo Ledesma Aguilar: https://www.eng.ed.ac.uk/about/people/dr-rodrigo-ledesma-aguilar
Further Information:
***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. ***
The University of Edinburgh is committed to equality of opportunity for all its staff and students, and promotes a culture of inclusivity. Please see details here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity
Closing Date:
Principal Supervisor:
Assistant Supervisor:
Eligibility:
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.
We expect that you will have a good degree in Engineering or Physics with an experimental and modelling background. We are particularly interested to hear from applicants with experience in surfaces, fluids and/or phase change.
***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. ***
Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.
Funding:
Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.
Informal Enquiries:
Gary Wells (gwells33@ed.ac.uk)
