PhD studentships
Deformation mechanisms in polycrystalline material studied by using Diffraction Contrast Tomography
This research project will aim to undertake a fundamental study of the early stages of plastic deformation in two types of polycrystalline alloys, low interstitial steel and commercially pure titanium, by using diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) on high-energy synchrotron x-ray radiation beam lines. Diffraction contrast tomography is a novel polycrystal grain and orientation mapping technique, which allows one to simultaneously characterize nondestructively and in 3D the grain shape and crystallographic orientation of a large number of grains in a polycrystalline material.
This technique has been implemented at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France, very recently and substantial progress in terms of data analysis has led to the reconstruction of 1000 grains in metal samples. To date, all diffraction contrast tomography work has been on fully recrystallised and undeformed.
The aim of this project is to take DCT to the next level enabling the measurement the development of elastic strain between individual grains during the onset of plastic deformation. This elastic strain develops due to the crystallographic anisotropy of grains and can be used to study deformation mechanisms.
Degree Type
4 year PhD (1 year in Manchester, 3 years in Grenoble)
Eligibility
Candidates are required to have a degree of minimum classification 2:1 (upper second equivalent) in Physics, Materials, Engineering or a related discipline. Please note that funding is available to support a PhD student for 4. It is envisaged that the student will spend his/her first year in Manchester and the following years in Grenoble.
Funding
If you are from UK / EU you can apply for funding for this studentship through the School's EPSRC Doctoral Training Account (DTA). The award will provide Home tuition fees and an EPSRC-level stipend of £12,600.
Awards will be based on the merit of your application against the applications of other applicants. There is no deadline for applications, but the majority of funding will be allocated in June 08.
Start Date
Not later than 01.10.2008
Application Deadline
31.07.2008
Reference
PhD/07/MP/04
Supervisor Contact Details
Michael Preuss and João Quinta da Fonseca. For further information about the project, please contact:
Dr Michael Preuss
Email: michael.preuss@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44-161-3063601
Admissions Contact
Postgraduate Team, School of Materials
Email: pg-materials@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 4824
How to Apply
You can apply for postgraduate opportunities online quoting the project reference number.
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