Radio Frequency Techniques applied to additive manufacturing

Outline

This iCASE project combines the world class expertise of Renishaw in additive manufacturing with Cardiff’s Centre for High Frequency Engineering, using radio frequency (RF) techniques for the manufacture of metal parts. A considerable technical challenge for selective laser melting (SLM) of metal components is the high residual stress within a finished part owing to high temperature gradients in its production, a prime reason why the part fails due to deformation or crack formation. These issues could be alleviated by direct RF heating of the powder bed by inductive means, so the project will investigate this via the design and development of suitable RF applicators, and their incorporation and optimisation into one of Renishaw’s commercial SLM systems.

What is funded

The studentship is open to: UK students; EU students who have been resident in the UK for three years at the course start date; other candidates who can demonstrate a connection to the UK, usually through residency.

The full four year award will cover fees at the Home/EU rate and will provide an annual stipend (£15,285 in 2020/21) with an enhancement.

Duration

4 years full-time. 

Eligibility

The successful candidate will have a first degree at 2:1 level or higher, in Electronic and Electrical Engineering or Physics, ideally with practical experience of RF/microwave circuits and instrumentation. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/engineering ) including;

• an upload of your CV

• a personal statement/covering letter

• two references (applicants are recommended to have a third academic referee, if the two academic referees are within the same department/school)

• Current academic transcripts

Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), with a start date of October 2020.

In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select "I will be applying for a scholarship / grant" and specify that you are applying for advertised funding, reference AP/iCASE2020

For further information please contact Professor Adrian Porch, porcha@Cardiff.ac.uk