Studentships

Constellium, a global leader in aluminium manufacturing and innovation, seeks to advance its capabilities by placing greater emphasis on thermo-mechanical process optimization and precipitate kinetics engineering. The design and optimization of aluminium alloys have traditionally relied on compositional tuning – adding or adjusting alloying. This requires tight compositional control hard to ensure, especially, with high-scrap content. This Ph.D. proposal aims to develop a comprehensive framework that integrates kinetic modelling and optimized thermal strategies to revolutionize aluminium alloy development – moving from a composition-centric approach to a thermal process-driven methodology. Objectives Critically evaluate the limitations of conventional alloy development routes based on alloying element variation. Support and validate previous findings and experiments. Implement advanced kinetic models to predict Thermo-Mechanical Ageing (TMA) condition for specific desired properties of high-scrap aluminium alloys. Design and validate tailored thermal treatment paths (Solutionising, quenching, ageing and interrupted ageing, etc.) Establish processing-microstructure-property relationships using experimental data and supported by modelling predictions Develop a digital decision-support tool to guide the UTC team doing proper heat treatment schedules based on kinetics predictions and desired mechanical property targets.   Expected results and Impact: This Ph.D. project is expected to develop high-scrap-content alloys and enhance digital, AI-integrated recycling by optimising process windows and thermal paths instead of focusing solely on chemical composition. Once specific mechanical properties, like yield strength and elongation, are identified for an application, a digital tool, for example, will recommend the suitable high-scrap alloy, its thermo-mechanical treatments, CO2 emissions, and energy consumption. By shifting the emphasis from "chemical control" to "kinetics and thermal process control," we seek to redefine high-performance, scrap-tolerant aluminium alloy design. This will help reduce environmental impact and energy costs.

Global growth is increasing world demands on energy, but society also demands that it be produced, delivered and used in new and better ways with fewer emissions for a low carbon future. As a low-carbon fuel, hydrogen can be used in combustion engines to decarbonise tailpipe emissions from the transport and genset sectors. Many heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers are working on hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines. However, in addition to offering great promise from an engine efficiency and environmental perspective, hydrogen internal combustion engines face significant challenges related to abnormal combustion, which can hinder their performance, reliability, and long-term viability. Sponsored by Castrol and EPSRC, This project aims to investigate the mechanisms of lubricant-related abnormal combustion in these engines using advanced optical diagnostic techniques in a unique optical engine at Brunel. The aim is, through visualisation and instrumentation, to improve understanding of the phenomena in order to improve engine and lubricant design and contribute to accelerating the development of this technology space.