Fw: University of Plymouth: EPSRC CASE PhD studentship

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>
> EPSRC Industrial CASE Studentship in partnership with Vestas Technology,
Isle of Wight
> Process Modelling for the Manufacture of Large Wind Turbine Blades
>
> Applications are invited for an EPSRC CASE studentship in the Advanced
Composites Manufacturing Centre (ACMC) at the University of Plymouth,
starting in April 2006, or as soon as possible thereafter.
>
> Vestas Technology has made considerable progress in the manufacture of
large wind turbine blades in the last 5 years. With the assistance of the
university, a labour-intensive wet lay-up process has been replaced by a
novel version of resin infusion, resulting in a 24-hour production cycle for
a 40 m long blade. Economic and performance pressures require that blades
continue to increase in size, and that production times are reduced still
further. To respond to these challenges, we need a deeper understanding of
how the materials used in the structure behave during the manufacturing
process, and how production efficiency can be increased.
>
> The research project will work towards the development and validation of
manufacturing process models, ranging from small-scale materials
interactions to large-scale flow and consolidation phenomena. Some of the
work is likely to involve the adaptation of commercial process simulation
software. Phases in the project will include:
> * Collation of existing process measurements. Identification of relevant
physical flow regimes.
> * Materials characterisation. Basic measurements of permeability,
absorption, resin viscosity and cure characteristics.
> * Software development and familiarisation.
> * Development and experimentation with extended algorithms for heat
transfer, resin cure kinetics, void formation and compressibility.
>
> The successful candidate will be based at the University of Plymouth, but
will work in close collaboration with Vestas Technology, Isle of Wight, UK.
It is a condition of the award that the student spends at least 3 months
with the company during the 3˝ year programme.
>
> The funding body makes an important distinction between UK, European Union
and non-EU applicants. Full financial support (tuition fees plus a stipend)
is only available for students who have lived in the UK for three years
prior to the date of application, but not mainly for the purposes of full
time education. Candidates from other EU countries are generally eligible
for awards restricted to the payment of university fees only; no maintenance
award will be payable.
> Applicants should normally hold a 1st Class or Upper 2nd Class Honours
degree in a relevant engineering or applied science subject. This project
may also be of interest to a mathematics graduate with an interest in
industrial applications. Some experience of composite materials and/or
structures would be an advantage, but is not essential.
>
> Informal enquiries about the project can be made to:
> Dr Stephen Grove (s.grove@plymouth.ac.uk), phone 01752 232653.
> For an application pack, please contact:
> Mrs C Watson, Research Administrator (c.watson@plymouth.ac.uk).
>
> The above details are repeated at
http://www.tech.plymouth.ac.uk/sme/acmc/vestascase.htm.
>
>
>
Received on Wed Dec 7 12:26:14 2005