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ANSTO

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2021 FutureNow Plus Scholarship - Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics PhD position

Lucas Heights

Opportunity Expired

Development of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC) for Extreme Environments in Energy, Space, and Defence Applications.

Opportunity details

Opportunity Type
Graduate Job
Number of Vacancies
1
Start Date
Ongoing

Application dates

Applications Close
31 Oct 2021

Minimum requirements

Minimum Prior Qualification
Bachelor
Accepting International Applications
No
Qualifications Accepted
E
Aerospace Engineering
Air Traffic Control
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
Aircraft Operation & Aviation
Automotive & Transport Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering & Construction
Communications Engineering
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Engineering Management
Environmental Engineering
Fire & Safety Engineering
Geomatic Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Marine Engineering
Materials Engineering
Mathematics & Statistics
Mechanical Engineering
Mining Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Renewable Energy Engineering
Robotics & Mechatronics Engineering
Engineering & Mathematics (all other)
Geotechnical Engineering
S
Agribusiness
Agricultural Science
Aquaculture & Fisheries
Viticulture
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Ecology & Evolution
Environmental Studies
Forestry Studies
Parks & Wildlife Management
Food Science
Forensic Science
Genetics
Geology
Laboratory Technology
Marine Science
Physics & Astronomy
Veterinary Science
Sciences (all other)
Spatial Science

Hiring criteria

Entry pathway

See details

Working rights

Citizen

    Australia

    • Australian Citizen
    Read more

    Background

    Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) is a subclass of emerging high-temperature materials for extreme environments – e.g. combination of temperature, radiation, and corrosion. Chemically, most UHTCs are binary compounds of B, C, or N with one of the transition metals: Hf, Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti, V, etc. The high strength and melting temperature (> 2500°C) of these compounds stem from the covalent bonds, while enhanced thermal and electrical conductivity stem from their metallic character. In general, these metal-ceramic bonds between the constituent atoms give UHTCs a combination of metal-like and ceramic-like thermo-physical-mechanical properties leading to their excellent high-temperature performance. Such a unique combination of thermo-physical-mechanical properties makes UTHCs suitable as an engineering material for a broad range of applications across energy, space and defence sectors. However, the thermo-physical properties (e.g. high melting point, strong covalent bonding and low intrinsic self-diffusivity) which make these ceramics excellent in high-temperature applications make their processing and densification extremely difficult, requiring high temperatures and pressures.

    Project Information

    This project will focus on the development, and assessment of single and multiphase UHTCs (e.g. HfB2, ZrB2, HfC) as these materials have application in the next generation fission/fusion energy-generating systems, space and defence applications. The proposed PhD project will first aim to address a number of high-level challenges associated with fabrication of UHTCs such as the effect of various second-phase additives/aids (SiC, C, B4C, MoSi2, etc.) and processing routes (e.g. vacuum hot pressing/sintering, cold-pressing followed by pressureless sintering, hot isostatic pressing) on the densification, grain growth, and high-temperature strength.

    Prepared UHTCs will be systematically characterized using various diffraction and microscopy techniques readily available at ANSTO to investigate the additives-processing-structure relationship. This will allow for a rapid modification and optimization of additives/processing with the view of obtaining functional microstructural characteristics of engineered UHTCs. Compounds that meet microstructural and density requirements will be subjected to further high-temperature testing taking advantage of various high-temperature facilities available at ANSTO and DSTG (Defence Science and Technology Group). For example, we will investigate the kinetics of the oxide layer formation on the surface of prepared UHTCs during an exposure to extreme temperatures in oxidising environments. The oxidation behaviour will be studied with respect to the composition, processing routes and microstructure to evaluate characteristics governing formation of protective oxide layer. In the final stage of the proposed project we will explore the scalability (upscaling) of the developed processing routes and near-net shape part production for industrial applications.

    Funding And Support

    This project is jointly supported by DSTG and ANSTO via FutureNow Plus scholarship.

    The successful PhD candidate is expected to work collaboratively across both institutions as well as a host university.

    The student will receive a full FutureNow PhD scholarship of $35k/year, or a combination of $15k/year top-up and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) stipend scholarship.

    Additional funding of $10k/year from ANSTO's FutureNow Plus is available for travel and consumables of the project.

    Application Details

    A background in materials science, chemistry, physics or engineering is welcome.
    We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, however, this program is open to Australian citizens only.

    Hiring criteria

    You should have or be completing the following to apply for this opportunity.

    Entry pathway
    Degree or Certificate
    Minimum Level of Study
    Bachelor or higher
    Study Field
    E
    Aerospace Engineering
    Air Traffic Control
    Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
    Aircraft Operation & Aviation
    Automotive & Transport Engineering
    Chemical Engineering
    Civil Engineering & Construction
    Communications Engineering
    Electrical & Electronic Engineering
    S
    Agribusiness
    Agricultural Science
    Aquaculture & Fisheries
    Viticulture
    Biochemistry
    Biology
    Chemistry
    Earth Sciences
    Ecology & Evolution

    Work rights

    The opportunity is available to applicants in any of the following categories.

    country
    eligibility

    Citizen

    Citizen


    Australia

    Australia

    Australian Citizen


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    ANSTO conducts a wide variety of activities in many areas of science and business, thus giving graduates the opportunity to rotate through several areas of the organisation for a range of experiences.

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    • Graduate stories
    ANSTO conducts a wide variety of activities in many areas of science and business, thus giving graduates the opportunity to rotate through several areas of the organisation for a range of experiences.

    Laura Hallam