Electrospinning is currently the most commonly used method for making nanofibres, often from polymer solutions. Rotorspinning is a novel method that uses only centrifugal force to form a polymer nanofibre. The method works equally well with polymer melts and in the current project we will evaluate the effects of processing parameters on fibre properties. The project aims to benchmark this novel nanofibre processing technology against traditional electrospinning technology and aims to use the developed nanofibres in filtration and high strength composite applications.
The project is in close collaboration with an industrial partner.

Supervisor: Prof. Ton Peijs
School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)

Research Area: Materials/Functional Nanomaterials/Modelling

Keywords: polymers; processing; fibres

EPSRC DTA Research Studentship Details
To be eligible for a full award (stipend and fees) applicants must have:
• settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long they can stay and
• been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to Sept 2014. This means they must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences) and
• Not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education (This does not apply to UK nationals).
Note: The above residence requirements/eligibility criteria defined by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and are based on the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997 and subsequent amendments, covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. (See: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/students/Pages/eligibility.aspx for more details)
• Due to funding restrictions funding is available for well-qualified UK students only
• Full Time research degree programme only
• Applicants will be required to start the degree programme in September/October 2014.
• The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend (£15,726 in 2013/14) for up to three years.
• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.

Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Prof. Ton Peijs
Tel: 020 7882 8865
E-mail: t.peijs@qmul.ac.uk

Application Method:
To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Materials/Materials Science programme (Full Time, Semester 1 start) please follow the instructions detailed in section 3 of the following webpage:http://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

During the online application process you will be asked to provide details of any funding you are applying for, please be sure to include a reference to ‘2014 EPSRC SEMS TP to associate your application with this studentship opportunity. For General Enquiries in regards to the application process please email the SEMS Research Administrator, Mr Jonathon Hills on j.hills@qmul.ac.uk