EngD Position in Functional Design for Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing

As product developers gain a deeper understanding of the potential offered by additive manufacturing and the design flexibility it provides, metal laser powder bed fusion has gained its position in a wide range of applications. However, the current emphasis is mainly focused on mono and graded-material components. By incorporating multi-material components, it becomes feasible to leverage the specific advantages of different materials based on the requirements of each component. For instance, in high-temperature heat exchange applications, it is possible to combine wear- and heat-resistant nickel alloys with copper, which possesses excellent thermal conductivity. This project is grounded on a disruptive approach: the right material in the right place with an arbitrary 3D material layout, for obtaining site-specific properties.

You will focus on the design aspects of structures with these new functional multi-materials: computational design of structural materials with a focus on Cu-based and Ni-based alloys in the same component. We would like to challenge you in the success of achieving such multi-material complex components that require a thorough understanding of the metallurgical structures, residual stresses, phase transformation, and crystallographic defects evolution under thermal mechanical loading conditions. You will closely work with other Ph.D. students and postdocs in our group to accomplish this goal.

As part of the Professional Doctorate in Engineering (EngD) program, you'll undergo a tailored traineeship comprising courses, workshops, assessments, and deepening the theoretical understanding acquired during your university education. You will apply all knowledge gained in this multidisciplinary design project. Your training scheme is customized to your personal and professional skills and the demands of this project.