About the Project
PhD projects in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Water & Environmental Engineering and Environmental Engineering in association with the International Water Security Network IWSN and the Department of Civil Engineering, Aston University Birmingham.
3-D printing technologies are starting a water revolution when the world needs it the most. Over the next 50 years, it is estimated that the world population will increase another 40-50% resulting in increased water scarcity. Water is used for irrigation, household use and industry, yet only a small fraction of the world’s water is potable. As water scarcity grows and population increases the demands on our water systems becomes more strained. Technological advances such as 3D printing can help to create ground-breaking technologies to improve our environment and transform communities in need. Countries such as China and India are growing rapidly and need their water infrastructure to keep up. Water and wastewater treatment are very expensive in these countries, which is why 3D printing technologies that can reduce cost and proven to be revolutionary is urgently needed. 3D Printing across various water and wastewater industries has the potential in cost-effectively treat polluted water streams.
This PhD research project investigates ground-breaking 3D printing technology and opens the possibility to transform water and wastewater infrastructures across the world. The PhD project looks at 3D Printed water/wastewater systems as a revolutionary technique within the engineering processes. The ability to test contaminated water has shown incredible development over the past 2 decades, but new and innovative technologies which allows us to remove that contamination through 3-D printing will be revolutionary. While it has been possible to manufacture purification and filtration systems for a long time, the ability to cost-effectively do so in a short period of time through 3D printing means that filtration systems can now reach the neediest places and people. Filters which rely on nano-fibre membranes can be printed using 3D technologies to create filters that are 70-80 % less porous than traditional filters, therefore far more effective in preventing water borne illnesses from microbes such as Ecoli or Salmonella. Other specific areas of innovation in the PhD project can include 3D printed membrane technologies. Components such as pumps and items like feed spacers are areas which 3D printing feasibility will also evaluate and its ability to produce high quality, low-cost alternatives to traditional technologies.
Entry Requirements:
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2.1 degree in Engineering (Agricultural, Biosystems, Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Industrial, Process, Utilities Engineering) or Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science) and a Masters degree in a relevant subject area (Chemical and Process Engineering, Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Environmental Science and Management, Water and Environmental Management, Renewable Energy Technology). Typical Duration of PhD (3 years)
Funding Notes
These PhD projects are offered on a self-funding basis with the possibility of 50 % tuition feed scholarships for exceptional candidates. It is open to International applicants with funding or those applying to funding sources.