Acoustic patterning of polymer (nano) composites at polymer melt temperatures

University of Warwick – Collaborative EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award.

Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)

Eligibility: UK Students

Award value: Tuition fees and tax-free stipend - See advert for details

Deadline: 13 April 2026

Supervisors: Dr Oksana Trushkevych and Prof Tony McNally

Acoustic patterning of polymer (nano) composites at polymer melt temperatures

Research area and project description:

Develop scalable acoustic methods to structure advanced polymer composites for lightweight, low‑carbon technologies. This PhD explores how ultrasound aligns particles and controls crystallisation to create materials with tailored anisotropy. Using experimental acoustics, modelling, and advanced characterisation, you will pioneer new routes to “designer” composites for sensing, manufacturing and resilient infrastructure.

Advanced polymer composites underpin lightweight transport, renewable energy technologies and next‑generation manufacturing, yet their performance is fundamentally limited by our inability to precisely control particle alignment and microstructure during fabrication. Existing methods—such as magnetic or electric field alignment—apply only to specialised particles, restricting the design of multifunctional, anisotropic composites.

This predominantly experimental project introduces a novel composite patterning approach that exploits ultrasound to manipulate particles and influence polymer crystallisation. Unlike conventional alignment strategies, acoustic control is universal, energy-efficient, contactless, and effective across a wide range of particle types. Recent advances in acoustic tweezers and surface acoustic waves demonstrate micron-scale precision, but current techniques remain limited to small batches. This PhD will pioneer the transition from laboratory-scale demonstrations to scalable, manufacturable acoustic structuring of polymers, representing a step change in composite processing.

You will be supported by an interdisciplinary supervision team of academics and industry partners, offering complementary expertise, spanning acoustics, nanocomposites, theory and modelling, polymer science, and acoustics for polymer crystallisation. You will build an acoustic patterning system, and fabricate anisotropic composites with tailored thermal, electrical and magnetostrictive properties and link to modelling of these systems. The project will then consider polymer melts up to 200 °C, relevant for industrial extrusion. Working with industrial and academic partners, you will help establish a new materials‑processing paradigm with strong potential for publication and application in sensing, sustainable engineering, and resilient infrastructure.

Scholarship:

The award will cover the UK tuition fee level, plus a tax-free stipend, currently £21,805, paid at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years of full-time study. The award also includes a £5,000 research training support grant.

Eligibility:

Home students are eligible to apply. The candidate should have a good 2.1 or 1st Masters level degree in Engineering, Physics or equivalent. This project will suit those with an interest in acoustics, ultrasound, manufacturing and polymer composites, a hands-on approach to research and good experimental and analytical skills. Skills in academic writing would be a big help, and training will be given in all areas.
The School of Engineering boasts the Athena Gold award, reflecting our dedication to gender equality and a supportive environment. We particularly encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. The award is open to home students and funded by EPSRC.

How to apply:

Candidates should submit an expression of interest by sending a CV and supporting statement outlining their skills and interests in this research area to https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/postgraduate/funding/ot_epsrc/app/. If this initial application is successful, we will invite you to submit a formal application.

Candidates must fulfil the University of Warwick entry criteria and obtain an unconditional offer before commencing enrolment.

Should your application for admission be accepted, you should be aware that notification of acceptance for the PhD does not constitute an offer of financial support. Successful scholarship candidates will receive an official communication to confirm their award.