New approaches for studying the structure of high-temperature molten materials

Supervisors: Dr Emma Barney (University of Nottingham) and Oliver Alderman (ISIS Neutron and Muon Source)

PhD project description

Understanding the structure and properties of high-temperature molten materials is of key importance in a diverse range of applications including optical glass manufacture, nuclear waste storage, green platforms for growth of functional materials, fuel cell hermetic seals, electrolytes, carbon capture solvents and thermal energy storage media. It is also vital for understanding natural magmatic processes on earth and other planetary bodies.

Neutron diffraction is a powerful technique for studying the atomic scale structure of these materials, but the current technology to allow measurements to be made on liquids at the high temperatures (500℃ < T < 1200℃) required is inadequate. Current experimental setups are limited to lower temperatures and to containers that present significant problems for data reduction and analysis. This PhD project, in close collaboration with researchers at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and the University of Nottingham, will address this by designing and developing experimental equipment suitable for containing the liquids at the temperatures needed as well as optimising the quality of the data obtained - both through experiment design and developing the analysis techniques needed to interpret the data.

In addition to technique development the studentship will study a range of technologically relevant high temperature liquids to provide new insights into the structure and bonding changes they undergo with temperature, upon cooling from a liquid to a glassy solid product. This will be underpinned by initial studies focussing on the structure and properties in a few compositional series of network glasses, from which key compositions to study in the molten state will be selected. Improved understanding of melt structure will have a major impact on understanding viscous flow in materials of commercial interest, such as borosilicates and boroaluminates, underpinning an array of applications from solid-oxide fuel cell seals to display glasses.

This PhD is co-funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and will be primarily based at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in Oxfordshire - a vibrant and world-leading international research facility operated by STFC - on behalf of the UK government and its funding partners. Visits to the University of Nottingham for training and research in the Faculty of Engineering will be made as required, for example to make and characterise glasses and carry out complimentary structural measurements. Funding will be available to cover travel and subsistence costs. Further travel funding is available with the student expected to attend training courses and present work at both national and international conferences, with the additional possibility of conducting experiments at other international research facilities, such as x-ray synchrotron light sources.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with internationally recognised experts in the fields of neutron and x-ray scattering, high-temperature and glassy materials research to develop a wide range of skills in experimental and data analysis methodologies, and to be involved in end-to-end development and application of new, much-needed additions to neutron diffraction sample environment capabilities.

Eligibility and how to apply

• Due to funding application restrictions the position is available for UK/eligible for home fees candidates only
• Project start date and duration: October 2025 for 3.5 years
• Candidates must possess or expect to obtain a 2:1 or first-class degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science or related physical sciences related discipline
• This project includes payment of tuition fees and a stipend equivalent to RCUK rates
• To apply: Email a covering letter, CV and academic transcripts to Emma Barney. Applications without academic transcripts will not be considered. Please refer to the project title in your application. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is appointed