PhD Studentship – Surface Design Approach against Fretting-Corrosion Degradation of Automotive Electrical Connectors

School of Mechanical Engineering

This project strives to solve an application-driven problem of limited durability of automotive electrical connectors due to fretting-corrosion.

Fretting-corrosion results from vibrations, variable humidity and temperature; it increases electrical contact resistance as corrosion products change the nature of the metallic interface.

Improvement of the connector performance will be achieved by introducing tailored surface texturing and developing a fundamental understanding of the oxidation process at the functionalised interface. A pilot study showed a non-linear correlation between surface roughness and electrical contact durability.

This project has a strong industrial support from Mercedes-Benz, PCT Automotive and DuPont Teijin Films. Cross-faculty collaboration with School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering will be sought.

Value: This studentship, which is open to UK, EU and international students, will cover academic fees and a maintenance of £14,254 in 2016/17. 

Number of awards: 1 

Entry requirements: Applicants must have a minimum of a UK upper second class honours degree (2.1), or equivalent, in physics, materials or mechanical engineering.

If English is not the applicant’s first language, they must provide evidence that they meet the University’s minimum English Language requirements.

Main contact: Contact Dr Tomasz Liskiewicz to discuss this project further informally.

Application deadline: Friday 15 January 2016

How to Apply:
Applications for this scheme will open on Friday 30th October. This is when details about the application process will be made available.

If you would like to receive an email reminder, to inform you that applications have opened, please fill in your name and email on our contact form and we will be in touch in due course.

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