PhD 4D-printed magnetic materials for fast, wireless, remote-controlled shape-morphing devices

Job description

You will design, manufacture, test and validate two smart material systems/demonstrators: (i) a catheter for invasive surgery with shape and property morphing and (ii) an assistive tool to navigate and guide visually impaired people. You will (i) select appropriate materials for the intended applications, (ii) by 3D printing fabricate smart material systems with magnetic shape memory materials as active components, (iii) study the effect of a number of parameters (related both to the magnetic material and the printing process) on the shape-morphing behaviour so as to obtain the optimum combination of material and manufacturing process. (iv) The results of these tests are employed to draw up a set of design guidelines that can be used by designers. The level of technological readiness of these smart materials is still low, which makes their integration in a smart material system with various segments a challenging design assignment. Therefore, it needs elaborative testing and characterisation (developing of testing procedures).

The ultimate goal is to prototype demonstrators that are responsive in a magnetic field, with fast response and remote control. These prototypes will demonstrate how appropriate integration of smart components in the structure enhances operational functionality, taking into account a complex series of boundary conditions (base functionality, reliability, processability and user experience).

Your tasks will include:

• Systematic selection of smart materials tailored to specific applications
• Designing, manufacturing, assembling, and architecting smart material systems, resulting in two functional demonstrators
• Rigorous performance evaluation under various conditions, including static and dynamic characterization

For this project, the PhD candidate will spend 6 months at Sophion (Denmark), 4 months at Technical University Denmark (Denmark) and 3 months at Excillum (Sweden).

Job requirements

• Your profile should align with the general requirements and eligibility criteria of the X-CELERATE project:
• You have a master's degree in industrial design engineering, material science, mechanical engineering or related field (or will have by the time of your appointment).
• Background in materials design, experimenting and 3D printing is appreciated.
• You are proficient in at least one programming language (or willing to acquire this skill during the PhD).

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose. IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios. In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future. Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Eligibility Rules

As part of the Marie?'Skłodowska Curie Actions programme, all candidates must comply with the following eligibility criteria:

• Doctoral Candidate:

At the date of the recruitment, you are not already in possession of a doctoral degree. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

• Mobility rule:

Applicants can be of any nationality, but researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

Additional information

Application procedure

Deadline for applications:

16 November

https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/projects/x-celerate/