Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2015-2016
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project (max 30 words):
An a priori mathematical approach to control structural properties in porous media
Project Leader(s):
Simone Dimartino (CAPE)
Host Department/Organization:
CAPE and Mathematics & Statistics
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
(List other significant members involved along with their affiliation to the research project.)
Name
Conan Fee (CAPE)
Miguel Moyers Gonzalez (Mathematics & Statistics)
Rua Murray (Mathematics & Statistics)
Phil Wilson (Mathematics & Statistics)
Affiliation to project
Supervisor
Supervisor
Supervisor
Supervisor
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project – maximum of 400 words (box will expand as you type).
Note that this information will be published on the web in order to attract student applicants and therefore be
mindful of any Intellectual Property issues
Porous media are materials composed of a network of pores confined in a solid matrix. They are important
for a large range of real life applications such as in the oil, gas and process industry, structured lightweight
materials, and studies of flow properties. The morphology of the pores is usually a result of the material
properties and fabrication methods, but inevitably leads to a random meshwork of pores. 3D printers have
recently offered the opportunity to control the size, shape and location of the voids in the porous morphology,
thus expanding the applicability and performance of porous media in ever more exciting ways.
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The goal of this project is to develop a systematic approach to the different geometrical morphologies that
can be theoretically designed in porous media. We have already identified some interesting geometrical
morphologies. The successful student will start from these preliminary geometries and build up a set of
geometries to expand the capability of our 3D printing approach and the applications of the resulting porous
media. Specific constraints will be progressively considered, such as maximization of exposed surface area
and void fraction while maintaining a good equilibrium between the size of the pores and of the solid
elements to maintain structural integrity. The problem can be formulated as an optimal control problem and
will be solved using MATLAB or an equivalent software. Finally, the student is expected to make
recommendations on the appropriate geometries for specific applications in chemical engineering. Success
of this project will lead to the improvement of the current 3D printing capability developed at UC, with
possible commercialization benefits.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
NA
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
NA
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project –
maximum of 100 words.
The student will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment with researchers from Mathematics, Material
Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Mechatronics, and will be exposed to a highly dynamic project
funded by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. The student will primarily improve his/her
skills in generation of new porous geometries, but the real advantage is the possibility to apply theoretical
considerations in a real word application with strong commercialization possibilities.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
The successful student needs to have excellent grades in mathematics or engineering mathematics courses,
needs to be skilled in MATLAB or an equivalent, and highly motivated to work in a team. The background of
the student will be in mathematics or a related discipline, preferably with interests in solid geometry. An
engineering student with a strong mathematical background would also be considered.
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