Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)
DCU PhD Project Template:
**Please use one form per project**
Please complete & submit to your Head of School by Monday 16th July
PI name & contact details:
Dr Garrett McGuinness
School:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Centre for Medical Engineering Research
Research group / centre website:
www.medeng.dcu.ie
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff_member.php?id_no=1241
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr McGuinness has extensive experience in research related to polymeric and composite materials,
as well as medical device design. He has recently been interested in multi-scale effects in gels and
numerical modelling of soft materials.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Modelling of Mechanical Properties and Actuation of Stimuli Responsive Gels in Lab on a Chip
Applications
This project is concerned with quantifying the mechanical behaviour of novel polymer gels
developed at DCU in relation to their application as passive valves in microfluidic sensors, suitable
for use in environmental sensing applications. In typical applications, the gels are located within
microchannels and control flow of liquids through expansion or contraction in response to a
stimulus such as pH, temperature or light. The phenomena which govern the function of such
stimuli responsive sensors are usually chemical or biochemical. However, the devices involve design
issues at the micro or macro scale. Hence there is a need for a comprehensive understanding of the
macroscale behavior of the materials in terms of continuum models incorporating hyperelasticity or
poroelasticity. The overall objective is to understand the implications of non-linear mechanical
properties for the actuation of novel gels in lab-on-a-chip devices. This will be addressed by the
development of numerical models using the finite element method. The project will involve both
the experimental measurement of the mechanical properties of a range of gels, and the
development of a finite element model of its actuation.
Unique selling points of PhD project in DCU:
This is a collaboration between the DCU School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and
the National Centre for Sensors Research (NCSR), linking to the research programme of the CLARITY
initiative which includes development of environmental sensors. The unique attraction of this
research project is the opportunity for a mechanical engineering graduate to have simultaneous
access to expertise in computational mechanics as well as the materials characterisation facilities,
microfabrication and polymer synthesis capabilities of the NCSR. The researcher will have access to
uniaxial and biaxial mechanical testing systems (Zwick Roell) and temperature controlled
rheometers, as well as training and mentorship on the use of non-linear finite element analysis
software (e.g. Ansys).
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Dr Garrett McGuinness
garrett.mcguinness@dcu.ie
+353 1 7005423
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Applications from graduates with degrees in mechanical engineering, mechatronic engineering,
mathematics and physics are welcome.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Y
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please complete