Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)
PhD Project Template:
PI name & contact details:
Department
Has project been agreed with
head (or nominee) of proposed
registration school?
Dr. Peter Tiernan
Design & Manufacturing Technology
YES
Research Centre / group
affiliation:
Materials and Surface Science Institute
Research group / centre
website:
www.ul.ie/mssi
PI website / link to CV:
http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Faculties/Science_%26_Engineering
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
The PI’s research interests lie in metal processing technologies, materials testing and materials
science. In particular, the PI has a research focus on high temperature testing and processing of
biomedical alloys such as Nitinol (NiTi alloys). The PI and his group have developed high
temperature testing and processing capabilities.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Title:
An investigation of the Thermal Fatigue Mode of Failure of High-Temperature Materials
Description:
The PhD project will investigate the thermal fatigue mode of failure of high-temperature materials
used in high temperature machinery. Samples will be machined from various alloys and tested for a
defined number of cycles at elevated temperatures. Consequently, a thermal-fatigue life will be
predicted from the test programme. An investigation of the alloy microstructure at fatigue crack
sites in the alloy will be conducted.
Unique selling points of PhD project in UL:
UL have the test and analysis equipment to carry out the proposed test programme. In particular, UL
have high temperature test capabilities for metallic materials. PhD students within the PI’s research
group have developed this technology over the past 5 years.
Furthermore, an impressive collection of microscopy and other analysis equipment is available
within the laboratories of the Materials and Surface Science Institute at UL.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Materials Science
Mechanical Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Please indicate whether students can apply
for:
Sandwich programme only
Full PhD programme only
Either of the above

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

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