From First Principles to Robust Design: Optimising the Platinum Plating Process for Turbine Blades & Vanes PhD

We are recruiting a PhD candidate to research the fundamental materials science principles underpinning a key industrial coating deposition process, electrodeposition of platinum. Sponsored by Siemens Energy, one of the world's leading energy technology companies, and EPSRC through the IDLA programme, this scholarship offers a £23,805 annual stipend (tax free), access to state-of-the-art equipment for coating production (both electroplating and chemical vapour deposition – CVD) and materials characterisation and performance testing, and a combined academic and industrial supervisory team. We are looking for a motivated student able to work independently in an industry-relevant challenge using fundamentally experimental methods supported by key computational modelling.

Turbine blades survive extreme oxidative and corrosive environments thanks to protective coatings, which are manufactured following a complex series of materials deposition methods and heat treatments. Electroplating of platinum is one of those key steps, used to enhance component life and reduce diffusion of undesired elements. The electrochemistry involved is complex and sensitive to the variation of several process parameters, which can lead to inconsistent coating quality. Current industrial practices rely heavily on empirical knowledge, with limited integration of predictive modelling or systematic optimisation.

This project aims to address the current knowledge gap in platinum plating by providing a solid fundamental understanding of the electrochemical process. By integrating first-principles modelling, experimental validation via cutting-edge techniques for both coating production and characterisation, and robust design methodologies, the project seeks to enhance the platinum adhesion, reduce process variability, and improve long-term durability under extreme operating conditions.

Cranfield University is uniquely positioned to address this challenge in materials science. World-class facilities are available in our Centre for Materials to produce the full coating system and test it, together with decades of expertise of a specialised academic team with strong industrial connections. A key and active partner of this endeavour will be the industrial sponsor, Siemens Energy, one of the world's leading energy technology companies.

The research project is expected to provide a fundamental understanding of atomic-scale interactions of platinum deposition on nickel-based superalloys. This would be possible by a systematic identification of key plating parameters and their sensitivity to variation via a robust design of experiments and its statistical analysis, coupled with computational modelling to explain and predict coating adhesion, diffusion and interface stability on superalloy substrates. Ultimately, performance of the optimised coatings will be tested under high temperature, cyclic and potentially corrosive conditions. If successful, the optimised coatings will enable longer component life and higher engine efficiency, which have a positive impact on the sustainability of energy generation at industrial scale.

This represents a unique opportunity for a PhD student to tackle an industrially relevant challenge in materials science hand-in-hand with world-leading organisations from academia and industry. Complemented by key computer modelling, this eminently experimental work will be enabled by access to world-class facilities, which includes the "Materials and Coatings for Extreme Environments" technology platform – Cranfield University's contribution to The Henry Royce Institute. At these facilities, the full coating system can be manufactured and tested, including platinum plating and gas-phase aluminising (CVD) at semi-industrial scale, as well as the materials characterisation required to assess coating composition, uniformity and adhesion, and also to reproduce relevant working conditions of oxidation, corrosion, thermal cycling, and thermomechanical fatigue in order to test the coatings deposited. Additional access to Siemens Energy facilities is possible for their advanced characterisation suite.

The PhD student will learn to conduct independent research with the guidance of the combined academic and industrial supervisory team, and will be supported by Cranfield's and Siemens' wider PhD student community. The student will earn a unique insight on the intersection of the worlds of academia and industry, experience in the analysis and synthesis of complex information, and first-hand experience in leading coating deposition techniques, advanced materials characterisation equipment, and relevant performance testing methodologies.

Entry Requirements: Applicants should have a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in a related discipline, such as chemistry, physics, chemical, mechanical, manufacturing, or materials engineering. International students must demonstrate a minimum of English language proficiency (CEFR level C1, equivalent to C1 Advanced from Cambridge English or IELTS overall minimum score of 6.5). Candidates should be able to research independently, be self-motivated, able to develop their computational modelling skills, and most importantly be keen to work in experimental research, ideally proving existing experience in the laboratory or an industrial production facility.

Funding: Sponsored by EPSRC and Siemens Energy, this studentship will provide a bursary of up to £23,805 (tax free) plus fees for four years. To be eligible for this funding, applicants must be classified as a Home fee status student.

Supervisors: 1st Supervisor: Dr Luis Isern Arrom; 2nd Supervisor: Professor John Nicholls.