About the project
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a computer-controlled manufacturing process, creating 3D objects by subsequent deposition of layers. AM has developed rapidly over the past decade, but there is a lack of work in the field of electrical power engineering, thus the benefits of this revolutionary technique have not yet been harnessed.
In contrast to conventional manufacturing methods, such as injection moulding or extrusion moulding, AM deposits a material layer by layer on a build plate, which then results in a different material structure. A solid block of AM prepared polymer would, for example, still have noticeable layers as the polymer of the previous layer would cool down and potentially crystallise before the next layer would be deposited in the same location.
The vast majority of the published work in the field of AM focuses on mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. As a consequence, materials typically used for AM have traditionally been selected based on their mechanical properties and ease of processing. While micrometric voids, which are common side-effect of AM as a processing method, might have limited effect on mechanical properties, they are potentially critical once high electric fields are applied.
Assuming the void formation can be controlled, the use of AM opens a number of radically new design approaches, such as printing layers with different conductivity or permittivity, in order to create more effective field grading materials for HVDC and HVAC applications respectively. A major cost factor for every new component is tooling, which is where AM can drastically reduce the upfront costs for any new design, since the same machine can be used to create a wide range of different designs, with combinations of different materials. You'll be working with an interdisciplinary team in the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory on this exciting new technology.
The School of Electronics and Computer Science is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
