阿斯顿大学PhD+ Studentship: Manufacturing sustainably-sourced plastic materials with fine-tuned functional properties for fresh produce packaging申请条件要求-申请方
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阿斯顿大学
PhD直招介绍
About the Project
Aston University is launching a pioneering, fully-funded doctoral scholarship scheme designed to equip researchers with the skills that are crucial for success in the digital age and to meet the demands of the new industrial revolution powered by technology. The programme will include an integrated four-month placement, as well as training in the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), leadership and business engagement.
The PhD+ programme is open to both home and international students and covers all University tuition fees regardless of nationality plus a stipend for three and a half years at UK Research Council rates (circa £20k per annum).
Details of the Project
Background
The vast majority of plastics are currently produced from fossil fuels, and this is the cause of grave environmental concerns and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. Such non-renewable resources will eventually be depleted. Moreover, most of these plastics have been designed to be incredibly durable. Consequently, these materials will persist in our environments for thousands of years (typically as landfill or in our oceans and seas). Biodegradable bioplastics produced from renewable resources represent a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics, towards a sustainable circular economy by shifting from a linear economy as per the value of “take, make and discard”.
The production of bioplastics from waste resources using bioprocesses is known as waste-to-wealth, whereby for example, agricultural waste can be valorised into renewable bioplastics with biodegradable characteristics, offering an ideal solution to waste management and sustainable plastics simultaneously. Plastic materials for packaging applications require certain functionalities and characteristics, such as appropriate mechanical and barrier properties. However, the formulation of such plastics using (solely) renewable resources that meet the requirements of widespread use (i.e. cheap production, safe and appropriate performance) is not trivial.
Our research group has recently developed an innovative, integrated and scalable process to valorise cassava peel waste into short-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (scl-PHA) and we have been able to control the thermal and mechanical properties of scl-PHA by blending with polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT, which is also a biodegradable polymer), to produce sustainable plastic materials. However, the mechanical properties of scl-PHA polymers are limited and therefore, innovative ways to produce more flexible biopolymers are necessary to meet the market demands.
Objectives
Building on our previous work, this interdisciplinary PhD project aims to develop novel sustainable plastic materials with enhanced functionalities by combining bioprocessing, polymer science and extractive technologies to contribute to a circular plastics economy.
The specific objectives are:
To identify and valorise relevant land waste into mcl-PHA by integrating green chemical conversion and biotechnologies.
To combine mcl-PHA with renewable additives (e.g. extract phytochemicals for proteins) for the formulation of sustainable plastic materials, serving as substitutes for currently used additives derived from petrochemical sources.
To assess the mechanical, thermal, functional and barrier properties of plastic materials using a wide range of analytical techniques.
We expect that the outcomes of the project will contribute to the development of sustainable plastic materials for food packaging thus, providing a beneficial impact on our environment, society and economy.
References:
Martinaud, E. et al., (2024). Valorising cassava peel waste into plasticized polyhydroxyalkanoates blended with polycaprolactone with controllable thermal and mechanical properties. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 32(8), 3503-3515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-023-03167-4 .
Talan, A. et al., (2022). Biorefinery strategies for microbial bioplastics production: Sustainable pathway towards Circular Bioeconomy. Bioresource Technology Reports, 17, 100875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2021.100875 .
Supervisor: Alfred Fernandez-Castane
Programme Length: 3.5 years
Prospective Start Date: 1 October 2025
Key words: Waste-to-wealth; packaging materials; biomass upgrade, biotechnology; integrated processes
阿斯顿大学 PhD+ Studentship: Manufacturing sustainably-sourced plastic materials with fine-tuned functional properties for fresh produce packaging项目有没有奖学金，是不是全奖Phd招生，下面我们一起看一下【大学名称】Phd的奖学金资助情况
项目资助情况
Studentship funding is open to UK and international students.
International students will require a student visa to be able to study in the UK. Check this web page( https://www.aston.ac.uk/current-students/support-services/international/prospective-students/visa-application-overseas ) for further information.
阿斯顿大学Phd申请条件和要求都有哪些？PhD+ Studentship: Manufacturing sustainably-sourced plastic materials with fine-tuned functional properties for fresh produce packaging项目是不是全奖？有没有奖学金？下面我们一起看一下阿斯顿大学申请Phd直招需要具备哪些条件和要求，以及托福、雅思语言成绩要到多少才能申请。
申请要求
The successful applicant should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, a First or Upper Second Class award in their Undergraduate Degree, and/or a Merit or Distinction in their Masters Degree, in relevant subjects.
Overseas qualifications will be considered but performance must be equivalent to the requirements stated above, and the University reserves the right to ascertain equivalence according to its own criteria.
Applicants should have a degree in Biochemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Biotechnology or a related discipline. The applicant should demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to prepare presentations, reports and journal papers, as well as excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment. Demonstrable experience working in a laboratory environment and willingness to learn new experimental/analytical techniques is essential.
Proof of English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they have met the following English Language requirement before enrolment.
Proof of English Language proficiency does not need to be submitted at the time of application, but does need to be provided in good time before the start of the programme.
We do not accept online/home versions of English tests. We accept IELTS (Academic) with an overall band score no lower than 6.5 (with no individual band less than 6.0)
Applicants may be exempted from these English language test requirements if they have studied for a minimum period of one year in the UK and achieved at least a 2:2 within the last five years.
Please note that these are the minimum entry requirements, and you may not be shortlisted if other candidates can demonstrate higher academic achievement or English Language proficiency.
报名方式
申请链接
联系人
邮箱：pgr_admissions@aston.ac.uk
招生人信息
Dr Alfred Fernandez-Castane
邮箱：a.fernandez-castane1@aston.ac.uk
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