Advanced Composites (Doctoral Training Centre)
The Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science Doctoral Training Centre (ACCIS DTC) offers exceptional candidates across engineering, science and mathematics the unique opportunity to become involved with groundbreaking research in composite materials and structures technologies. Over the next several decades the technological landscape will continue to evolve, with a particular shift towards high performance advanced composite materials. With drivers such as increased fuel efficiency and safety, aerospace, automotive and renewable energy industries require individuals with the qualifications and acumen to forward business and technology.
This four-year, fully funded programme includes a taught element in the first year as well as miniprojects. PhD projects are selected by students towards the end of year one. The programme provides an opportunity for individuals to become elite specialists in this field by broadening and deepening core engineering skills and by promoting the exploration of the interface between science and engineering.
The scope of research within the ACCIS DTC covers a wide-range of composite engineering. Possible fields of research include:
- Morphing structures for aircraft, cars and marine craft
- Multifunctional materials, with embedded functionality for thermal management, sensing, actuation and self-repair
- Innovative manufacturing solutions
Research Groups
The DTC is based within ACCIS, which brings together composites activities across the University, based in the Faculty of Engineering and linking to the Science and Medical Faculties. The vision of ACCIS is to be a world leading centre for composites research, combining cutting-edge fundamental science with strong industrial links for exploitation and technology transfer. ACCIS is a focus for collaboration internally, nationally and internationally, and was recently selected by UK Government to lead the establishment of the UK National Composites Centre.
Some of our staff in profile
Professor Michael Wisnom (DTC Chair, Director of ACCIS), Predicting the behaviour of composite structures and materials; application of finite element methods
Professor Paul Weaver (DTC Director), Composite structures; materials performance; cellular structures
Dr Dimitry Ivanov (DTC Lecturer), Innovative approaches to composites manufacture and modelling.
Dr Richard Trask (DTC Lecturer), Biologically inspired multifunctional composite materials; damage tolerance, self-healing.
Dr Sameer Rahatekar (DTC Lecturer):, Carbon nanotube and graphene-based nanocomposites, multiscale composites; cellulose and natural polymer-based composites; molecular-scale and continuumscale modelling of composite manufacturing.
Professor Ian Bond (DTC Research Co-ordinator), Development and performance of novel and multifunctional composite materials
Dr Ian Farrow (DTC Teaching Co-ordinator), Design of aerospace composite structures
Key Facts
| Awards Available | PhD |
|---|---|
| Research Assessment Score | n/a |
| Duration of programme | Four years full time |
| Entry requirements | An upper-second class degree in a relevant subject, at a level equivalent to a first or upper second-class UK degree. For information on international equivalent qualifications, please see our International Office website. |
| IELTS score | 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the speaking and reading bands and a minimum of 6.5 in the writing and listening bands |
| Number of places | 10 per year |
| Fees | Full-time: UK/EU £3,828; overseas £14,900 Part-time: UK/EU £1,913; overseas n/a Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to annual increase. |
| Funding Options | Enhanced EPSRC studentships covering fees and living costs are available to UK students; fees only studentships are available to EU students. International students can search for funding options on the International Office website. Further information about funding for UK students is available from the Student Funding Office |
| Admissions Statement | Admissions statement available in our A-Z of postgraduate admissions statements. |
| Application Deadline | Not fixed |
Contact Information
ACCIS Doctoral Training Centre
Graduate School of Engineering
Merchant Venturers Building
Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 1UB
Tel: +44 (0)117 331 5315
Email: composites-dtc@bristol.ac.uk
WWW: http://www.bris.ac.uk/composites/dtc