Novel High Performance Coatings - Product and Process Development
Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom
Course overview
Coatings are used for a wide range of applications with formulations developed or adapted according to the needs specific to the surfaces they are used on- smoothness, brightness, scratch resistance are among these. Challenges of global dimension experienced in the recent years have accentuated the need to develop new formulation coatings with antimicrobial properties that can be used areas of dense populations, such as hospitals, schools, in public transport to inhibit or minimise the risks of spreading diseases in the community. It has also been shown that coatings that include nanoparticles in their formulation have far more superior performance provided that a fine dispersion can be obtained through size reduction, i.e. through the deagglomeration of a hierarchy of particle clusters that typically form when fine powders are added into a liquid.
Large sizes also hinder control over the final distribution in the dried coating after solvent evaporation. This multi-disciplinary project, which will be performed in collaboration between Chemical and Materials Engineering Departments, has the overall objectives of developing a high performance coating formulation and associated processing route to achieve fine dispersions enabling control over the final coating architecture and optical properties. The project therefore has two main strands: product and process development.
There will be the opportunity to both learn about analytical techniques to determine the properties of new coatings, characterise their performance and develop related energy intensive processes to implement across a range of scales of operation. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021
Key highlights
- Develops antimicrobial coatings for hospitals, schools and public transport
- Joint project between Chemical and Materials Engineering departments
- Focuses on nanoparticle dispersion through deagglomeration of particle clusters
- Two strands: coating formulation and processing route development
- Training in analytical techniques to characterise new coating performance
- Covers scaling energy intensive processes across a range of operations
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:1 — 2:1
Scholarships
Alumni Bursary
10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 10% of feesAlumni Discount
UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.
Care Leaver's Scholarship
Excellence Scholarships
UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary
Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).
Up to £12,000London 10th Anniversary Award
£5,000 off tuition fees.
Up to £5,000Loughborough Business School Scholarship
£1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship
50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
Up to 50% of feesQatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship
Careers this course leads to
- Coatings formulation scientist
- Materials engineer
- Chemical process engineer
- Research and development scientist
- Postdoctoral research associate
- Nanomaterials scientist
Cost of study
UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £29,500
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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