PhD in Advanced Mechanical/Material Engineering areas Focusing on Design and Development of the Novel Metamaterials for Multifunctional Applications in Energy Systems (Self-Funded)

Cranfield University

There is open PhD and MSc by research positions (self-funded) available in the Centre for Energy Engineering of Cranfield University. These doctoral research vacancies are about the development of the novel hydrogen storage tanks with porous/cellular metamaterial cores. Application of this research will be in the energy supply for the transportation and home systems. You need to have an interest to develop novel materials for sustainable and renewable green energy systems. Furthermore, a good understanding of the design of engineering design will be required.This project lies at the intersection of advanced materials science, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and energy systems, with a specific focus on the design and development of multifunctional metamaterials. These engineered materials exhibit unique mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties not found in nature, making them ideal for next-generation hydrogen storage technologies.Hydrogen is widely recognized as a key enabler of the global transition to net-zero emissions, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like aerospace and automotive. Safe, lightweight, and efficient hydrogen storage remains a major challenge, and this project addresses that by developing novel metamaterial-based tank designs with enhanced performance characteristics.Additionally, the research extends to transformative applications in vibration and noise control, energy harvesting, and other multidisciplinary domains-further increasing its relevance across various engineering sectors and contributing to more sustainable, efficient, and intelligent systems.This work aligns with global priorities in energy decarbonisation, materials innovation, and green transport, making it both timely and strategically important.The primary focus of this research project is the design, development, and performance evaluation of novel multifunctional metamaterials for application in next-generation hydrogen storage systems, specifically targeting the aerospace and automotive sectors.The aim is to engineer advanced metamaterials that offer enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and multifunctionality, enabling lighter, safer, and more efficient hydrogen storage tanks. These materials will be designed to address current limitations in conventional storage systems, such as weight, safety, and energy density.In parallel, the project also aims to explore the broader applications of these advanced metamaterials in areas such as:• Noise and vibration control in transport and industrial systems• Energy harvesting to support self-powered systems• Cross-disciplinary integration, enabling smart structures and systems across engineering domainsUltimately, the goal is to contribute transformative technologies that support the decarbonisation of energy and transport, and to advance the field of smart and sustainable materials engineering.