AI-Driven Solar-Laser Hybrid Sintering for Lunar Regolith Metamaterials

About the Project

Supervisory team: Dr. Ye Li

This project investigates the microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviour of laser-sintered lunar regolith. Combining advanced microscopy, nano-/micro-mechanical testing, and graph neural network modelling, the research will uncover how glass formation and pore topology control strength, enabling predictive design of next-generation regolith-based building materials.

Building structures on the Moon or Mars is no longer science fiction, it is an engineering frontier. Future space missions will require infrastructure built in situ from local materials, rather than transporting heavy supplies from Earth. Laser and solar sintering of lunar regolith (the dust and rock covering the Moon’s surface) offers a revolutionary path to fabricate landing pads, shelters, and roads directly on extraterrestrial terrain.

However, sintered regolith forms a complex glass–crystal composite with irregular pores and melt necks, and its mechanical performance remains poorly understood. Unlocking how these microstructures control strength and stiffness is essential before this technology can be trusted for real construction beyond Earth.

This PhD project aims to decode the process–microstructure–property relationships in laser-sintered regolith and develop AI-assisted predictive models for their mechanical behaviour. Working with samples produced under controlled laser parameters, the student will characterise phase assemblage, glass formation, pore morphology, and micromechanical properties using advanced tools such as SEM/BSE, X-ray CT, nanoindentation, and micro-pillar compression. These results will form the foundation of a graph neural network (GNN) that learns how microstructural descriptors govern stiffness and strength, enabling predictive and interpretable design of regolith-based building materials.

The project bridges materials science, mechanics, and artificial intelligence, positioning the student at the cutting edge of space manufacturing and sustainable infrastructure research—pioneering materials that could one day support human life on the Moon.

What’s in it for you?

• conduct pioneering research in space construction materials within the University of Southampton’s world-class laboratories for materials testing and data-driven engineering
• gain hands-on experience with advanced microscopy (SEM, XCT), nano-/micro-mechanical testing, and AI modelling
• join an interdisciplinary team spanning civil, mechanical, and material engineering, and collaborate with international partners in regolith processing and lunar infrastructure
• build highly transferable skills for careers in materials research, AI-assisted design, or aerospace and construction innovation.

You will receive training in:

• advanced microstructural characterisation (SEM, XCT, Raman, XRD)
• micromechanical testing (nanoindentation, micro-pillar compression)
• data analytics and machine learning for materials design

Professional development will be supported through the University of Southampton’s Doctoral College, including courses in research methods, scientific writing, and communication. Opportunities for teaching, supervision, and international collaboration will be available.

Entry requirements:

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in one of the following or a related field:

• mechanical engineering
• civil engineering
• mechanics

Required qualifications:

• high motivation, self-direction, and a proactive approach to research
• excellent communication and teamwork skills for effective collaboration.
• IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers

Preferred qualifications:

• experience in particle bed 3D printing, cementitious materials, micromechanics, machine learning, or characterization
• proficiency in coding and computational tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, FEA, CAD)
• strong academic writing skills for producing high-quality research papers
• prior involvement in research projects

Fees and funding:

Full scholarships include tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate for up to 3.5 years (totalling £20,780 for 2025/26, rising annually). UK, EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. Chinese Scholarship Council funded students are eligible for fee waivers. Funding for other international applicants is very limited and highly competitive. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply.

How to apply:

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• select Full time or Part time
• search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
• add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

• a cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the project
• your detailed CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date
• a 1–2 page research plan (preferred)
• IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers