polymer (SMP) morphing structures activated by Joule heating, aiming to achieve large, rapid, and repeatable motion without reliance on motors or complex assemblies. A central scientific opportunity is to exploit structural instabilities—where non-linear mechanics can amplify motion via snap-through (non-linear snap-back)—so that relatively small, localised actuation produces large, global shape change. The project will investigate how to encode and control these instabilities in additively manufactured architectures, enabling robust “motion amplification” while maintaining structural integrity and repeatability.
Research objectives
The PhD student will develop and test electroactive morphing structures that deliberately exploit mechanical instabilities to enhance actuation authority. The work will combine design, modelling, fabrication, and experiments to deliver design principles for instability-enabled electroactive morphing.
The PhD will involve
- Design and modelling of instability-enabled morphing architectures, including bistable and snap-through structures (e.g., shells, arches, lattices, hinge-inspired unit cells) to achieve motion amplification and controlled deployment paths.
- Development and fabrication of electroactive 4D-printed specimens (single- and multi-material), integrating conductive pathways and actuation zones compatible with Joule heating.
- Experimental characterisation of actuation and instability behaviour, including kinematics (fold angle/displacement), force/energy landscape, repeatability over cycles, and failure modes under repeated snap-through events.
- Electro-thermal diagnostics and actuation control, including resistance monitoring, Joule-heating strategies, and thermal-field measurement to manage hotspots and enable repeatable triggering.
- Iterative design–build–test cycles leading to demonstrator-level building blocks (not a one-off prototype), with generalisable design rules for instability-amplified, electroactive morphing.
Further information
Why join this project?
This PhD project is part of HORUS 4D, a £2.2M consortium comprising six academic institutions in the UK and France dedicated to advancing 4D printing. The selected candidate will operate at the forefront of morphing structures research, developing foundational principles that could support future technologies across aerospace, space systems, robotics, transportation, and biomedical devices. They will have access to cutting-edge manufacturing and characterisation facilities and will be immersed in a research environment focused on high-impact, interdisciplinary engineering science. The position offers numerous networking opportunities, including participation in workshops and international conferences. Additionally, three-month secondments at partner institutions will be incorporated into the work plan.
Host: School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, UK, ESTACA Ecole d’Ingénieurs, France. Supervisors: Francisca Martinez Hergueta, Matteo Taffetani, Thuy-Quynh Truong-Hoang, Marcelo Dias
Funding for eligible candidates is sponsored by Dstl.
Successful candidate will be expected to start their position in September 2026 (duration 3 years).
