"PhD 4D-printed magnetic materials for fast, wireless, remote-controlled shape-morphing devices"

You will design, manufacture, test and validate two smart material systems/demonstrators: (i) a catheter for invasive surgery with shape and property morphing and (ii) an assistive tool to navigate and guide visually impaired people. You will (i) select appropriate materials for the intended applications, (ii) by 3D printing fabricate smart material systems with magnetic shape memory materials as active components, (iii) study the effect of a number of parameters (related both to the magnetic material and the printing process) on the shape-morphing behaviour so as to obtain the optimum combination of material and manufacturing process. (iv) The results of these tests are employed to draw up a set of design guidelines that can be used by designers. The level of technological readiness of these smart materials is still low, which makes their integration in a smart material system with various segments a challenging design assignment. Therefore, it needs elaborative testing and characterisation (developing of testing procedures).

The ultimate goal is to prototype demonstrators that are responsive in a magnetic field, with fast response and remote control. These prototypes will demonstrate how appropriate integration of smart components in the structure enhances operational functionality, taking into account a complex series of boundary conditions (base functionality, reliability, processability and user experience).

Your tasks will include:

• Systematic selection of smart materials tailored to specific applications
• Designing, manufacturing, assembling, and architecting smart material systems, resulting in two functional demonstrators
• Rigorous performance evaluation under various conditions, including static and dynamic characterization

For this project, the PhD candidate will spend 6 months at Sophion (Denmark), 4 months at Technical University Denmark (Denmark) and 3 months at Excillum (Sweden).

You have a master’s degree in industrial design engineering, material science, mechanical engineering or related field (or will have by the time of your appointment). Background in materials design, experimenting and 3D printing is appreciated. You are proficient in at least one programming language (or willing to acquire this skill during the PhD).

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from Promovendus gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. Doctoral candidates are offered a competitive remuneration based on the MSCA allowances and the regulations of the host institution. The gross monthly amount at TUD will be 3.059€. Moreover, funding is available for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.