University of Leeds — Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Supervisors: Dr Bing Zhang, Dr Hamed Yazdani Nezhad, Prof Robert Kay
Applications accepted all year round. Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide).
About the Project
This PhD research will develop the next generation of through-thickness reinforced composites, potentially involving materials manufacturing, experimental characterisation and AI-assisted numerical modelling.
There is an unprecedented need for composites with a good balance between in-plane and out-of-plane properties to meet Net Zero. The novel through-thickness reinforced composites to be developed in this project will have an enhanced 3D balance and promote the wider adoption of composites across various industries. It allows the manufacturing of lighter and stronger structures, which supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by improving energy efficiency, reducing material use, enabling sustainable infrastructure, and reducing carbon emissions.
This PhD research will be supervised by a strong and complementary supervision team: Dr Bing Zhang specialising in through-thickness reinforced composites, Dr Hamed Yazdani Nezhad in nano composites, and Professor Robert Kay specialising in materials manufacturing. This PhD project will join a collaboration with the NCC, Rolls-Royce plc, Magma Global, and Bristol Composites Institute. The successful candidate will conduct this project at the Advanced Composites Manufacturing Group of iDRaM, with access to world-class composites manufacturing and characterisation facilities at the School of Mechanical Engineering and the Bragg Centre for Materials Research.
An inclusive environment and supportive application process: As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education.
Interested? Discuss this PhD Opportunity with Dr. Bing Zhang by contacting: B.Zhang2@leeds.ac.uk
Funding Notes
This PhD project is open to highly motivated applicants from all nationalities worldwide. We welcome applications from self-funded students, as well as those holding external corporate or government sponsorships.
Exceptional candidates with an outstanding academic record are also strongly encouraged to apply and compete for prestigious university and international scholarships, as listed in this link: Research degrees funding | University of Leeds.
Project supervisors
Dr. Bing Zhang
Dr. Bing Zhang conducted his PhD research on Through-Thickness Reinforced Composites at the Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) and the Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol. Following his PhD, Dr. Zhang worked as a post-doctoral researcher at BCI and was a core team member of the Rolls-Royce Composites UTC. In 2023, Dr. Zhang joined the University of Leeds as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. He also possesses 15 months of full-time experience in industry as a Research and Development engineer. Dr. Zhang's research interests focus on Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites, encompassing various aspects such as failure and fatigue, through-thickness reinforcement, electrical performance, and health monitoring, including self-sensing. He has been involved in multiple projects funded by organisations such as EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the GW4 Alliance, and his research outcomes have been applied by both industrial and academic users, including Rolls-Royce and the National Composites Centre. Dr. Zhang has demonstrated a strong commitment to student education, successfully supervising or mentoring a diverse group of students from level 1 to PhD students.
Research interests
Dr Zhang's research interests focus on Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites, specifically in areas such as failure and fatigue, through-thickness reinforcement (including Z-pinning and tufting), electrical performance, and health monitoring (including self-sensing). His PhD research was conducted on through-thickness reinforced composites at the Bristol Composites Institute and the Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Centre. Dr Zhang has been involved in various projects funded by organisations including EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the GW4 Alliance, and his research outcomes have been utilised by both industrial and academic users, such as Rolls-Royce and the National Composites Centre.
Dr Hamed Yazdani Nezhad
Dr Hamed Yazdani Nezhad's profile is coming soon.
Professor Robert Kay
Professor Robert Kay is a Professor in Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Leeds, with extensive experience in manufacturing processes research in both industrial and academic settings. He developed a novel electroforming process during his doctoral studies, which led to the founding of MicroStencil Limited in 2003. This venture involved securing equity funding, scaling technology for commercial production, and establishing a diverse customer base with leading electronic manufacturing firms. His commercialisation experience contributed to an industrial case study for Heriot-Watt University under REF2014. Since starting his first academic post in 2012, Professor Kay has focused on interleaving various digital fabrication processes to create new capabilities within engineered functional devices. He has successfully secured funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as a Principal Investigator, enabling him to develop speculative manufacturing concepts and collaborate with industrial partners. His research has significantly advanced the fields of additive manufacturing and direct write processing, leading to transformative approaches for producing next-generation products.
Research interests
Professor Kay's research focuses on developing digital fabrication processes for the manufacture of functional devices across various application areas and industries, including high-performance ceramics, medical devices, electronic systems, and wearable technology. Current research includes 3D manufacture of advanced engineered ceramics, digital fabrication of high-performance electronics, robotics in manufacturing, creation of condition monitoring systems for orthopaedic implants, and hybrid additive manufacturing processes research. He is also the Technical Lead for the University of Leeds on the £22.6 million Strength in Places Fund Advanced Manufacturing Productivity Institute.