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PHD STUDENTSHIP: PHYSICS-BASED MODELLING OF WEAR OF UHMWPE USED IN TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT. A NOVEL APPROACH BASED ON A COMBINATION OF LEVEL SET AND FINITE ELEMENT METHODS
national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) &
Bioengineering Science Research Group
Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment
University of Southampton, UK
Ref: SES–80–144
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: September 11th 2011
Earliest starting date: October 1st 2011
A PhD studentship is now available in the national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), & Bioengineering Sciences Research Group, School of Engineering Sciences (SES), which fully covers University tuition fees (at EU/UK level**) and provides a tax-free bursary of £13,900 per year, rising every October in line with the UK Government (EPSRC) recommended rate, for a 3-year duration. **EU/UK fees £3732 p.a., Overseas fee £16,120 p.a. (figures subject to annual increase).
This position is available to EU/UK applicants only, unless additional funding/scholarships are obtained by the student to cover the overseas fees difference (£12,388 for 2011/12).
** THE POST WILL BE ADVERTISED UNTIL THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED **
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Wear of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the limiting factor influencing the longevity of total joint replacement (TJR). Currently, wear of TJR designs is assessed through experimental tests, but these are expensive, time consuming and as a consequence are only able to assess a limited range of activities. Rigid body dynamics and finite element techniques have been developed to simulate wear. They provide greater flexibility and allow a more rigorous analysis of the wear potential for new implant designs. However, current techniques do not account explicitly for material removal and complex multi-phase interactions.
Borrowing recent ideas from computer graphics developed for the movie and gaming industries, the goal of this project is to develop a generic computational modelling platform combining level set and fast marching methods together with finite element techniques to simulate explicitly the wear of UHMWPE. Level set and/or fast marching methods will be used to track interfaces between virgin and worn UHMWPE phases while finite element techniques will handle the physics-based constitutive equations describing the behaviour of UHMWPE.
The project will involve a close interaction with the Schools of Mathematics and Engineering Sciences and therefore a multi-disciplinary approach to this research will be essential. External collaborations with national/international groups involved in advanced numerical techniques will be strongly encouraged.
The ideal candidate will have a background/interest in any of the following:
• Applied mathematics
• Mathematical and computational modelling techniques
• Continuum mechanics
• Computer Science
Ability to program in any appropriate programming language (C, Fortran, Matlab or Python) and experience in a finite element application such as ABAQUS, COMSOL and/or mathematics packages such as Mathematica/Maple/Matlab would be a definite advantage. However, relevant training will be provided.
The School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Southampton has an international reputation for research excellence. In the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise, the School (in collaboration with the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research) ranked second in the total number of Unit 28 academics whose research was deemed world leading or internationally excellent.
The national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) has recently been created from a £10M initiative, funded by EPSRC, to prepare the next generation of engineers to underpin tribology in the UK. nCATS will exploit strong interdisciplinary collaborations across the University (marine biology, chemistry, electrochemistry, mechanical engineering, medicine, statistics, applied mathematics and electronics) to develop smart / multifunctional surfaces and predictive tools for advanced tribological interactions. A strategic research alliance with over 28 leading international industry partners is also in place to explore the critical tribological design issues and enable surface interactions to occur with minimal energy loss and impact on the environment.
The School is a diverse community which is committed to creating an inclusive working and learning environment in which all individuals are equally treated and valued, and can achieve their potential. The School considers all studentship applications in relation to academic criteria and regardless of the individual's race, nationality, gender, or belief.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates will have a first class or upper second class degree (or its equivalent) in relevant disciplines, for example:
• Applied Mathematics
• Physics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computational Physics/Engineering
• Computer Science
• Computer Graphics
Commencing from 1 October 2011
Closing date for applications: September 11th 2011. The position will be available until a suitable candidate has been found.
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Georges Limbert, national Centre for Advanced Tribology & Bioengineering Science Research Group, Email: g.limbert@soton.ac.uk , Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2381.
How to apply: An on-line application form (or hard copy version) with guidance notes can be accessed here: http://www.soton.ac.uk/ses/courses/pg/pgapply.html
Please read the notes carefully before applying. Applications will only be considered on receipt of a completed application form.
You can attach supporting documents to the on-line application. If unable to do this, please email to Jacqui Holmes J.Holmes@soton.ac.uk (copy to Georges Limbert), g.limbert@soton.ac.uk (or fax/post if unable to send them electronically):
Jacqui Holmes, Postgraduate Admissions, Graduate School Office, School of Engineering Sciences, Room 4009, Lanchester Building, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
Fax: +44 (0) 2380 59 5167.
Please ensure you include a personal statement in your application, stating why you particularly want to do a PhD, why you think you are suited to a research degree and what particularly attracts you to this project.
Please also visit www.soton.ac.uk/ses for further information about the Faculty and its research activities.
national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) &
Bioengineering Science Research Group
Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment
University of Southampton, UK
Ref: SES–80–144
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: September 11th 2011
Earliest starting date: October 1st 2011
A PhD studentship is now available in the national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), & Bioengineering Sciences Research Group, School of Engineering Sciences (SES), which fully covers University tuition fees (at EU/UK level**) and provides a tax-free bursary of £13,900 per year, rising every October in line with the UK Government (EPSRC) recommended rate, for a 3-year duration. **EU/UK fees £3732 p.a., Overseas fee £16,120 p.a. (figures subject to annual increase).
This position is available to EU/UK applicants only, unless additional funding/scholarships are obtained by the student to cover the overseas fees difference (£12,388 for 2011/12).
** THE POST WILL BE ADVERTISED UNTIL THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED **
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Wear of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the limiting factor influencing the longevity of total joint replacement (TJR). Currently, wear of TJR designs is assessed through experimental tests, but these are expensive, time consuming and as a consequence are only able to assess a limited range of activities. Rigid body dynamics and finite element techniques have been developed to simulate wear. They provide greater flexibility and allow a more rigorous analysis of the wear potential for new implant designs. However, current techniques do not account explicitly for material removal and complex multi-phase interactions.
Borrowing recent ideas from computer graphics developed for the movie and gaming industries, the goal of this project is to develop a generic computational modelling platform combining level set and fast marching methods together with finite element techniques to simulate explicitly the wear of UHMWPE. Level set and/or fast marching methods will be used to track interfaces between virgin and worn UHMWPE phases while finite element techniques will handle the physics-based constitutive equations describing the behaviour of UHMWPE.
The project will involve a close interaction with the Schools of Mathematics and Engineering Sciences and therefore a multi-disciplinary approach to this research will be essential. External collaborations with national/international groups involved in advanced numerical techniques will be strongly encouraged.
The ideal candidate will have a background/interest in any of the following:
• Applied mathematics
• Mathematical and computational modelling techniques
• Continuum mechanics
• Computer Science
Ability to program in any appropriate programming language (C, Fortran, Matlab or Python) and experience in a finite element application such as ABAQUS, COMSOL and/or mathematics packages such as Mathematica/Maple/Matlab would be a definite advantage. However, relevant training will be provided.
The School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Southampton has an international reputation for research excellence. In the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise, the School (in collaboration with the Institute of Sound & Vibration Research) ranked second in the total number of Unit 28 academics whose research was deemed world leading or internationally excellent.
The national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) has recently been created from a £10M initiative, funded by EPSRC, to prepare the next generation of engineers to underpin tribology in the UK. nCATS will exploit strong interdisciplinary collaborations across the University (marine biology, chemistry, electrochemistry, mechanical engineering, medicine, statistics, applied mathematics and electronics) to develop smart / multifunctional surfaces and predictive tools for advanced tribological interactions. A strategic research alliance with over 28 leading international industry partners is also in place to explore the critical tribological design issues and enable surface interactions to occur with minimal energy loss and impact on the environment.
The School is a diverse community which is committed to creating an inclusive working and learning environment in which all individuals are equally treated and valued, and can achieve their potential. The School considers all studentship applications in relation to academic criteria and regardless of the individual's race, nationality, gender, or belief.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates will have a first class or upper second class degree (or its equivalent) in relevant disciplines, for example:
• Applied Mathematics
• Physics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computational Physics/Engineering
• Computer Science
• Computer Graphics
Commencing from 1 October 2011
Closing date for applications: September 11th 2011. The position will be available until a suitable candidate has been found.
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Georges Limbert, national Centre for Advanced Tribology & Bioengineering Science Research Group, Email: g.limbert@soton.ac.uk , Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2381.
How to apply: An on-line application form (or hard copy version) with guidance notes can be accessed here: http://www.soton.ac.uk/ses/courses/pg/pgapply.html
Please read the notes carefully before applying. Applications will only be considered on receipt of a completed application form.
You can attach supporting documents to the on-line application. If unable to do this, please email to Jacqui Holmes J.Holmes@soton.ac.uk (copy to Georges Limbert), g.limbert@soton.ac.uk (or fax/post if unable to send them electronically):
Jacqui Holmes, Postgraduate Admissions, Graduate School Office, School of Engineering Sciences, Room 4009, Lanchester Building, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK.
Fax: +44 (0) 2380 59 5167.
Please ensure you include a personal statement in your application, stating why you particularly want to do a PhD, why you think you are suited to a research degree and what particularly attracts you to this project.
Please also visit www.soton.ac.uk/ses for further information about the Faculty and its research activities.