Developing Sustainable Additive Manufacturing Techniques for Geopolymers in Daytime Radiative Cooling Applications

Description

This PhD project aims to advance circular science and engineering by developing metakaolin geopolymers through additive manufacturing (AM) to achieve maximum heat dissipation for daytime radiative cooling applications. These 3D-printed geopolymer scaffolds, with carefully designed overall shapes, hierarchical microstructure, and special multilayer stacking, will be used as radiative coolers for outdoor electronic devices to preserve operational efficiency and service life.

With the ongoing implementation of new semiconductor technologies, electronic devices operating under direct sunlight, ranging from solar panels and power electronics to telecommunication equipment, face overheating-related failures and hazards. This has led to a growing demand for cooling technologies to ensure that each unit in a complex electrical system works within an appropriate temperature range, thereby maintaining overall performance.

Daytime radiative cooling (DRC) offers a novel method for passively cooling by reflecting sunlight and utilises the infrared atmospheric window to release heat into outer space without energy consumption.  Geopolymers, made of construction by-products such as metakaolin, fly ash, and slag, are sustainable and low-carbon materials with high solar reflectance and mid-infrared (MIR) emissivity, making them promising candidates for DRC.

This PhD project aims to advance circular science and engineering by developing metakaolin geopolymers through additive manufacturing (AM) to achieve maximum heat dissipation for daytime radiative cooling applications. These 3D-printed geopolymer scaffolds, with carefully designed overall shapes, hierarchical microstructure, and special multilayer stacking, will be used as radiative coolers for outdoor electronic devices to preserve operational efficiency and service life.

As the key aspect of this study, the student will engage with material circularity by reusing printed geopolymer components in subsequent manufacturing cycles or repurposing them for alternative processes, which intends to minimise waste generation, extend product lifespan, and mitigate environmental degradation, contributing to a circular economy. This studentship will benefit from facilities, resources, and expertise in materials science, sustainable manufacturing, and thermal engineering available at both the UoL and NTHU.

We want all of our staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting 

those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result.

We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Email your CV, cover letter, project title and reference number to Dr Yu Chen (Yu.Chen4@liverpool.ac.uk) or Dr Esther Garcia-Tunon Blanca (Esther.GTunon@liverpool.ac.uk)

Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form [How to apply for a PhD - University of Liverpool] applying for a PhD in Materials Engineering.