PhD position on guiding and confining mechanical wave energy in 3D chiral metamaterials

PhD position on guiding and confining mechanical wave energy in 3D chiral metamaterials

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain
As doctoral candidate within this project you will work on practical implementations of metamaterials for vibration reduction. Standard metamaterial modelling considers an infinite periodic structure consisting of a single unit cell. Practical applications require addressing 2 additional questions: (i) how do edges of finite samples affect the efficiency and (ii) can transmission reduction be achieved by aperiodic structures. To do thisYou create large-scale finite element models of complex dynamic structures and analyse their vibrational propertiesYou investigate the behaviour of 0-dimensional 2-dimensional and 3- dimensional defects in (chiral) metamaterials, with respect to the propagation and confinement of mechanical power, using numerical and analytical methodsYou design and measure prototypes to validate the numerical modelsYou delve into the possibilities of several classes of materials, such as viscoelasticity or piezoelectricity, and identify the ideal solution for specific problems. Your profile

• At the time of application, I have not been awarded with a PhD;
• I have not resided in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment;
• I hold a Master’s degree (or other equivalent) in Mechanical, Structural/Civil, Biomedical, Physics or Materials Engineering (or related disciplines). I have an excellent academic track record.
• During my courses or prior professional activities, I have gathered some experience with at least one of the following: principles of vibrations and acoustics, structural dynamics, numerical modelling techniques (finite element method), or experimental methods in acoustics. I have a profound interest for these topics.
• As a researcher I perform research in a structured and scientifically sound manner. I read technical papers, understand the nuances between different theories and implement and improve methodologies myself.
• In frequent reporting, varying between weekly to monthly, I show the results that I have obtained and I give a well-founded interpretation of those results. I iterate on my work and my approach based on the feedback of my supervisors which steer the direction of my research.
• It's important for me to work as an active team member and I am eager to share my results to inspire and being inspired by my colleagues.
• I regard this PhD program in the frame of the MSCA Doctoral Network as my step on path to scientific excellence. I am excited to represent the MetacMed research group at project meetings and conferences. I see these events as an occasion to disseminate my work to an audience of international experts and research colleagues, and to learn about the larger context of my research and the research project.
• I look forward to my secondments at other Institutions that are participating in this project.