Research opportunities supervised by Dr Catherine Bishop include:
Email supervisor: catherine.bishop@canterbury.ac.nz
Grain Boundary Transitions in Strontium Titanate
Degree PhD
Project Description The structure and chemistry of grain boundaries in ionic materials can have a large effect on material properties, for example, as used in positive temperature coefficient (PTC) varistors for current protection. Simple defect chemistry models give some insight into the environment around interfaces in ionic materials. This project aims to develop more general diffuse-interface models for grain boundaries in ceramics to explore the possible interface structures (complexions) and transitions between them. Strontium titanate is a model perovskite and has been suggested as an anode in solid oxide fuel cells. Detailed data on grain boundaries in strontium titanate including misorientations, interface planes, high-resolution morphology and populations has been measured and will be used to test theories. This project would suit a student with a degree in Materials Science, Physics or related discipline. Experience with computer programming, C++ and MATLAB will also be useful.
Field of Study Materials Science
Funding Arrangements Funding is available for qualified students.
The Role of Complexions in Abnormal Grain Growth
Degree PhD
Project Description Recently, it has been shown via simple diffuse-interface models that various kinds of interface structures (complexions) can coexist in equilibrium with each other in a microstructure. The origin of this is the dependence of the grain boundary energy on the geometry of the grain boundary. Recent experiments on aluminium oxide link specific complexions to kinetic properties of those interfaces. Complexion has the potential to be a very useful paradigm for materials engineering. This project will explore the roll of complexions on abnormal grain growth. The project would suit a student with a degree in Materials Science or related discipline. Experience with computer programming, C++ and MATLAB will also be useful.
Field of Study Materials Science, Solid State Physics
Funding Arrangements Funding is available for qualified students.