Design, Production and Mechanical Testing of Nitinol Lattice Structures

The production of metallic lattice structures has seen a growing interest in recent years due the capability via metal AM to produce these and the capability of modelling software to design and simulate the effects of such structures. Using lattice structures rather than solid structures allows for reduction in material usage and a more optimised meeting of the external mechanical loading. This is facilitated by taking advantage of the mechanics of structural design. Lattice structures are particularly interesting for use with nitinol material. Nitinol is used for stent application in various structural design configurations. Nitinol is also used a the core material in heat pumps and actuators. In these latter two applications, it is required to input and extract the heat quickly from the nitinol material. In this project, nitinol lattice structures will be designed, fabricated and mechanically tested. Mechanical property assessment and its optimisation is the main focus of this PhD. Knowledge of the ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and fatigue strength of the material structure combination, and how these are achieved, are required for the successful implementation of nitinol lattice structures within these applications. 

Why choose to complete a PHD with the AMS CDT?

4 year PhD in a well established Centre

•€22,000 stipend

•Industry co-created project

•Academic and Industry Supervisor

•Technical and Transferable Skills Training in collaborations with University of Sheffield and University of Manchester

•Generous Budget

•Conference travel opportunities