Mathematical Modelling of Polymer Crosslinking Processes
Engineering, IT, Mathematics and Statistics
ABOUT THE INDUSTRY PARTNER
BlueScope is an Australian-born global success story spanning 15 countries and is a global leader in premium branded coated and painted steel products. Value-added metallic coated and painted steel products are developed and manufactured in Australia for use in the global building, construction, and manufacturing sectors. Iconic brands, such as ZINCALUME® steel and COLORBOND® steel, have established BlueScope’s reputation as a world class manufacturer of coated steel building products.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Industrial experience: Operating within a multidisciplinary industrial/academic team.
- Applied mathematics: Bridging the gap between pure mathematics and applied materials science.
- Innovation: Generating new knowledge to form a platform for materials innovation.
RESEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED
During thermal curing of a paint system a critical and complex crosslinking process takes place. The resultant crosslinked structure gives rise to the bulk mechanical properties of the cured paint film and establishes molecular structure and arrangements important to the durability of the paint film against weathering. Similarly, the kinetics and influences of the crosslink destruction process during weathering are an important input to predicting future durability performance. BlueScope seek to develop a topological model of the processes of crosslinking and de-crosslinking of polymers during curing and weathering events respectively.
SKILLS WISH LIST
If you’re a postgraduate research student and meet some or all the below we want to hear from you. We strongly encourage women, indigenous and disadvantaged candidates to apply:
Required:
- Specialization in topology and computation
- Persistent homology
- Graph theory and spectral analysis
- Discrete geometry
Optional:
- Computational and programming proficiency
- Physics and domain knowledge
- Statistical mechanics
- Dynamics of soft matter
- Translation of mathematical constructs into physical models
- Familiarity with polymer physics
RESEARCH OUTCOMES
Expected Process:
- Model network topology.
- Develop applied mathematical paradigms for physical phenomena.
- Develop and apply artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to physical problems.
Expected Outcomes:
- Mathematical models.
- Accompanying documentation describing assumptions and limitations of the developed models.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
The intern will receive $3,300 per month of the internship, usually in the form of scholarship payments.
It is expected that the intern will primarily undertake this research project during regular business hours and maintain contact with their academic mentor throughout the internship either through face-to-face or phone meetings as appropriate.
The intern and their academic mentor will have the opportunity to negotiate the project’s scope, milestones and timeline during the project planning stage.
Please note, applications are reviewed regularly and this internship may be filled prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is identified. Early submissions are encouraged.
INTERNSHIP CONTACT
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