PhD fellowship: Stochastic aspects of thermodynamic irreversibility in nanoscale friction

Modern nanoscience aims at the development, control, and manipulation of miniature devices such as micro- and nano-electromechanical systems. As the size of the functional elements reduces, it leads to a significant increase of the characteristic surface-to-volume ratio, which causes serious adhesion and uncontrolled friction problems. Considerable research activity in recent years lead to the improved understanding of the basic principles of dry friction resulting from the atomic stick-slip motion, which has lead to the discovery of super-lubricity with negligible friction, or new ways to reduce wear problems under dynamical conditions. However, a complete physical picture still remains remote, which is partly due to the unavailability of multiscale models that would allow quantifying a broad spectrum of dissipative mechanisms occurring in nanoscale friction, including quantifying the role of thermal fluctuations.

This PhD project will apply the concepts of modern stochastic thermodynamics – which has been remarkably successful in studying various aspects of functioning of molecular machines, to develop a consistent mesoscopic-level irreversible thermodynamics of the heat dissipation processes occurring during friction. The entire framework will incorporate thermal fluctuations, various aspects of complexity of structural and surface disorder, and include arbitrary external force protocols including directional or cyclic forces. The candidate will work closely with our team specialising in molecular dynamics and ab-initio simulations to jointly develop multi-scale models of friction, and with our experimentalists to support experiments and validate the results.

We seek high calibre graduates in Physics, Engineering or Mathematics with a high degree of computer programming proficiency and strong mathematical skills. Knowledge of probability theory and statistical mechanics is desirable.

PhD student will be employed as Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher; salary is competitive (UK level of Marie Curie ESR level, approx. £36,000 pa).

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr. Onder Hovorka, Materials research group, Email: o.hovorka@soton.ac.uk.

To apply, please use the following website: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/postgraduate/research_degrees/apply.page