Research Supervisor Connect
Lubrication is an essential and ubiquitous technology that reduces degradation by wear, increases lifetime, and reduces replacement and repair costs of moving parts in mechanical devices. Tribological contacts currently account for ~23% of global energy consumption and contributes significantly to CO2 emissions. This project addresses the urgent need to replace current products that are toxic to humans and detrimental to the environment with high performing, versatile, safe lubricants based on a novel platform technology: amphiphilic bilayer self-assemblies in ionic liquids.
In this project we will systematically vary molecular structure of amphiphile and ionic liquid components and engineer the intermolecular forces to assemble bilayers that optimise energy dissipation to improve lubrication performance. Structure and dynamics will be investigated over timescales from sub-ns to s or longer, and over length scales from molecular (within bilayers) to collective, cooperative motions by combining a range of cutting-edge X-ray, neutron beam and optical microscopy techniques, coupled to shear rheometry at local and major international research facilities. This will be used to develop the molecular design rules for formulation these novel lubricant systems.
This opportunity/project is a part of the Faculty of Science Australian Research Council (ARC) Scholarship scheme and will be advertised on the Scholarship Office website starting mid-May 2025. The selected applicant is expected to commence their candidature in July (RP3) 2025 onward. Successful applicants will be supervised by Professor Gregory Warr and Dr Haihui Joy Jiang and focus primarily on their PhD projects. They will also have the opportunity to participate in any activities held at the University of Sydney under the ARC Discovery Project (DP). Candidate will be enrolled in the School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.
Notes:
• The application process is separate from applying for admission to the University of Sydney.
• The scholarship will only be awarded once the successful applicant has received an unconditional offer of admission.
• International applicants are responsible for securing any necessary visas and costs to enable study in Sydney.
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3632