Polymers for Medical Device Engineering: Laser and Plasma Interactions

Summary

Exciting APA (Industry) scholarship on an ARC Linkage project involving hermetic bonding of polymers. Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian permanent residents.

Supervisor

Professor David McKenzie.

Research location

School of Physics

Program type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

The student will join a strategic research team which is developing bonding technologies for polymers and focused on successful commercial outcomes for industry. This PhD position is part of a collaborative research program between the University of Sydney, Cochlear Ltd and Raymax Lasers Pty Ltd.

Please note that an additional PhD opportunity exists in the physics and chemistry of polymer bonds.

Cochlear is a world leading manufacturer of implantable devices for the restoration of hearing to the profoundly deaf. Raymax Lasers is a Sydney based company that develops and supplies industrial laser technologies to industry. The project aims to develop hermetic bonding of polymers initially for biomedical applications using laser and plasma physics methods. New technologies will benefit from the ability to produce strong hermetic bonds between polymers without the need for adhesives.

This project is concerned with modification of polymer surfaces using plasmas and the bonding of the surfaces with state-of-the-art laser technologies. Surface analysis of polymers using techniques such as contact angle measurement and a range of spectroscopies such as FTIR, UV and XPS will be conducted.  Analysis and optimisation of the bonding mechanisms will be carried out using modelling, including finite element methods. This project will involve close interaction with Raymax Lasers.

Additional information

In addition to the academic requirements set out in the Science Postgraduate Handbook, you may be required to satisfy a number of inherent requirements to complete this degree. Example of inherent requirement may include: 

• Confidential disclosure and registration of a disability that may hinder your performance in your degree;
• Confidential disclosure of a pre-existing or current medical condition that may hinder your performance in your degree (e.g. heart disease, pace-maker, significant immune suppression, diabetes, vertigo, etc.);
• Ability to perform independently and/or with minimal supervision; Ability to undertake certain physical tasks (e.g. heavy lifting);
• Ability to undertake observatory, sensory and communication tasks;
• Ability to spend time at remote sites (e.g. One Tree Island, Narrabri and Camden);
• Ability to work in confined spaces or at heights;
• Ability to operate heavy machinery (e.g. farming equipment);
• Hold or acquire an Australian driver’s licence;
• Hold a current scuba diving license;
• Hold a current Working with Children Check;
• Meet initial and ongoing immunisation requirements (e.g. Q-Fever, Vaccinia virus, Hepatitis, etc.)

You must consult with your nominated supervisor regarding any identified inherent requirements before completing your application.

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 822

Other opportunities with Professor David McKenzie