Multi-Scale Modeling of Recyclable Composites for Zero-Waste Manufacturing

In sustainable industrial development, the creation of structural composite parts with zero waste production is increasingly vital. To achieve this, two primary actions are necessary: (i) promoting the use of recycled materials, and (ii) minimizing and controlling defects in the final product. Currently, manufacturers rely on empirical engineering methods and trial-and-error, which inadequately address the impact of defects on mechanical performance and compromise structural durability. This issue is exacerbated when the materials are recycled.

In the context of the program PhD thesis we seek an exceptional PhD candidate to develop a numerical multiscale methodology. This methodology will quantify defects, classify their severity, and optimize manufacturing processes toward a zero-waste goal using recycled materials.

This project is subscribed into the "Future, Breakthroughs & Impacts 2025" research program is jointly supported by the Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) and the Carnot Institute Télécom & Digital Society (TSN). Its goal is to foster scientific renewal by funding outstanding "exploratory" doctoral theses. These projects aim to implement a long-term vision and test innovative scientific approaches that break away from the current state of the art.

PhD thesis will be in collaboration between IMT Nord Europe (www.imt-nord-europe.fr ; Centre for Material and processes) and Ghent University (UGent), Mechanics of Materials and Structures (MMS) research group (https://www.ugent.be/ea/match/mms/en).

Public establishment belonging to IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom), placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, IMT Nord Europe has three main objectives: providing our students with ethically responsible engineering practice enabling them to solve 21st century issues, carrying out our R&D activities leading to outstanding innovations and supporting territorial development through innovation and entrepreneurship. Ideally positioned at the heart of Europe, 1 hour away from Paris, 30 min from Brussels and 1h30 from London, IMT Nord Europe has strong ambitions to become a main actor of the current industrial transitions, digital and environmental, by combining education and research on engineering and digital technologies. For more details, visit the School’s website: www.imt-nord-europe.fr

The MMS research group, part of UGent's Department of Materials, Textiles, and Chemical Engineering (MaTCH), comprises 30 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers specializing in the experimental and computational mechanics of fiber-reinforced composites, polymers, foams, and additively manufactured materials. With extensive experience in finite element simulations for various composite and polymer materials, the MMS group has utilized a broad range computational techniques over the years, In particular, MMS is very strong the development of multiscale models and constitutive equations for polymers and composites combining visco-elasto-plastic behaviour with influences of temperature, crystallinity and damage. For more details: https://www.ugent.be/ea/match/mms/en

The position is vacant within the Centre for Materials & Processes where about 100 research staffs (including 35 faculty members) are performing scientific researches, cover different research fields about non-metallic materials (polymers, composites, cement and concrete, minerals, sediment) and their manufacturing processes, such as the development of advanced materials and processing technologies, circular economy and eco-materials, digital engineering (https://imt-nord-europe.fr/en/research-innovation/materials-and-processes/).

The candidate for this position must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field of engineering or applied sciences. A demonstrated background in computational mechanics combined with experimental work in testing and production of composites is a clear advantage. The selected candidate will benefit from the support of two leading research groups specializing in the experimental and computational mechanics of composites and polymers.