Project Outline
There is a massive demand for sustainable acoustic and thermal insulation materials for use in buildings and transport. However, the advent of these materials has been impeded by the uncertainty in the long-term material performance under variable environmental factors. Moisture is a key environmental factor, its effects on the acoustic and thermal properties of porous media made from natural fibre have been poorly understood and deserve systematic research.
Further project information
This project aims to reduce the reliance on man-made materials that dominate the current thermal and acoustic insulation market for building and transport applications. It will develop next-generation of natural-fibre insulation based on renewable fibrous materials engineered into smart lightweight porous structures. These structures will combine thermal insulation, moisture buffering and acoustic absorption, offering a compelling route towards healthier, lower-carbon buildings and transport. Currently, acoustic properties of these materials are characterised under controlled, nominally dry conditions. Moisture uptake can alter fibre properties, pore structure, but the complex relationship between moisture state, acoustic and thermal response remains poorly understood. This project will radically change the current material characterisation process.
New nature-inspired wool-fibre insulation systems will be provided by Wull Technologies Ltd and used as principal case study. This PhD will first establish how moisture affects the acoustic behaviour in fibrous material structures. It will investigate how moisture uptake and release modify fibre properties, pore structure, and acoustic response. The PhD will identify the fibre- and pore-scale mechanisms that govern these interactions. Building on this mechanistic understanding, a further objective will be to explore whether changes in acoustic response can provide useful, non-destructive information about the moisture condition of the material. This understanding will be translated into material and system design, with prototypes manufactured at scale and validated through full-scale acoustic testing at Salford (random-incidence absorption and transmission loss to relevant ISO methods), assessed against manufacturing constraints, retrofit requirements, cost and certification routes.
The project sits at the intersection of materials science, building physics and acoustics, giving the student the opportunity to move from fundamental experimental investigation through to sustainable material design, prototype development and full-scale validation. More broadly, the research will establish new scientific and engineering principles for moisture-resilient, acoustically effective bio-based materials across low-carbon building applications.
The appointed student will be provided with substantial financial support to travel extensively in the UK and overseas to visit potential partners, production sites and to present the results of their work at high-profile international events. The student will also receive extensive training in acoustics, machine learning, material science, communication skills, related legislation, outreach and communication skills. Furthermore, the student will gain valuable product development experience in a leading manufacturer of natural fibre insulation
Subject Areas
- Material science
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
Required technical skills/academic qualifications/experience
Applicants should have a 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate degree or a master’s degree in material science, chemistry, physics or related areas of engineering.
We particularly encourage applications from women and other groups under‑represented in research. All appointments will be made on merit.
Mode of attendance
Successful applicants are expected to register as full-time students. However, eligible UK home fees applicants may request to be considered for part-time mode of attendance by the supervisory team.
Supervisors
Project Partners
This project will be hosted at the University of Sheffield with support from Wull Technologies
