PHD RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP FROM SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND AT NUI GALWAY IRELAND 2011

4-Year Funded PhD Research Studentship in Biomedical Fluid Dynamics at NUI Galway, Ireland 2011
Study Subject(s):Fluid dynamics in the hinge region of mechanical heart valves.
Course Level: PhD
Scholarship Provider: NUI Galway, Ireland
Scholarship can be taken at:Ireland

Eligibility:
Applicants should have a first class honours or 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in mechanical, biomedical or aerospace engineering, or a related discipline. Relevant experimental experience and a strong interest in fluid dynamics are desirable. An annual stipend of �18,000 will be paid, in addition to full university fees.

Scholarship Open for International Students: No

Scholarship Description: A fully funded 4-year PhD studentship is available at NUI Galway, Ireland, for research on fluid dynamics in the hinge region of mechanical heart valves. This scholarship is funded by Science Foundation Ireland through the Research Frontiers Programme, and will be supervised by Dr. Nathan Quinlan. Mechanical heart valves (MHVs) have been highly successful in giving relief from life-threatening heart valve disease. However, they are associated with elevated risk of haemolysis, thrombosis, and thromboembolism. Valve hinges are believed to be critical sites for thrombus formation because of the unnatural fluid dynamics that occur there, with resultant high stress on cells. Better valve design will require a deep understanding of fluid mechanics in and around the hinge. At NUI Galway we have developed a unique approach in which valve flow is scaled up and slowed down (while preserving correct physics) to enable enhanced measurement of the small and rapidly evolving flow structures which occur in turbulent flow and may interact directly (and harmfully) with blood cells. We have already successfully used this system to measure (with particle image velocimetry) the flow downstream of the open valve at unprecedented resolution. In the present project, we will extend this approach to an investigation of hinge flow. In particular, we aim to determine whether the flow is truly turbulent inside the hinge, and if so to characterise and quantify the turbulence and the resulting stresses experienced by cells. These results may lead to innovative valve designs.

How to Apply: Online

Scholarship Application Deadline: 22 July, 2011

Further Phd Scholarship Information and Application

http://www.nuigalway.ie/mechbio/vacancies/phd_heartvalve_2011.html