PhD Studentship: Electroactive 4D-Printed Morphing Structures via Mechanical Instabilities

4D printing is emerging as a transformative manufacturing paradigm in which 3D-printed structures are engineered to change shape over time in response to external stimuli. In an engineering context, this enables a new generation of morphing structures that are lightweight, compactly stowed, and capable of autonomous reconfiguration—offering major advantages for applications where conventional mechanisms are the opposite. This PhD will explore electroactive shape-memory polymer (SMP) morphing structures activated...

Opportunity details

4D printing is emerging as a transformative manufacturing paradigm in which 3D-printed structures are engineered to change shape over time in response to external stimuli. In an engineering context, this enables a new generation of morphing structures that are lightweight, compactly stowed, and capable of autonomous reconfiguration—offering major advantages for applications where conventional mechanisms are the opposite. This PhD will explore electroactive shape-memory polymer (SMP) morphing structures activated by Joule heating, aiming to achieve large, rapid, and repeatable motion without reliance on motors or complex assemblies. A central scientific opportunity is to exploit structural instabilities—where non-linear mechanics can amplify motion via snap-through (non-linear snap-back)—so that relatively small, localised actuation produces large, global shape change. The project will investigate how to encode and control these instabilities in additively manufactured architectures, enabling robust “motion amplification” while maintaining structural integrity and repeatability. Research objectives The PhD student will develop and test electroactive morphing structures that deliberately exploit mechanical instabilities to enhance actuation authority. The work will combine design, modelling, fabrication, and experiments to deliver design principles for instability-enabled electroactive morphing. The PhD will involve Design and modelling of instability-enabled morphing architectures, including bistable and snap-through structures (e.g., shells, arches, lattices, hinge-inspired unit cells) to achieve motion amplification and controlled deployment paths. Development and fabrication of electroactive 4D-printed specimens (single- and multi-material), integrating conductive...

Eligibility

Minimum criteria: a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). the University’s English language requirements. Funding Tuition fees + stipend are available for Home students only To qualify as a Home student, you must fulfil one of the following criteria: - You are a UK student - You are an EU student with settled/pre-settled status who also has 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of your Programme. (International students not eligible.) Further information and other funding options. Informal Enquiries francisca.mhergueta@ed.ac.uk

Requirements

Minimum criteria: a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). the University’s English language requirements. Funding Tuition fees + stipend are available for Home students only To qualify as a Home student, you must fulfil one of the following criteria: - You are a UK student - You are an EU student with settled/pre-settled status who also has 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of your Programme. (International students not eligible.) Further information and other funding options. Informal Enquiries francisca.mhergueta@ed.ac.uk

Funding and benefits

Funding eligibility: UK Students. Funding amount: Tuition fees + stipend are available for Home students only. Tuition fees + stipend are available for Home students only

Required documents

CV, Academic transcripts, Cover letter

How to apply

Please submit: CV (including relevant projects and technical skills) Cover letter / personal statement (max 300 words) Academic transcripts (or interim transcript) Principal Supervisor Dr Francisca Martinez-Hergueta Assistant Supervisor Dr Matteo Taffetani Eligibility Minimum criteria: a 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). the University’s English language requirements. Funding Tuition fees + stipend are available for Home students only To qualify as a Home student, you must fulfil one of the following criteria: - You are a UK student - You are an EU student with settled/pre-settled status who also has 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of your Programme. (International students not eligible.) Further information and other funding options. Informal Enquiries francisca.mhergueta@ed.ac.uk

Open the official application information

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