AI-Driven Design of 3D-Printable Alloys
AI-Driven Design of 3D-Printable Alloys for Extreme Environments
This project is part of the UNSW Scientia PhD Scholarship Scheme
Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend and a one-off Global Mobility Grant to conduct international engagement activities.
High-temperature alloys are the backbone of jet engines, rockets, power turbines and future space and hypersonic vehicles. However, most were designed before metal 3D printing existed, and many crack when printed.
This project will use artificial intelligence (AI) to design alloys that print reliably and withstand extreme heat, enabling rapid, local manufacture of mission-critical parts.
AI models at Arizona State University (ASU) will propose new alloys, experiments at UNSW will make and test them, and the results will improve the next round of designs.
The work starts with nickel superalloys and moves to refractory alloys, which survive higher temperatures.
The PhD builds a rare combination of skills in AI-driven alloy design and advanced manufacturing.
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- Residency: Domestic applicants only.
- Degree program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You must meet the minimum requirements below to apply:
- An appropriate Bachelor degree with first or upper second class Honours from UNSW: OR
- A completed Master by Research, with a substantial research component and demonstrated capacity for timely completion of a high-quality research thesis; OR
- a qualification from another tertiary institution at a level considered equivalent by the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (HDC)
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Eligible applicants must contact the Primary Supervisor, Vitor Vieira Rielli - v.vieirarielli@unsw.edu.au. If he agrees to supervise you, you will be invited to submit a formal application to UNSW.
Your email should include:
- CV
- Official academic transcripts
- A brief introduction about you and why you are qualified for this project.
- What interests you about this project and the supervisor(s) expertise.
Research project overview
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Scholarship value
$39,991 per annum (2027 rate) stipend for 3.5 years
$25,000 Global Mobility Grant (one-off) -
Supervisory team
Dr Vitor Vieira Rielli (UNSW, Primary Supervisor)
Prof Sophie Primig (UNSW, Co-Supervisor)
A/Prof Houlong Zhuang (ASU, Co-Supervisor)
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Global research partner
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Candidate residency
Domestic
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Degree program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
UNSW School | Research area
Faculty of Science | Materials Science and Engineering
Impact focus area
Pillar 7: Advance economic and social prosperity
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Impact focus area
Pillar 9: Strengthen societal resilience, security and cohesion
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Supervisors
Do you have questions?
The UNSW Graduate Research School manages all postgraduate research applications and scholarships. Get in touch with our team to discuss your research interests and the next steps.