Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.
Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.
Deadline: 29 November 2026
South West, All England
This project is one of a number in competition for a studentship from the Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath. If successful, this studentship is expected to commence 04 October 2027.
An alternative start date may be possible if agreed with your intended supervisors and the Doctoral College.
Project Description
| Passive flow rectification is fundamental to a wide range of engineering systems, enabling directional fluid transport without active control. In applications such as cryogenic pumping, aerospace propulsion, energy conversion and process engineering, fluid flows are often highly oscillatory, with performance strongly influenced by the behaviour of passive valve components. Despite their widespread use, the mechanisms governing efficient flow rectification under high-frequency conditions remain poorly understood, limiting the development of next-generation fluid systems. This PhD project will investigate the design, modelling and optimisation of passive flow rectification devices, with a particular focus on reed valves and Tesla-type valvular conduits. The research is motivated by recent developments in liquid hydrogen pumping technologies, where compact, lightweight and highly efficient check valves are required to operate reliably under demanding dynamic conditions. Reed valves offer attractive characteristics due to their low mass, rapid response and simple construction, but their performance is governed by complex fluid-structure interactions that are difficult to predict and optimise. Understanding the relationship between valve geometry, material properties, dynamic behaviour and flow losses will be a central objective of the project. The student will develop advanced computational models to simulate passive valve behaviour under steady, pulsating and oscillatory flow conditions. These models will be validated using experimental measurements obtained from dedicated test facilities capable of reproducing the high-frequency flow environments encountered in practical systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying the key parameters that determine rectification efficiency, pressure loss, durability and operational bandwidth. In parallel, the project will investigate Tesla-style valvular conduits, which achieve directional flow resistance through geometry alone and therefore contain no moving parts. Such devices have the potential to deliver exceptional reliability and compatibility with harsh environments, including cryogenic applications. However, their effectiveness in high-frequency and oscillatory flows remains largely unproven. Through a combination of modelling and experimental investigation, the project will establish the conditions under which Tesla-inspired designs can provide meaningful flow rectification and determine how their performance compares with conventional reed valves. The project will generate new understanding of passive flow control mechanisms and deliver validated design methodologies for future fluid systems. The outcomes are expected to benefit applications ranging from liquid hydrogen infrastructure and cryogenic pumps to renewable energy systems, aerospace technologies and advanced industrial fluid handling equipment. |
Applicants must have, or be about to obtain, a UK Honours degree 1st or 2.1, or international equivalent. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants, who are not currently studying in the UK, must meet the programme’s English language requirement before the application deadline – no exceptions will be considered.
Applicants will be considered for a studentship. Studentships cover tuition fees, provide a £1k per annum training support fee, and a maintenance stipend (£21,805 2026/27 rate). International students will be required to cover the cost of a Student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge from personal funds.
Informal enquiries are encouraged. Direct these to
| [email protected] |
Please follow the below instructions carefully.
You must make a formal application via the University of Bath’s online application form for a
Please note that you can apply for a maximum of two PhD projects on this programme.
In the ‘Funding Your Studies’ section, you must select ‘University of Bath URSA’ from one of the drop-down menus.
In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, you must quote the project title in the PhD project title field, and you must quote the lead supervisor’s name in the field ‘Name of intended supervisor at University of Bath.’
If you are applying for two projects, you must quote the project title for your second choice project in the field ‘Project 2 Title’ and the lead supervisor’s name in ‘Name of intended supervisor for 2nd choice project at University of Bath.
You must ensure that you follow the above steps correctly. Failure to complete these steps will cause errors in the automated processing of your application and may mean that you are not considered for a particular project.
The Faculty of Engineering and Design at the University of Bath has studentships available for Home and Overseas students. However, in line with UKRI policy, the number of studentships available to Overseas students are capped.
A world-class University in a World Heritage city At Bath, we are known for excellence in teaching and research, o...
Wed 11 Nov 2026