Regeneration of Polyester Fibres from Used Garments via a New Chemical Recycling Technology

53m tonnes of fibres globally and 1m tonnes of textiles in the UK are consumed annually, of these, the majority end up in landfill or incineration, and currently only 1% of used textiles are recycled back into textile manufacture. <br /> <br /> More than 60% of fibres used in making apparel are polyester. However, these fibres are rarely recycled; thermoplastic synthetic plastics degrade during the melting process3. Toxic and hazardous solvents (including ionic liquids) used chemical recycling can prevent fibres from being up/recycled. <br /> <br /> In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DES) have been demonstrated as viable alternatives for ionic liquids in the glycolysis and hydrolysis of polyester to monomers. The potential of which broadens the possibility of commercially viable recycling and upcycling of textile polymers.<br /> <br /> This project will present a solution to the problem of synthetic textile waste. Successful applicants will investigate a novel technology of incomplete hydrolysis of polyester fibres in an optimised DES formulation. This will produce oligomers (10-20 units, which can be reassembled into polymers), rather than monomers which are formed by existing technologies (e.g., Worn Again), to engineer a novel polyester recycling technology for the regeneration of recycled polyester into high performance polyester fibres. <br /> <br /> The project will explore a vast variety of DES for dissolving polyester fabrics and employ modern statistical techniques such as Design of Experiment (DoE) and Machine Learning (ML) to help optimise the DES formulations for the polyester dissolving and fibre formation processes. <br /> <br /> As well utilising world-leading School of Design facilities, the project will incorporate process development expertise and flow equipment within the Institute of Process Research and Development (iPRD). <br /> <br /> Successful applicants will join a cohort of LITAC-funded scholars, who meet regularly in quarterly Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange (CAKE) sessions, which are designed to prepare researchers with skills relevant to their academic career. Topics covered include - speaking and presentation skills, a guide to funding poster exhibits, and how to maximise the use of a travel allowance.<br /> <br /> As a Scholarship-awardee, you will receive of a range of benefits: as part of the project, domestic fees will be fully covered, along with a maintenance grant that is commensurate to the living-cost allowance offered by the UKRI. In addition, we offer a flexible 10k budget (GBP) for consumables and travel.

<p><strong>Industrial Collaborations:</strong></p> <p>The successful applicant will join the<strong> <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/leeds-institute-textiles-colour">Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC)</a></strong>, a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with external partners, both industrial from across the world, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. LITAC is focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes. Technology-driven sustainable development is a major part of our work, hosted by the School of Design at the University of Leeds. </p> <p>The School of Design is a world leading research centre with a focus in creativity and developing innovative materials and manufacturing solutions with interdisciplinary researchers and industrial partners.</p> <p>We have a strong industrial collaboration with UK and international based textiles and natural polymers manufacturing industries. These industrial collaborators along with potential multinational fashion brands will work closely with the PhD student.</p> <p><strong>Duration of the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full-time (3 years), pro-rata for part-time. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Funding</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Fees</li> <li>Maintenance (£18,622 in Session 2023/24 for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata at 60%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.</li> <li>Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1 Feb 2025</li> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.<br />  </li> </ul>

<p><strong>Stage 1</strong></p> <p>First, apply for a research place of study, through the<a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon"> online application form</a>. Please state clearly that the funding you wish to be considered for is<strong> ‘LITAC – Regeneration of Polyester Fibres from Used Garments via a New Chemical Recycling Technology’ </strong>with Professor Ningtao Mao and Dr. Bao Nguyen as your proposed supervisors. You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/design-research-degrees/doc/apply-9">eligibility criteria </a>for PhD candidates.</p> <p>In order to be considered for the Studentship you must submit all the required supporting documents for your application for PhD study.</p> <p>Please note that you will not need to submit a Research Proposal as part of your application for this project. In place of a Research Proposal please can you submit a<strong> statement which conveys your motivation and enthusiasm for the project</strong> as outlined in the Scholarship advert. See stage 2 below.</p> <p>Once you have received your student ID number (a 9-digit number) move onto stage 2. </p> <p><strong>Stage 2</strong></p> <p>Apply for the LITAC - Regeneration of Polyester Fibres from Used Garments via a New Chemical Recycling Technology’ by completing the <a href="https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/leeds/litac-regeneration-polyester-fibres-from-used-garments">Scholarship Application Form</a>. You must submit your scholarship application by <strong>17.00 p.m. on 1^st November 2024.</strong></p> <p>The scholarship application includes the supporting statement referenced in Stage 1. This statement should demonstrate your suitability for your intended PhD Project and not be longer than two pages. The statement should specifically include details on your interest in the project and why you have chosen to apply for this in particular. The statement should also include how you will apply your current skills, knowledge and experience to undertake the PhD and the approach you would take to develop the project.<br />  </p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants should have at least a first class or an upper second-class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in Textile Technology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering or another appropriate undergraduate or Masters discipline. <br /> <br /> Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for this research degree course are advised to contact Professor Ningtao Mao (main supervisor) prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for this research degree course are advised to contact Professor Ningtao Mao (main supervisor) prior to making an application.</p> <p>For further information please contact the PGR Admissions team on ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</p>