White Rose Scholarship, Mechanical Engineering, UK

Characterisation of material and surface properties to improve functional, ergonomic and affective experiences in the home

Closing Date: 29th May 2009

Project supervisors:

Lead Supervisor: Dr Ray Holt, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds

Co-Supervisor: Dr Paul Cairns, Computer Science, University of York

Details of studentship: White Rose Studentships arise from a special relationship between the three White Rose Universities – University of Leeds, University of Sheffield and University of York. The studentship is collaborative in nature; each studentship involves supervisors from two of the White Rose Universities. The studentship commences full-time PhD study in September/October 2009 and is tenable for up to 3years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. The studentship provides academic fees at the UK/EU rate and an annual maintenance grant (£13,290 in Session 2009/10, to be increased in line with the standard research council maintenance grant). To be considered applicants should hold a 2i or better Bachelors degree in engineering or a related subject.

Details of project:
This project will investigate the role of material and texture in creating products that are both easy-to-use and desirable for older consumers, using the packaging and utensils encountered in the kitchen as a case study. This will explore three novel areas: balancing affective requirements against functional and ergonomic needs; the influence of environmental conditions on affective responses, and the use of different surface textures on different parts of a product to satisfy users varying requirements at different stages of use. The project will be carried out in three stages, involving work at both Leeds and York Universities:

1: Interview and observe users to determine their functional, ergonomic and affective requirements for packaging and utensils in the context of making a meal in the kitchen. This will be done through interviews and observational studies of users preparing a meal at the University of York’s Responsive Home Lab.

2: Characterise material and surface properties of packaging and utensils in terms of affective responses.
Affective responses to the materials and textures used in the observational studies will be gathered at the University of Leeds’ Affective Engineering lab. The properties of these materials and textures will be measured and characterised in terms of the affective responses that they evoke.

3: Propose and evaluate new combinations of material and texture for kitchen utensils and packaging which will improve performance against the identified requirements. The information gathered from the affective study will be used to propose new combinations of material and surface texture that offer an improved affective experience, which will be tested by creating prototype products and repeating the original observational study.

Training provision for student
The student will be based in the University of Leeds, which provides a professional development scheme for all its postgraduate students to identify and meet their training needs.

Interested students should contact:
Dr Ray Holt, University of Leeds Email: r.j.holt-at-leeds.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 113 3437936

Who do they apply to: Graduate Office, Faculty of Engineering, University of Leeds
Email: phdat-at-engineering.leeds.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 113 343 8000

How to Apply for a White Rose Studentship at Leeds
Interested applicants should read the detailed description of the relevant research project, complete an application form (I want to Apply) for a study place and a White Rose Studentship application form http://www.leeds.ac.uk/rds/postgraduate_scholarships/wrs-app.doc.

Application packs are available from the Postgraduate Scholarships Office, Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Building, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT (email: scholarships-at-leeds.ac.uk).

Completed White Rose Studentship application forms should be returned to the Postgraduate Scholarships Office, Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Building, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT.

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