Stability of Soap Films and Foams (WHITTAKERR_U27EMPSFP)
Key details
- Application Deadline
- 31 July 2026 (11:59 pm UK time)
- Location
- UEA
- Funding Type
- Self-funded (Home students only)
- Start Date
- 1 October 2026
- Mode of Study
- Full time
- Programme Type
- PhD
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Project Description
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Robert Whittaker(opens in a new window)
Foams, comprising thin liquid films surrounding many small gas bubbles, have many domestic and industrial applications. These often rely on properties such as a high interfacial area, surface activity and yield stress. Foams can also be used as proxies for the structure of more complicated biological systems. The structure of a foam us largely determined by the minimization of the interfacial surface area. For relatively dry foams, this is dominated by the surface films, but there is also a contribution from the joins — known as Plateau borders — between the surfaces.
In any application, the stability of the foam will be important. We may want to promote either a stable long-lived foam, or an unstable foam that quickly breaks down. Previous work by the supervisor and a collaborator has investigated the stability of a single twisted Plateau border. Initially, just the effects of the connected surfaces were considered, and then some simple ad-hoc mechanics of the Plateau border were added too. Theoretical results were compared with simulations conducted using the 'Surface Evolver' software.
In this project you will continue the investigation of the stability of foams using theoretical mathematical modelling techniques. The starting point will be to develop a model for the mechanics of the Plateau border, to correctly account for restoring forces in response to extension, bending and twisting. Further work will look at integrating models for a single Plateau border to determine the bulk properties of a whole foam.
Further details of the supervisor’s work in this area can be found at: https://robert.mathmos.net/research/soap-films/(opens in a new window)
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in Mathematics, or physics/engineering with a strong mathematical and continuum mechanics modelling background.
Funding
This project is offered on a self-funded basis. It is open to applicants who are self-funded or who are in the process of securing external funding. Details of tuition fees can be found here.
A bench fee is payable in addition to the tuition fee, to cover the cost of specialist equipment and laboratory facilities required for the research. Applicants should contact the primary supervisor for details of the bench fee applicable to this project.
If you are part of the UEA alumni community, you may be eligible for a tuition fee discount. The UEA Alumni 10% Tuition Fee Discount Scheme(opens in a new window) offers a 10% reduction for eligible alumni, while the and UEA 30% Final Year Undergraduate Continuation Scholarship(opens in a new window) offers a reduction of up to 30% for qualifying applicants. Visit each scholarship page for full eligibility details.
For information on doctoral funding, visit our Postgraduate Student Loans(opens in a new window) page.
References
Stability of a Helicoidal Surface inside a Cylinder with Pinned Diameters
Whittaker & Cox, 2015, QJMAM 68(1), 23–52.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/qjmam/hbu026
Stability of Twisted Plateau Border with Line Tension and Bending Stiffness
Whittaker & Cox, 2019, IJAM, 84(2), 385–415.
https://doi.org/10.1093/imamat/hxy063