Stability of Soap Films and Foams (WHITTAKERR2_U26EMP)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 31 January 2026 for International, 31 March 2026 for Home
- Location
- UEA
- Funding type
- Self-funded
- Start date
- 1 June 2026
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Primary supervisor - Dr Robert Whittaker
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.
Entry requirements
The standard 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-funding basis. It is open to applicants with funding or those applying to funding sources. Details of tuition fees can be found here.
A bench fee is also payable in addition to the tuition fee to cover specialist equipment or laboratory costs required for the research. Applicants should contact the primary supervisor for further information about the fee associated with the project.
UEA Alumni 10% Scholarships - A scholarship of a 10% fee reduction is available to UEA Alumni looking to return for postgraduate study at UEA, Terms and conditions apply. For a postgraduate master’s loan, visit our Postgraduate Student Loans page for more information.
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
Further details of the supervisor’s work in this area can be found at: https://robert.mathmos.net/research/soap-films/