Master thesis: Specle analysis of package performance - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

STFIs Association of Interested Parties (STFIs Intressentförening) is an organization that has as goal to support research at RISE BioEconomy. As it is important to get students into the Pulp, Paper and Packaging industry, the association has decided to fund 2-4 MSc thesis projects during 2020. The projects should perform basic or applied research and this project is about Specle analysis of package performance.

Background
The purpose of the packages is to protect the product that are inside it. During transport and use a package is exposed to a variety of loading conditions that have different impact on the package. We know that it is important the package material have high bending stiffness to give rigidity to the package, but also that local failure and impact loading will active out-of-plane deformations in the package.

Specle analysis is a digital correlation tool, where deformation on the package can be analysed. The movement of a pattern is studied during deformation and interpretations of different deformations can be drawn. At RISE we want to start using Specle analysis more and find effective routes to incorporate the analysis to evaluated package performance.

Goal
To identify deformation and damage mechanisms in paperboard packages using Specle analysis. Based on observations the aim will be to identify critical material parameters that contribute to package performance, such that we can develop and understanding of how paperboard can be improved contribute in increased package performance.

Approach
Paperboard packages will be produced of different paperboard grades, with different grammages and with different in-plane and out-of-plane properties. Hence, it should be possible to trigger different mechanisms in the same package. The packages will be tested by point, bar and plate loading using the MTS systems at RISE, and Specle analysis will be used to study deformation patterns. In addition, to the experimental studied finite element simulations, using LS-Dyna, will be used to better understand what is happening in the package, and also to verify the experimental findings.

Requirements/knowledge
For this diploma work, the student should have background knowledge in material science, solid mechanics, chemical engineering or similar.

Terms
Project start: January 2020
Scope: 30hp
Placement: Stockholm (Drottning Kristinas väg or Kista)
Remuneration: 30 000 SEK will be paid to the student upon project completion, when the thesis has been approved by the supervisor and the examiner.

Application For more information, please contact Mikael Nygårds, Research Director, Packaging Science, RISE Innventia, Sweden, +46 768767193 or Anton Hagman, Supervisor, +46 76 8767119. Please send your CV and application as soon as possible. The deadline for the application is Dec 1st, 2019. Interviews with the candidates will be conducted continuously, and decision of acceptance can be taken before the last day of application.

Master thesis, Material science, Solid Mechanics, Chemical engineering, Specle analysis, package performance, Stockholm, RISE