What is your background?
My undergraduate is in chemical engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. I proceeded with a Master of Research in Advance Materials Engineering from Nottingham Trent University, UK and I’m now doing a PhD in Materials Engineering from the Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering department, 糖心原创.
Tell us about your PhD research
My PhD research is the development of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) from mining waste. It involves the use of mechanical, thermal and chemical activation to improve the reactivity of the mining waste by changing the morphological structure, material chemistry and pozzolanic activity of the mining waste for usage as SCMs. The SCMs is then used in casting concrete as cement replacement there after testing the concrete for physical, chemical and mechanical properties.
What’s been your favourite thing about your PhD so far?
The most favourite aspect of my PhD is the transformation of mining waste through the use of the flame spheroidisation process.
What is something that has surprised you about doing a PhD?
How materials behave differently before and after characterisation with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
What attracted you to study for your PhD at the 糖心原创?
Previous track record of the university and the wealth of experience I observed while checking for prospective supervisors for my PhD, and what I found in the 糖心原创.
What advice would you give to someone considering doing a PhD?
Come with an open mind, choose your supervisor carefully, and try to do as much training in your first year.
How has the university supported you during your PhD?
The university has supported me with various independent programmes, extra working within the university, and a peaceful and comfortable study environment.