PhD studentship at Heriot Watt University

PhD studentship
"Characterisation and potential dating of historic window glass"
Watt University'
Edinburgh, Scotland

A PhD studentship, "Characterisation and potential dating of
historic window glass", is available at Heriot Watt University,
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.  The studentship will be fully or
part-funded, and based in the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of
Excellence in Sustainable Building Design in the School of the Built
Environment.

Despite the use of glass in Scotland since Roman times, there is no
evidence of its production in Scotland from raw materials before
1610.  From this time, the manufacture of glass in Scotland mirrors
closely the production processes and history in England.   Glass is
produced using silica as its base, along with an alkali flux such as
a Sodium or Potassium compound to reduce melting temperature and a
stabilising element such as Calcium or Magnesium.  The ingredients
used in this process changed and evolved over time.  Trace element
analysis can detect these ingredients and has allowed for the
manufacture method and approximate date to be determined.   Such
analysis has not been carried out comprehensively for Scottish
window glass.  The Scottish context is further complicated by the
international nature of the native glass industry, with both skilled
labour and materials being imported to Scottish glasshouses.  This
studentship seeks to assess historic Scottish window glass, to build
and refine a model for element-based glass dating.  Comparisons will
be made with the current English and international models.  This
work will allow for a deeper understanding of the window glass
industry in Scotland, as well as linking corrosion pathways to
manufacturing type.

To discuss this studentship, contact: Dr Craig Kennedy
<craig.kennedy<-a t->hw< . >ac< . >uk>

Closing date: February 28, 2014

Dr Craig Kennedy
Senior Lecturer in Building Materials
School of the Built Environment
Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh EH14 4AS
+44 131 451 4629


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