Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Martin Hartl, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Martin Hartl, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
doc. Ing. Jaroslav Katolický, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jiří Pospíšil, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Jaroslav Juračka, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Radomil Matoušek, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Josef Štětina, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Pavel Hutař, Ph.D.
doc. Ing. Petr Blecha, Ph.D., FEng.
prof. Ing. Petr Stehlík, CSc., dr. h. c.
Councillor external :
Ing. Jan Čermák, Ph.D., MBA

The main goal of the doctoral study programme is, in accordance with the Higher Education Act, to train highly qualified and educated professionals who are capable of independent scientific, research and creative activities in the field of design and process engineering. The graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills that enable them to work at Czech or international academic institutions or research institutes. The programme focuses on theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience in the field of doctoral studies. Cooperation with international research institutes is highly supported. The study programme is designed to fulfil demands and meet societal and industry requirements for highly educated and qualified professionals in the fields of design and process engineering.
Doctoral study programme is primarily based on research and creative activities of doctoral students. These activities are intensively supported by student participation in national and international research projects. Research areas include design (analysis, conception, design of machinery, vehicles, machine production and energy) and process engineering (analysis, design and projection of processes in the engineering, transport, energy and petrochemical industries).

A graduate of the doctoral study programme is a highly qualified expert with broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which enables him/her to carry out creative and research activities both independently and/or in a scientific team. The graduate is acquainted with current findings in the field of design and process engineering and is able to apply the knowledge in his/her research or creative activities. The graduate is also able to prepare a research project proposal and to oversee a project. At the same time, the graduate is able to make use of theoretical knowledge and transfer it in practice. Moreover, the graduate can adapt findings from related disciplines, cooperate on interdisciplinary tasks and increase their professional qualifications. The graduate participation in national and international research and cooperation with international research institutions contributes to higher level of their professional competences. This experience allows graduates not only to carry out their own scientific activities, but also to professionally present their results, and to take part in international discussions.
The graduate can demonstrate knowledge and skills in three main areas and the synergy produces great outcomes.
1. Broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills closely related to the topic of the dissertation (see below).
2. Professional knowledge and skills necessary to carry out scientific work, research, and creative activities.
3. Interpersonal and soft skills and competencies - the graduate is able to present their ideas and opinions professionally, is able to present and defend the results of their work and to discuss them and work effectively in a scientific team or to lead a team.
According to the topic of the dissertation, the graduate will acquire highly professional knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, in particular in design and operation of machines, machinery, engineering processes and vehicles and transport vehicles. Thanks to the broad knowledge and skills, graduates can pursue a career in research institutes in the Czech Republic and abroad, as well as in commercial companies and applied research.

A graduate of the doctoral study programme is a highly qualified expert with broad theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which enables him/her to carry out creative and research activities both independently and/or in a scientific team. The graduate is acquainted with state-of-the-art findings in the field of design and process engineering and is able to apply the knowledge in his/her research or creative activities. The graduate is also able to prepare a research project proposal and to oversee a project. At the same time, the graduate can make use of theoretical knowledge and transfer it in practice. Moreover, the graduate can adapt findings from related disciplines, cooperate on interdisciplinary tasks and increase their professional qualifications. The graduate typically finds a job as a researcher, academic personnel, computer scientist or designer. The graduate is also well equipped with skills and competences to perform well in managerial positions.

See applicable regulations, DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)

The rules and conditions of study programmes are determined by:
BUT STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES
BUT STUDY PROGRAMME STANDARDS,
STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES of Brno University of Technology (USING "ECTS"),
DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)
DEAN´S GUIDELINE Rules of Procedure of Doctoral Board of FME Study Programmes
Students in doctoral programmes do not follow the credit system. The grades “Passed” and “Failed” are used to grade examinations, doctoral state examination is graded “Passed” or “Failed”.

Brno University of Technology acknowledges the need for equal access to higher education. There is no direct or indirect discrimination during the admission procedure or the study period. Students with specific educational needs (learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicap, chronic somatic diseases, autism spectrum disorders, impaired communication abilities, mental illness) can find help and counselling at Lifelong Learning Institute of Brno University of Technology. This issue is dealt with in detail in Rector's Guideline No. 11/2017 "Applicants and Students with Specific Needs at BUT". Furthermore, in Rector's Guideline No 71/2017 "Accommodation and Social Scholarship“ students can find information on a system of social scholarships.

The doctoral study programme in Design and Process Engineering is focused on providing the highest level of tertiary education and is a continuation of the follow-up Master's study programme in Mechanical Engineering and the Bachelor's study programme in Mechanical Engineering, which are currently accredited and implemented at FME BUT. Graduates of other study programmes interested in studying in the Design and Process Engineering doctoral study programme must prove their level of knowledge corresponding to the above-mentioned study programmes.

1. Application of artificial intelligence methods for on-line vibrodiagnostics

   The purpose of this work will be to design artificial neural network models for automatic diagnosis so that the classifier automatically recognizes anomalous states of a defined machine component. For example, AI algorithms can be trained to automatically recognize gearbox fault conditions without the supervision of a vibrodiagnostic engineer, both from acceleration time signals and from FFT spectra, spectrograms and orbits of shaft vibrations in plain bearings.

   Tutor: Matoušek Radomil, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Composite structures under dynamic loading

   Currently, behavior description of metal structure under dynamic loads is standard, with evaluation of the cyclic load or impact problems and structure warping during crash. The aim of the work should be FEM modeling system of structure behavior describing the real behavior under dynamic impact and design of damping elements ensuring the protection of the crew of the aircraft on impact. As part of the work is expected wide research of the present state, mastering the available standard FEM solvers, design methods, proposal of modeling and evaluation methods, and demonstration on real part of the structure.

   Tutor: Juračka Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Efficient approach based on up-to-date methods used in Process Engineering to solve present energy and environmental problems

   Energy consumption by the industry and civic sectors is still very much based on fossil fuels, although the gradual reduction of their use has reached important milestones. The main achievement in terms of emission reduction has been the transition to natural gas and similar sources, which feature medium Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity. There are three key issues. The first is the need to further reduce the environmental footprints of the industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The Circular Economy concept has a high potential to reduce footprints but can be limited in achieving sufficient reductions. The share of the economy-wide energy losses from primary sources to final use constitutes approximately 2/3 at least for the past decade, as can be traced by the LLNL website (LLNL, 2022). Combined with the wide variation of the energy prices for that period (EIA, 2022b), this high share persistence indicates that the main reasons for the excessive energy use, losses and emissions are not due to behavioural factors and are determined to a large degree by technological and organisational factors. The third problem is the instability of energy supply chains and the energy price escalation, which is expected to persist at least for the medium term. Having these problems under consideration, previous review works are overviewed and analysed. Naturally, there are several possible sources of potential emission reductions – reducing the inherent process energy demands either by reduced production rate or by enhanced resource efficiency, as well as reuse/recycling of products, flows of energy and materials via symbiotic networks. They have to be used to the maximum. To achieve sufficient results, it would be necessary to strictly follow a hierarchy of actions: 1) Reduction of the energy demands of the process and business operations 2) Intra-process mass and energy recovery 3) Inter-process mass and energy recovery 4) Mass and energy recovery, reuse and recycling in symbiotic networks 5) Minimisation of the logistic overheads throughout the hierarchy The main goal of this PhD research project is to develop systematic methods and tools for minimising environmental footprints and costs via research into improved Process Integration and Intensification and search for technology innovations to reduce energy losses and pollution of core production and resource recycling processes.

   Tutor: Varbanov Petar Sabev, prof. Ing. Dr. habil., Ph.D.

4. Evaluation of the fatigue life of primary composite structures

   The main goal of the doctoral study should be to solve the method of approach to the primary aircraft all-composite structure from the perspective of fatigue life. The output of the work should be a methodology for determining the residual life of the structure as a result of cyclic loading only, i.e. without the influence of the environment. The use of a methodology based on the growth rate of delamination is assumed. For experimental research, it is assumed that fatigue tests of samples of all-composite aircraft beams will be carried out. The initial task of the dissertation lever should be to summarize the current knowledge in the field of fatigue behavior of composite materials, tests, definition of different types of life evaluation and requirements of aviation regulations. In the next part of the work, the doctoral student should propose a methodology for determining the service life of the structure, substantiate the methodology with experimental research and process it into a form that enables direct application in industry.

   Tutor: Juračka Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Process Design and Optimisation supported by Life Cycle Assessment for a Sustainable Plastic Value Chain

   Plastic is an important material with multiple useful functions - packaging, building and construction, machine parts etc. Large quantities of plastics are accumulated in the environment and landfills, slowly breaking down to finer particles and leaching toxic chemicals due to the long decomposition time and improper end-of-life management. The proposed study analyses the environmental impacts, economic performance, and to an extent, the social impacts of plastic value chains. It covers stages from material extraction and manufacturing to end-of-life management. The opportunities to improve the plastic values chain will be identified and optimised by accounting for different parameters and trade-offs. Input-output analysis, Process Integration (integration of renewable energy and resources) and LCA modelling of plastic recycling will be part of the tools for achieving the goals.

   Tutor: Fan Yee Van, M.Phil., Ph.D.