PhD Studentship: Developing compact beamsteering optics for semi passive solar tracking systems

The University of Exeter’s Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully-funded by the University to commence on 06 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  The student would be based in Renewable Energy in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

Project Description:

Current solar panels work most efficiently when directly facing the sun and ideally would tilt and rotate throughout the day to stay aligned with the sun’s position. This is not practical when integrating solar panels onto rooftops or vehicles. This project prioritises the design (via software simulation) of compact optics to filter, re-orientate (called beamsteering) and focus the incident sunlight for optimum performance from solar panels throughout the day. These beamsteering optics can be made from nano-scale patterns which tailor the refractive index layers to refract the light as needed. These types of sub-wavelength scale patterned optics are referred to as metamaterials and have vast potential in developing compact and lightweight components for many applications. Beamsteering optics are most beneficial to solar concentrator photovoltaics which use lenses or mirrors to focus light onto smaller areas of photovoltaic material, reducing the carbon footprint of the system but these systems are more sensitive to changes in sun position.

All optical and solar energy theory, software and equipment training use will be provided. The student will develop a diverse skillset during the PhD project including: computational optics, electromagnetic simulation (e.g. Lumerical FDTD, Breault’s ASAP and COMSOL Multiphysics), indoor and outdoor experimental prototyping (including prototype assembly, weather monitoring and modelling) for solar energy optimisation and advanced data analysis.

Depending on the PhD’s interests there is scope to investigate interdisciplinary aspects of the project such as: the carbon footprint of the designs developed or bio-inspired geometries for example.

The Phd student will be based at the Penryn Campus but will benefit from the extensive metamaterial expertise and facilities at the Streatham campus as well as training, events and travel funding opportunities through the UK Metamaterials Network+.

This award provides annual funding to cover tuition fees and a tax-free stipend.  The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3.5 years of full-time study to commence on 06 January 2025.

International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

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