LITAC Scholarship - Smart Fibre and Textile Development for Ultrasonic Monitoring

Smart textiles, which have a breadth of applications, can also carry various technical limitations, especially those that rely on printing or embroidery to integrate electronics into the material with poor comfortability and durability for users, difficult integration with rigid integrated circuit components.

In this work, we aim to address these limitations and optimise the development of smart textiles by way of developing a self-functionalising, ultrasonic imaging textile. Piezoelectric fibres will be developed with synthesis of novel high-performance piezoelectric nanocomposites, but also novel fibre battery, semiconductor and conductors.

The project will directly contribute to healthcare, such as monitoring of cancer (e.g. breast cancer), bone fracture and implants, with a lower cost for daily home monitoring. Beyond, it potentially benefits to in-situ engineering composites monitoring.

The successful applicant will join the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC), a collaborative international research Institute that applies academic expertise, working together with external partners, both industrial from across the world, to address global challenges and sustainable development in textile and colour industries. We are focused on the development of innovative science and technology, materials, methods and processes by technology-driven sustainable development at University of Leeds.

Topics include, developing speaking and presentation skills, delivering compelling research posters, maximising the use of a travel allowance and more.

Duration of the Award

• Full-time (3 years), pro-rata for part-time. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 and a half years (pro-rata for part-time), subject to satisfactory academic progress.

Funding

• Full Fees
• Maintenance (£19,237 in Session 2024/25 for full-time study, part-time will be pro-rata at 60%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate.
• Please be aware that any expenses related to the relocation of international students to the UK (visa, insurance, NHS fees, flights, etc) would be their responsibility and is not covered by this award.

Other Conditions

• Awards must be taken up by 1^st of October 2025
• The awards are available for new Postgraduate Researchers undertaking full-time or part-time research study leading to the degree of PhD. Students who are already registered for PhD research study are excluded from applying.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements for PGR (Masters by research or PhD) study is 2.1 honours degree. For PhD, a Masters or Integrated Masters degree isn’t a requirement but is advantageous given the volume of applications we receive – ideally you will have achieved a distinction or at least a merit, especially in your Masters dissertation or final research project. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Design is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component or equivalent.

How to apply for this position could refer to more details at: phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/399-litac-scholarship-smart-fibre-and-textile-development-for-ultrasonic-monitoring

Contact details

For further information please contact the Admissions team on ahcpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk, and Prof Yu Shi y.shi2@leeds.ac.uk

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