PhD Engineering

We are looking for a bright, highly motivated and committed student for PhD research in materials and polymer chemistry, which will investigate into developing bespoke and fully-biodegradable electrically conductive materials (for printed track) and encapsulating materials for sustainable wearable e-textiles applications.

Multifunctional e-textiles offer a transformative solution with added electrical, thermal, and optical functionalities to interface with the human body, enabling continuous monitoring, collection, and communication of physiological parameters. However, one of the major challenges remains in area of material sustainability. This PhD project is designed to develop sustainable conductive inks that can be inkjet-printed onto biodegradable textile substrate. This whole system will be designed in a fashion that they can easily be disintegrated, recycled or degraded into non-toxic organic molecules in certain conditions at the end of their life. Hence, The PhD project will also investigate the alternative degradation, disintegration (physical/chemical) of developed e-textiles, recover/reclaim chemicals, and investigate methods (risk mitigation) to chemically degrade materials or reuse parts (such as electrical components used for Bluetooth) that are not degradable. PhD students with a strong background in chemistry, polymer science and a keen interest in experimental work to join us in a range of exciting new problems in this emerging area of wearable e-textiles.

This PhD studentship will contribute to already funded EPSRC New Investigator award that will develop Sustainable wearable e-textiles for remote monitoring of atrial fibrillation patients. The student will be working in a group that offers a close-knit vibrant environment for highly motivated individuals in cutting edge scientific discovery and technological innovation areas. Department of Engineering already has facilities for material synthesis, ink formulations, surface engineering and necessary characterization tools for this project.

Interest in wearable sensors is also highly welcome, as PhD projects in our group have a significant contribution of experiment, data analysis and computational work in the area of wearable e-textiles.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply.

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