Opportunities
I also have the following PhD positions available which can be self-funded or supported via a suitable scholarship that I can assist you in applying for. I am also willing to discuss other ideas for topics for PhD study, so please get in touch.
Include my name as supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.
Applicants should have a First or 2:1 honours degree in physics, chemistry or a relevant engineering discipline. If English is not your first language you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average of 6.5 or above with at least 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
Further information on English language requirements
Engineering active colloids for applications
Active Colloids are nano and micron scale particles that can move autonomously within fluid environments, powered by surface chemical reactions. Each active colloid can be thought of as miniature self powered device, with the potential to capture, transport and release cargo. These colloids can enable a wide range of applications including drug delivery, transporting analytes within diagnostic devices, and environmental remediation.
This PhD will focus on exploiting a recent advance in my research group that has made active colloids that change size in response to their local environment. This allows colloids to speed up and slow down, and change the rate of release of cargo molecules as they sense their surroundings.
The aim of this PhD will be to develop possible applications for these new colloids. For example, acidity can be a signal for proximity to cancer cells, and so these colloids could be engineered to slow down at low pH and release their cargo to target drug release. Other possibilities include concentrating cargo in microfluidic devices for analysis, or neutralising harmful environmental chemicals.
This experimental PhD will benefit from being conducted in a research group with a leading international reputation in this field, and also involve collaboration with biological and medical researchers.
The PhD will use the extensive facilities in my laboratory that allow active colloids to be synthesised, characterised and tested, as well as making full use of the many advanced characterisation tools available at the University. There will also be opportunities to learn about advanced image analysis techniques.
This wide set of scientific skills will be attractive to industry, where knowledge of particle characterisation and synthesis is a highly sought after skill in pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. The PhD will suit someone with a materials science or physical science background and an interest in developing new applications for an exciting new type of material.
Autonomous small-scale stirring devices to enable rapid medical diagnosis
The reliance of modern healthcare on rapid medical diagnostic devices is very clear: for example lateral flow tests are a key part of the response to Covid-19. However, many current and emerging diagnostic devices are limited by the challenges of enhancing mass transport and fluid mixing at small-scales. Achieving rapid mass transport is key in order to allow diagnostic molecules to be efficiently captured for detection.
The aim for this PhD is to investigate a new technology that can enhance mass transport in diagnostic assays and devices, by stirring very small volumes of fluid. This stirring technology is based on the ability to cause micron and nanoscale objects to rapidly rotate using chemical reactions and surface tension effects.
The PhD project will use computational fluid dynamics modelling to design new diagnostic devices and assays based on this new stirring technology. Simulations will allow the effectiveness of our current stirrers to improve diagnostic performance to be determined, and direct the design of a new generation of stirrers.
This PhD will be supported by ongoing experimental laboratory research in my group, involve collaboration with biological and medical researchers, and give opportunities to interact with companies who are interested in this technology.
The modelling tools and methods that will be used are widely applied in industry, and so the PhD will provide a valuable transferable skill set, as well as giving extensive experience in interdisciplinary working. Opportunities for training and participation in commercialisation activities will also be available.
The PhD will suit someone with a physical sciences or engineering background and an interest in using simulation and modelling tools to develop a new approach to medical diagnosis.
Continuous manufacture of materials for energy storage
Manufacturing high performance batteries is a key requirement to address the pressing challenges of climate change. Battery technology is critical in enabling electric vehicles and storing renewable energy.
This PhD will provide the opportunity to research new methods to make highly structured materials that can transform battery technology using industry ready methods.
A key goal of the project will be to instigate a continuous manufacturing process for thin films with highly ordered structures that can serve as structural templates for electrodes and charge separators.
The templates will be made from the self-assembly of regular spherical particles spread as a suspension continuously onto a moving substrate.
The PhD will develop methods to observe the self-assembly process, and use these insights to optimise the structure formation process, assisted by machine learning. The project will also investigate new continuous processes to convert these templates into battery components.
By gaining experience in state-of-the-art battery manufacturing methods, including roll to roll solution casting via slot die and blade spreading, process optimisation tools such as machine learning, and process metrology, the student will develop a highly desirable skill set which will be attractive to a rapidly growing industry sector. The PhD student will benefit from the large range of expertise, interaction with several related research programs, and facilities for energy storage research in the host department.
The PhD will provide full training in the project specific skills, and is suitable for applicants from a relevant a physical science or engineering background with a keen interest in conducting materials research to address a key societal challenge.