PhD Studentship: Novel chalcogenides for flexible energy harvesting and storage applications (1145719PN)

Supervisor Katrina Morgan

Co-supervisor Ioannis Zeimpekis and Daniel Hewak

Advances in flexible electronics has led to innovative products such as foldable phones, roll away TVs and wearable electronics. This however is just the beginning. Future flexible devices will revolutionize our daily lives, from health monitoring contact lenses, to solar cells sewn into our clothes. However, progress is limited by the energy platforms that are needed to supply power to these devices, which are composed of bulky, rigid batteries that require charging. But new materials can change this. 

The successful candidate will work with our experienced and highly multidisciplinary group to develop new materials, from bulk to 2D, using various deposition and characterization techniques, such as atomic layer deposition, chemical vapour deposition, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The candidate will transform these materials into a flexible energy platform, consisting of a flexible battery and a flexible energy harvesting device such as, but not limited to, photovoltaics, using the sun’s energy, or thermoelectric generators, using waste body heat. Electrical characterizations will be utilized to identify highly efficient systems. Throughout the PhD, the candidate will have access to state-of-the-art cleanrooms, material characterization and electronic laboratories and will work alongside collaborators, academic and industrial, in order to explore how to upscale their energy platform using commercial flexible manufacturing systems known as roll-to-rol

The successful candidate will have scope to mould the PhD direction with guidance of an experienced supervisory team, and will gain a wide variety of technical and professional skills whilst having the opportunity to collaborate, travel to conferences and publish high impact work. 

This project will be supervised by a multi-disciplinary team, led by, Dr Katrina Morgan: https://www.orc.soton.ac.uk/people/kam2g11

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Katrina Morgan, Novel Glass and Fibre Research Group, Email: kam2g11@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2699.

Key facts

Entry requirements: first or upper second-class degree or equivalent

Closing date: applications should be received no later than 31 August 2018 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.

Duration: typically three years (full-time)

Funding: full tuition plus, for UK students, an enhanced stipend of £15,009 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years. www.orc.southampton.ac.uk/phd_funding.html 

Assessment: nine-and 18-month reports and viva voce determine progression to PhD; progression reports, viva voce and thesis examination

Start date: typically September

Applying: www.southampton.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgstudy/howdoiapplypg.html 

Closing Date: 31 Aug 2019
Post Type: PhD Studentship (Funded)