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Prof G McHale
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Optical devices can be created from glass or plastic or the interface between any two transparent materials which have different refractive indices. Usually the materials are solid, but this means the optical properties are set at the time of manufacture. In recent years it has been realized that two immiscible liquids can be used to create lenses and diffractive optical elements. These types of devices can also have the shape of the liquid-liquid interface controlled and modified by applying electric fields.
Previous research by the group has focused on developing non-uniform electric fields as a mechanism for shaping the surfaces of films and droplets of oils. This has led to voltage programmable phase gratings (Nature Photonics, 2007) and lens-type droplet control (Physical Review Letters, 2011). This project will start by extending these ideas to microfluidic systems and will involve design of substrate electrode configurations, measurement of liquid response to non-uniform electric fields and high speed video imaging.
The successful candidate will work with experts in solid-liquid interactions based within the Department of Physics & Electrical Engineering to study these new approaches to liquid-based optics. The research will complement work on superhydrophobic surfaces, electrowetting and dielectrowetting being funded by the UK Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and undertaken with colleagues at Nottingham Trent University.
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to Professor Glen McHale, [Email Address Removed]. Further information about the group’s research is available at www.naturesraincoats.com
Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a UK higher education institution, or equivalent. Students who are not UK/EU residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications, together with an IELTS score of at least 6.5
To apply, contact Karen Vacher to request the appropriate application form, quoting the advert reference above, via email to [Email Address Removed] or by using the application link on this page.
Previous research by the group has focused on developing non-uniform electric fields as a mechanism for shaping the surfaces of films and droplets of oils. This has led to voltage programmable phase gratings (Nature Photonics, 2007) and lens-type droplet control (Physical Review Letters, 2011). This project will start by extending these ideas to microfluidic systems and will involve design of substrate electrode configurations, measurement of liquid response to non-uniform electric fields and high speed video imaging.
The successful candidate will work with experts in solid-liquid interactions based within the Department of Physics & Electrical Engineering to study these new approaches to liquid-based optics. The research will complement work on superhydrophobic surfaces, electrowetting and dielectrowetting being funded by the UK Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and undertaken with colleagues at Nottingham Trent University.
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to Professor Glen McHale, [Email Address Removed]. Further information about the group’s research is available at www.naturesraincoats.com
Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a UK higher education institution, or equivalent. Students who are not UK/EU residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications, together with an IELTS score of at least 6.5
To apply, contact Karen Vacher to request the appropriate application form, quoting the advert reference above, via email to [Email Address Removed] or by using the application link on this page.
Funding Notes
Self-Funded PhD students only. If you have the correct qualifications and access to your own funding, either from your home country or your own finances, your application to work with this supervisor will be considered.
References
Berge, B. & Peseux, J. (2000). Variable focal lens controlled by an external voltage: An application of electrowetting. The European Physical Journal E. Vol. 3, 159–163.
Brown, C. V., Wells, G. G., Newton, M. I. & McHale, G. (2009). Voltage-programmable liquid optical interface. Nature Photonics. Vol. 3, 403–405.
Hayes, R. A. & Feenstra, B. J. (2003). Video-speed electronic paper based on electrowetting. Nature. Vol. 425, 383–385.
Kuiper, S. & Hendriks, B. H. W. (2004). Variable-focus liquid lens for miniature cameras. Applied Physics Letters. Vol. 85, art. 1128.
McHale, G., Brown, C., Newton, M., Wells, G. & Sampara, N. (2011). Dielectrowetting Driven Spreading of Droplets. Physical Review Letters. Vol. 107, art. 186101.
Mugele, F. & Baret, J.-C. (2005). Electrowetting: from basics to applications. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. Vol. 17, R705–R774.
Group research papers are available at http://www.naturesraincoats.com
Brown, C. V., Wells, G. G., Newton, M. I. & McHale, G. (2009). Voltage-programmable liquid optical interface. Nature Photonics. Vol. 3, 403–405.
Hayes, R. A. & Feenstra, B. J. (2003). Video-speed electronic paper based on electrowetting. Nature. Vol. 425, 383–385.
Kuiper, S. & Hendriks, B. H. W. (2004). Variable-focus liquid lens for miniature cameras. Applied Physics Letters. Vol. 85, art. 1128.
McHale, G., Brown, C., Newton, M., Wells, G. & Sampara, N. (2011). Dielectrowetting Driven Spreading of Droplets. Physical Review Letters. Vol. 107, art. 186101.
Mugele, F. & Baret, J.-C. (2005). Electrowetting: from basics to applications. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter. Vol. 17, R705–R774.
Group research papers are available at http://www.naturesraincoats.com
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