The Responsive Ocular Prosthetic

This project has been selected for consideration for a fully-funded Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship at Nottingham Trent University. Fifteen PhD projects will be funded across the University through the Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship Scheme for entry in 2015/16.
Full details of the projects and the competition are available at

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/research/graduate_school/studentships/index.html

The proposed project will aim to research and produce an ocular prosthetic which provides a visual representation of a dilating and contracting artificial pupil.
Ocular prosthetics, or artificial eyes, are designed to aesthetically replace missing, damaged or underdeveloped eyes. Realism is a key consideration in the design of ocular prosthetics, as this benefits the confidence and comfort of the wearer.

Ocular prosthetics are generally handmade and bespoke, a necessity brought about by the variation in form as a result of the varying needs of the wearer. Ocular prosthetics can however range in style from standard manufactured pieces that may be ordered remotely to pieces designed and handmade over the course of a number of consultations between the maker and the wearer. The resulting prosthetic can be extremely realistic, but problems remain in relation to how the prosthetic is used in practice. One such problem is that the pupil is inevitably fixed both in position and appearance. In varying light conditions a real eye will vary by its pupil varying in size. This can result in a user’s real eye having a differently sized pupil to that of the prosthetic, which reduces the realism of the prosthesis.
It is envisaged the research project will investigate the appropriate technologies, materials, sensors and systems to design and produce a realistic full scale responsive ocular prostheic. This will be a joint project supported by Reflex Systems Ltd.

Entry requirements

In order to be eligible to apply, you must hold, or expect to obtain by 1st October 2015, a Master’s degree, or a 1stClass/2.1 Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (including, where appropriate, training in the relevant research methods and, where relevant, laboratory experience).

Applications can be accepted from UK/EU and International students, but a successful non-EU candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-EU and UK/EU fees. (Full-time Fees for 2014/15 are £12,000 for non-EU students and £3,996 for UK/EU students). The minimum English language proficiency requirement for candidates who have not undertaken a higher degree at a UK HE institution is IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in all skills)