Additive Manufacturing of Opto-Electronic Devices using Novel High Performing Polymer Inks - ENG 1332

Topic: The production of Novel Opto-Electronic devices by Additive Manufacturing based on the deposition of material containing low dimensional materials that exhibit differing and tuneable dielectric properties.

Project description: Applications are invited for a Postgraduate Studentship to work on the project to develop novel polymeric inks for Additive Manufacturing.

The project aims to develop a range of novel polymeric inks and utilise them to fabricate the next generation of opto-electronic devices, including broadband photodetectors, photovoltaic systems and optical sources. The new polymers will be synthesised to contain complex three dimensional molecular structures tailored to deliver the desired molecular properties and will be formulated into high performing “inks” for processing via additive manufacturing techniques. These materials will be used as functional layers in opto-electronic devices. The synthesis of targeted polymeric structures will be achieved using controlled polymerisation techniques and these processes will be scaled up >100 gram scale. To achieve multiple functionalities, these materials will be used in combination with nanoparticles, 2D materials (e.g. graphene), multi-material matrices, ionic liquid based additives, etc.

The person appointed will work as part of a dynamic interdisciplinary team focussed on developing cutting edge polymer technologies as part of the CfAM in close collaboration with the School of Physics The CfAM is a large interdisciplinary group active in the area of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing. Comprising of around 100 academics, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students, it is one of the largest research centres for additive manufacturing and 3D printing worldwide. The Centre engages with a broad range of academics from across the UK and a significant number of industrial partners to deliver on an industrially prioritised research agenda – this particular project is part of a large, collaborative EPSRC Programme Grant looking at Next Generation Additive Manufacturing (EP/P031684/1).