Antibacterial technologies in air transportation.

Information on this PhD research area can be found further down this page under the details about the Widening Participation Scholarship given immediately below.

Applications for this PhD research are welcomed from anyone worldwide but there is an opportunity for UK candidates (or eligible for UK fees) to apply for a widening participation scholarship.

Widening Participation Scholarship: Any UK candidates (or eligible for UK fees) is invited to apply. Our scholarships seek to increase participation from groups currently under-represented within research. A priority will be given to students that meet the widening participation criteria and to graduates of the University of Salford. For more information about widening participation, follow this link: https://www.salford.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/fees. [Scroll down the page until you reach the heading “PhD widening participation scholarships”.] Please note: we accept applications all year but the deadline for applying for the widening participation scholarships in 2024 is 28th March 2024. All candidates who wish to apply for the MPhil or PhD widening participation scholarship will first need to apply for and be accepted onto a research degree programme. As long as you have submitted your completed application for September/October 2024 intake by 28 February 2024 and you qualify for UK fees, you will be sent a very short scholarship application. This form must be returned by 28 March 2024. Applications received after this date must either wait until the next round or opt for the self-funded PhD route.

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Project description: The global air transportation market was valued at $125.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $334.5 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.80% from 2021 to 2028. The aviation industry supports around 4% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). At the same time the air transportation industry is under enormous pressure in terms of compliance with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. Fifteen out of seventeen UN SDGs have been adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and reflected in its vision for the development of the air transportation industry.

Both airports and airline need to be compliant with 2030 sustainability agenda, in particular with SDG 3 Good health and well-being and SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation. There are many great and innovative examples of antimicrobial technologies used by airports and airlines around the world, including Edinburgh Airport, Delta Air Lines, Hong Kong International Airport, Kansai Airports, Oslo Airport, United Airlines, Vancouver International Airport, etc.

Research may include but is not limited to the problems below:

-       Air transportation and spectrum of microbial threats air passengers are exposed to.

-       Air passenger journey and various contaminated surfaces interacted with.

-       Factors influencing bacterial risks of air travel (for example, geographical location of an airport, antibiotic resistance, airport type, etc.).

-       Existing and future antibacterial technologies have already been used / planned to be introduced in the nearest future by airports and airlines around the world, including antibacterial technologies for air filters, antibacterial materials, antibacterial coatings, antibacterial spraying systems, UV and non-UV technologies, etc., and their impacts on environment.

-       Air transport operational requirements and limitations to the use of antibacterial technologies.

-       Cost-benefit analysis of different antibacterial technologies in air transportation.