The advances in wireless networks and electronics have led to the emergence of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), which are considered to be one of the most important technologies that can revolutionize healthcare systems. This technology has impacted the medical devices field, replacing thousands of wires connected to traditional sensors as found in hospitals and providing enhanced mobility. However, miniaturization is one of the key requirements for both wearable and and implantable devices. Antenna is the key element in the wireless communication devices to transmit and receive radio signals. It acts as an omnipresent critical component in any wireless devices, i.e. smart phones, tablets, implantable wireless biomedical devices, radio frequency identification systems, radars, etc. Compact antenna reply on an EM wave resonance, and therefore typically have a size of more than one-tenth of the EM wavelength. The limitation on antenna size miniaturization has made it very challenging to achieve compact antennas and antenna arrays, particularly at very-high frequency (VHF, 30-300 MHz) and ultra-high frequency (UHF, 0.3- 3GHz) with large wavelength, thus putting several constraints on implantable medical devices and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) transceivers.
The aim of the proposed PhD research is to develop miniaturised antennas by using optimized structures/material combinations for biomedical wireless sensing and communication applications. By incorporating metamaterial structures, cellulose nanomaterials, conductive polymer and carbon nanotubes, the electromagnetic constitutive parameters of the host substrate can be enhanced and thus the size of the antenna reduced and the performances improved, i.e. impedance bandwidth, radiation characteristics, etc. The work proposed herein is novel and can be distinguished by its innovation to ultilize new flexible, renewable, biodegradable, recyclable materials as the device materials, with these, well-tailored magnetic and electric properties offer great potential in realizing compact antennas with adequate bandwidth and efficiency. The outcomes of this research will provide necessary leap within biomedical and wireless communication research to satisfy the ever-growing demands for miniaturised and “green” transceivers.
This project is a collaboration between two engineering subject areas, i.e. Advanced Materials and Microwave Engineering within School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (SCEBE). It is suitable for applicants with interests and good background in applied electromagnetics, materials science, and particularly in antenna/antenna arrays, metamaterial and nanocellulose.
Academic qualifications
A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, or Mobile Communication Engineering.
English language requirement
If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.
Application process
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr. Chan Hwang See (C.See@napier.ac.uk) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application.
The application must include:
Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about
- Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
- Research questions or
- Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
- List of references
The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.
- Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
- Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
- Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
- Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.
Applications can be submitted here.
Download a copy of the project details here.
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