Start Date: 1 October 2021
Supervisors: Dr Hamza Shakeel (EEECS), Dr Robert Pollard (M&P) Thales (UK) sponsored PhD project to design next generation devices
Our ability to fabricate complex 3D structures in high purity fused silica glass can revolutionize several emerging areas including augmented reality, biomedical devices, high precision inertial sensors (for navigation), optical elements (for laser scanning), photovoltaic, and quantum technologies. Although fused silica glass as a material has excellent long-term chemical, thermal and mechanical stability, it has traditionally been viewed as extremely difficult to shape since it normally requires high-temperature melting, casting and precision machining for macroscale objects or hazardous etching chemicals for microscale objects.
The proposed project will investigate approaches to scale up technology for use in a realistic industrial setting, with particular focus on cost effective wide-area fabrication strategies for 3D fabrication of fused silica structures. The main objective of this project will be to improve manufacturing throughput without sacrificing high structure homogeneity, geometrical flexibility and intricate critical feature resolution. This technique will be applied to fabricate 3D micro resonators for MEMS gyroscope sensors, optical elements with an integrated micro-fluidic cooling system, multi-stack micro-lens assemblies embedded on a laser diode facet or photodiode, miniaturised clear 3D light-pipes for laser rangefinders and radomes for small next generation high-velocity vehicles.
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OVERVIEW
The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEECS) aims to enhance the way we use technology in communication, data science, computing systems, cyber security, power electronics, intelligent control, and many related areas.
You’ll be part of a dynamic doctoral research environment and will study alongside students from
over 40 countries worldwide; we supervise students undertaking research in key areas of electronics and
electrical engineering, including: power electronics, robotics, wireless communications, cybersecurity and sensor-based systems. As part of a lively community of over 100 full-time and part-time research students you’ll have the opportunity to develop your research potential in a vibrant research community that prioritises the cross-fertilisation of ideas and innovation in the advancement of knowledge.
Within the School we have a number of specialist research centres including a Global Research Institute, the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) specialising in Cyber Security, Wireless Innovation and Data Science and scalable computing.
Many PhD studentships attract scholarships and top-up supplements. PhD programmes provide our students with the opportunity to acquire an extensive training in research techniques.
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Highlights
Professional Accreditations
- ECIT brings together, in one building, internationally recognised research groups specialising in key areas of advanced digital and communications technology.
Industry Links
- CSIT brings together research specialists in complementary fields such as data security, network security systems, wireless-enabled security systems, intelligent surveillance systems; and serves as the national point of reference for knowledge transfer in these areas.
- Electric Power and Energy Systems research is focused on problems related to distributed sources of energy and their integration into power networks. The cluster is a member of the IET Power Academy and is a major collaborator on all-island energy research.
- SoCaM is dedicated to the design of advanced, integrated, high-speed wireless and couples activities in High Frequency Electronics, System-on-Chip, Signals and Systems and Digital Signal Processing, and for Gigabit/sec wireless.
World Class Facilities
- The Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology, with state-of-the-art technology, offers a bespoke research environment.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- You will be working under the supervision of leading international academic experts.
Key Facts
Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and there are many resources available including:
- Access to the Queen's University Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme
- A wide range of personal development and specialist training courses offered through the Personal Development programme
- Office accommodation with access to computing facilities and support to attend conferences for full-time PhD students
COURSE CONTENT
Research Information
Associated Research
Research within the School is organised into research themes.
ECIT brings together, in one building, internationally recognised research groups specialising in key areas of advanced digital and communications technology.
Electric Power and Energy Systems research is focused on problems related to distributed sources of energy and their integration into power networks. The cluster is a member of the IET Power Academy and is a major collaborator on all-island energy research.
SoCaM is dedicated to the design of advanced, integrated, high-speed wireless and couples activities in High Frequency Electronics, System-on-Chip, Signals and Systems and Digital Signal Processing, and for Gigabit/sec wireless.
PhD Opportunities
PhD opportunities are available in a wide range of subjects in electronics and electrical engineering,
aligned to the specific expertise of our PhD supervisors.
Research Impact
Queen’s is a leader in commercial impact and one of the five highest performing universities in the UK
for intellectual property commercialisation. We have created over 80 spin-out companies. Three of these -
Kainos, Andor Technology and Fusion Antibodies - have been publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Research Projects
Queen’s has strong collaborative links with industry in Northern Ireland, and internationally. It has a
strong funding track record with EPSRC and the EC H2020 programme.
Career Prospects
Introduction
For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on [Email Address Removed]. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.
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