Use your skills to improve everyday human health.
We spend a large proportion of our time indoors – at work, at home and while travelling, yet pay little attention to the quality of the air we breathe. Gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can build up, potentially leading to health issues. However, cost-effective solutions for measuring VOCs are currently limited.
This PhD project aims to develop a new, low-cost sensor technology indoor air quality, based on optical absorption in the UV region of the spectrum. The solution draws on a range of disciplines to include advanced designs of optics, electronics, signal processing and measurement algorithms. The project is funded by the EPSRC with industrial sponsorship. We offer an enhanced stipend of £18,000 pa (tax free) and all fees are paid.
There has been considerable recent attention paid to the quality of the air we breathe in the outdoor environment, especially in urban spaces with high traffic densities. But with today’s demands for improved energy efficiency, indoor spaces have lower levels of ventilation and therefore gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can build up in the indoor environment, for example in housing and office spaces. Formaldehyde is often described as the most prevalent VOC in indoor environments and is carcinogenic. However, it is difficult to measure at parts per billion (ppb) concentrations and there is a need for a cost-effective sensor for formaldehyde to ensure air quality.
Previous work at the Centre for Engineering Photonics at Cranfield University, also in collaboration with Alphasense Ltd, has established a measurement strategy for formaldehyde based on its optical absorption in the ultra-violet region of the spectrum. Using UV LEDs as our light source, we plan to build on this work to develop an ultra-sensitive formaldehyde sensor.
This is an EPSRC/industrially sponsored position in the Centre for Engineering Photonics at Cranfield University. We work at the forefront of optical sensing and instrumentation research, with a broad portfolio and an emphasis on the development of instrumentation to tackle difficult measurement problems, while offering scope for more speculative, blue sky research. We are a wholly research-based centre, with modern well-equipped laboratories, and offer an inclusive supervision environment with the opportunity to be part of a larger research team.
Alphasense Ltd is a leading supplier of gas sensors in applications including air quality and industrial safety. They bring an industrial and manufacturing perspective to the project and have advanced sensor test facilities at their base in Essex, UK.
The project also includes collaboration with the Atmospheric Chemistry Group at the University of Leicester, who have advanced analytical facilities and expertise relating to high quality formaldehyde measurement.
If successful, this project could lead to the development and commercialisation of a useful sensor that, being cost-effective, would have a widespread positive impact on indoor air quality worldwide. There is potential for publishing a number of papers in high-quality academic journals.
This project combines high-quality research in optics and photonics, advanced analytical expertise and a strong industrial perspective. While highly applied, the project will be technically challenging and offers the chance to make a contribution at the forefront of optical gas detection. It will also develop communication skills and experience in multidisciplinary collaboration. Funding is available for the student to present their work at national and international conferences, as well as for travel to our collaborators. You will be based in a world-leading centre that has an active and supportive cohort of PhD students and a strong team culture across a variety of optical technologies, with a high level of cross-fertilisation of ideas.
All students in the Centre for Engineering Photonics receive advanced training and coaching in the science of optical measurement, starting with our Introduction to Photonics experimental programme. Additional skills in LabVIEW, Python, Zemax optical design software and measurement science are developed during the project. We find the technical, project management and communication skills developed for a PhD are both transformative and highly sought after, with many ex-students embarking on successful careers in either academia or industry.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a background in the physical sciences / engineering with a good UK honours degree (1st or 2.1), or equivalent and / or an MSc, in a relevant subject. This project will appeal to candidates who wish to apply their technical skills in real-world applications.
Applicants are welcome from a wide range of backgrounds and many of our students complete a PhD following a period (or even a career) in industry. We can offer flexible start dates throughout the year.
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