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Dr C H See, Dr M Dorris, Dr D Sun, Prof H Yu
No more applications being accepted
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
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
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 smart phones, tablets, implantable wireless
biomedical devices, radio frequency identification systems, radars, etc. Compact antennas rely 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, 0.3–3 GHz) with large wavelength, thus putting severe constraints
on implantable medical devices and Internet of things (IoT) transceivers.
Implantable medical devices are at the centre of much academic and technical research in
biomedical engineering, medicine and biology. Much of the work surrounding implantable
technology has been a global initiative. With the advancement of MEMS structures, numerous
devices are being designed and fabricated using silicon (Si) as the primary material. This is logical
since Si is a very well-known and reliable material, has excellent mechanical and electronic
properties, and has been used in many sensing applications. While Si will continue to be the
material of choice for short-term biomedical applications, considerable work is needed to select a
biocompatible device material suitable for long term implantation that is, at the same time, capable
of efficient sensing. The increased demand of biomedical devices to solve medical problems has
motivated the research in vivo antennas that would permit both interoperable communications
between sensors as well as data transfer into and out of the human body. As a result, a
biocompatible implantable antenna is a key component of an implantable device as many factors
such as antenna dimensions, operation bandwidth, radiation performance, and so on should be
considered within the overall framework of device requirements.
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 nanomaterial, 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 utilize new flexible, renewable, biodegradable 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 the 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. Material science and Electrical & Electronic Engineering within School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE). It is suitable for applicants with interests and good background in electromagnetics and materials science and particularly in antenna and antenna arrays, metamaterial. Academic qualifications A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a good fundamental knowledge of Electromagnetism, antenna, materials science and microwave theory. English language requirement IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online. Essential attributes: · Experience of fundamental antenna design and modelling · Competent in Electromagnetics Theory and Fields · Knowledge of material science, Microwave/millimetre wave transmission systems and devices, and wireless communication theory/principles · Good written and oral communication skills · Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project · Good time management Desirable attributes: This project is suitable for applicants with interests and good back ground in materials science, electromagnetic and electromagnetics design and particularly in electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna and antenna arrays for communications systems and energy harvesting systems.
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
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 smart phones, tablets, implantable wireless
biomedical devices, radio frequency identification systems, radars, etc. Compact antennas rely 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, 0.3–3 GHz) with large wavelength, thus putting severe constraints
on implantable medical devices and Internet of things (IoT) transceivers.
Implantable medical devices are at the centre of much academic and technical research in
biomedical engineering, medicine and biology. Much of the work surrounding implantable
technology has been a global initiative. With the advancement of MEMS structures, numerous
devices are being designed and fabricated using silicon (Si) as the primary material. This is logical
since Si is a very well-known and reliable material, has excellent mechanical and electronic
properties, and has been used in many sensing applications. While Si will continue to be the
material of choice for short-term biomedical applications, considerable work is needed to select a
biocompatible device material suitable for long term implantation that is, at the same time, capable
of efficient sensing. The increased demand of biomedical devices to solve medical problems has
motivated the research in vivo antennas that would permit both interoperable communications
between sensors as well as data transfer into and out of the human body. As a result, a
biocompatible implantable antenna is a key component of an implantable device as many factors
such as antenna dimensions, operation bandwidth, radiation performance, and so on should be
considered within the overall framework of device requirements.
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 nanomaterial, 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 utilize new flexible, renewable, biodegradable 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 the 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. Material science and Electrical & Electronic Engineering within School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE). It is suitable for applicants with interests and good background in electromagnetics and materials science and particularly in antenna and antenna arrays, metamaterial. Academic qualifications A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a good fundamental knowledge of Electromagnetism, antenna, materials science and microwave theory. English language requirement IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online. Essential attributes: · Experience of fundamental antenna design and modelling · Competent in Electromagnetics Theory and Fields · Knowledge of material science, Microwave/millimetre wave transmission systems and devices, and wireless communication theory/principles · Good written and oral communication skills · Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project · Good time management Desirable attributes: This project is suitable for applicants with interests and good back ground in materials science, electromagnetic and electromagnetics design and particularly in electromagnetic wave propagation, antenna and antenna arrays for communications systems and energy harvesting systems.
Funding Notes
This is an unfunded position
References
C. M. Boutry, C.M. et al., “Towards Biodegradable Wireless Implants,” Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A 370, pp.2418-2432, 2012 M. Irimia-Vladu, “ Green electronics: biodegrable and biocompatible materials and devices for sustainable future,” Chem. Soc. Rev., vol.43, pp.588-610, 2014