PhD - Optical and Laser Measurements for Combustion and Agricultural Emissions Measurement

Fully Funded for 4 years ([Email Address Removed]) - Laser-based absorption spectroscopy can be used in numerous industrial applications to measure species concentrations for process control, combustion diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and emissions measurement, and can be applied in various forms (wavelength modulation spectroscopy, cavity ringdown spectroscopy, photo-acoustic spectroscopy). 

The aim of this studentship is to investigate various optical sources, and novel optical sensing techniques, for the measurement of the target gaseous species (CH4, H2O and NH3). This will include the investigation of fast tuning rate quantum cascade lasers, scanned micro-electro-mechanical mirrors, and the development of full gas imaging systems.

You will be directly involved in an EPSRC Programme Grant that is a collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield, Southampton, and Loughborough, and led by the team at Strathclyde. You will be required to attend technical meetings, and the yearly round-up meeting with partner universities and companies. This will include being supported in presenting your research and encouraged to further engage with project partners. Finally, you will be given the opportunity to carry out measurements at the Universities of Sheffield and Loughborough in combustion diagnostics and the Scottish Rural College for agricultural emissions measurements.

The intention is to support the student to attend international conferences during their PhD, and to encourage participation in skills workshops within the Engineering Faculty and through the Researcher Development Programme. You will also be able to enhance your communication skills by presenting work at the Faculty and University Research days and be trained in writing and submitting the outcomes of their research to international peer-reviewed, high quality journals.