Supervisory Team: Ioannis Zeimpekis, Stephen Beeby, Katrina Morgan
Project description
Wearable thermoelectric generators using advanced materials
Wearable technologies are revolutionising our daily lives, integrating everyday objects into our clothes, accessories and even our bodies. But how can we power these without using rigid batteries that require overnight charging?
The answer is renewable energy sources such as ourselves. Using our body’s heat, thermoelectric generators can provide uninterrupted renewable energy for wearable devices.
In our highly multi-disciplinary team, the goal is to develop cutting-edge wearable systems, using thermoelectric generators to power wearable technology such as health monitors and fitness sensors.
Working in a cleanroom environment, new materials will be developed and optimised, using state-of-the-art fabrication and characterisation equipment, and turned into cutting-edge thermoelectric energy harvesters. Our goal is to implement these generators into commercially usable system that powers internet-of-thing devices, designed with the end-user in mind. This will be achieved through working closely with academic and industrial collaborators.
This PhD project direction is mouldable, guided by an experienced supervisory team, whilst offering a high level of technical and professional skill development. Chances to collaborate with companies and researchers are plenty, with many opportunities for international travel, attending conferences and publishing high impact work.
We are looking for a passionate candidate excited about the latest developments in technology. You will work in a multidisciplinary team under a motivating and supportive environment. You are expected to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in physics, chemistry, engineering, electronics or a related discipline. A basic level of understanding semiconductor physics and material science are essential, and we will support you to expand in all these subjects. Experience with experimental work in either electronics, physics, and computer modelling, programming languages are desirable, and you will have a chance to develop those further during the project.
The University of Southampton is committed into sustaining an inclusive environment for all students and staff. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award and work continuously to improve equality in the workplace and encourage a work-life balance. The Zepler Institute is exclusively a research School: as home to over 200 researchers working in all areas of photonics it offers a unique, interdisciplinary, friendly and supportive environment in which to pursue a PhD.
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Ioannis Zeimpekis, Email: [Email Address Removed], Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 3145.
Entry Requirements
A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).
Closing date: Applications are accepted throughout the year. Start date will typically be September/October 2023.
Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £20,000 tax-free p.a. for up to 3.5 years. Limited funding for international applicants may be available.
How To Apply
Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2023/24, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD ORC (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Ioannis Zeimpekis
Applications should include:
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts to date
For further information please contact: [Email Address Removed]
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