Modelling inert gas bubble formation in thin film solar cells

Application details:
Reference number: MA/RS/2017
Start date of studentship: 1st October 2017
Closing date for applications: 24th March 2017

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Roger Smith (Maths Sciences)
Secondary supervisors: Pooja Panchamtia (Chemistry), Mike Walls (CREST)

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Project Detail:
Thin film Cadmium Telluride solar modules are important as they are the lowest cost technology for the production of solar energy. The thickness of the light absorber is less than 1% of the thickness of a conventional silicon solar cell.

In CREST such films are produced by a new technique called pulsed DC magnetron sputtering but in certain circumstances, inert gas bubbles can form in the films, which reduces the cell’s performance. The aim of the PhD project is to model the bubble formation process so that cell production can be optimised and the bubble growth reduced.

The project would suit a student with a background in physical sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics or computing) whose has strong computational and theoretical skills. The project is purely theoretical but an ability to work and communicate with experimentalists is also important.

Find out more:
General information about the Mathematical Sciences Department can be found at: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/maths/
Please contact Prof Roger Smith [Email Address Removed] for further information about the project.

Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in physics, mathematics, computing or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Materials modelling, use of high performance computing, mathematics, physics, computing or chemistry.

The 3-year studentship provides a tax free stipend of £14,553 per annum (in line with the standard research council rates) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. International (non-EU) students may apply however the total value of the studentship will be used towards the cost of the International tuition fee in the first instance.

Contact details:
Name: Prof Roger Smith
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 223192

Name: Dr Pooja Panchmatia
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 222548

Name: Prof Mike Walls
Email address: [Email Address Removed]

How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select ‘Mathematics’.

Please quote reference number: MA/RS/2017