EPSRC funded PhD in Physics: Functional Materials - Cellulose Fibre-Based Biophotonics

Location: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, EX4 4QJ

Cellulose is the world’s most utilised material. It has traditionally been used to make commodity products like paper and clothing. However, recently it has become apparent that its properties can be exploited to make functional materials, including thin films that display interesting optical behaviour. It is also true that now, as a society, we need to become less dependent on oil-based materials, moving towards more sustainable materials such as cellulose. In the past few years plasmonics has matured as a research area, where the potential for optical resonators and photonic enhancement promises to make real improvements in technologies such as solar cells. This project will combine the physics, materials science, chemistry and engineering of cellulose with plasmonics. We will develop new 1D structures that will both help us understand how chiral molecules such as cellulose influence plasmonic response, and we will seek to develop new approaches for the production of plasmonic materials in a truly multidisciplinary way.

Contact for Informal enquiries: Professor Stephen Eichhorn (tel: 01392 725515)

Application criteria: Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in physical sciences (Physics, Chemistry) or Engineering (Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and/or Engineering).