Dr P Scully
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
This PhD project is a collaboration between the University of Manchester Photon Science Institute (PSI) and the Process Technology Team at the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology. It will explore photonic sintering based on ultrafast laser inscription techniques to create conducting structures in novel optical materials using silver and copper nanoparticles and Graphene:
1.Within non-standard optical substrates such as polymers and composites
2.As a one-step “green” and chemical-free ambient photonic process, replacing high temperature annealing, clean room or gas controlled atmospheres, lithography or post processing to remove metal substrates.
3.In 3D to create sub-surface structures.
The PhD project will explore new materials and inscription of conducting structures using lasers, and explore their scale-up into manufacturing processes. Current processes for printing electronic circuits requires multiple process steps, that are unable to be adapted for reel-to reel systems, and the new materials now required such as flexible substrates, and low temperature substrates such as polymers. Current production techniques are not “Green” and require complex etching and chemical steps.
This project will explore photonic sintering, using energy delivered by light sources such as lasers into materials doped with nano-particles, to bonding of nanoparticles together to form bulk metal conducting structures. Sintering enables the material to coalesce and behave like bulk material, losing its nanoparticle characteristics. Understanding of the optical and thermal processes is necessary since, if the photonic energy is too high then the metal can evaporate, which is undesirable.
The project will take place in two centres:
At the University of Manchester, in Year 1, the student will explore fundamental laser-material interactions using femtosecond laser suites available at the Photon Science Institute, and create novel materials based on Graphene and metal nano-particle composites. This will include laser inscription of 2 and 3D conducting structures in new materials such as nano-particle metal-insulator composites and graphene, new materials in which the University of Manchester has a track record.
At the A*STAR Research Institute: (years 2 and 3), the student will be based in theSingapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology and will define the process flow for integration into manufacturing process. They will build a laser-set-up based on criteria defined at Manchester and optimise the processes. The laser techniques will be adapted to the challenges of large scale manufacturing processes; for example, large area roll-to-roll printing and coating. Scale up of photonic sintering of conducting patterns in nano-particle metal-insulator composites containing Ag and Copper particles, and Graphene composites.
The student will return to Manchester for final experiments, to explore technology transfer between the two centres in the fourth year and writing up their PhD thesis.
Funding Notes
Applicants should be from the UK/EU and have obtained (or be about to obtain) at least an upper second class Honours degree in Physics, Materials Science, or Engineering. Due to strict entry requirements set by the A*STAR Graduate Academy as part of the approvals process, we require that applicants have obtained consistent marks throughout their undergraduate degree units, equivalent to a UK 2:1 or higher (at least 60% or higher). Any significantly lower results for individual units at any stage in your education (without special circumstances) may mean your application is not considered competitive for the Programme.
References
You should be a UK or EU national and demonstrate academic excellence with a first class undergraduate degree and high motivation for research, with the willingness to spend a substantial period (2 years) at a leading research institute in Singapore. Studentships will include:
•University fees
•Monthly stipend
•Airfare grants
•Settling-in allowance (Singapore)
•Medical insurance (Singapore)
Your application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents. These are:
•A supporting statement. This should be a maximum of 1000 words summarising your motivation for PhD study, outlining any research experience and why you want to do a postgraduate research degree in Manchester, and in particular note why the Programme appeals to you (for example have you studied abroad before)
•Two references from people who have knowledge of your academic ability. References must be signed, dated and on headed paper. References should be accompanied by a Referee Report Form. Please ensure that your referees complete this form electronically and submit this with your application, or email it to pgresearch.lifesciences@manchester.ac.uk
•Certificates and transcripts from all your current/previous degrees.
•Official English Language transcript (IELTS or TOEFL), if applicable.
•Current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
•A current photograph of yourself.
All supporting documents can be uploaded and submitted with the online application form or, alternatively, can be sent directly to Dr Patricia Scully patricia.scully@manchester.ac.uk. Your application cannot be considered until all of your supporting documents are supplied.
For applicants whose first language is not English you must supply an official IELTS or TOEFL transcript to support your application, or provide a date on which you will be taking a test. For PhD applicants we require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall [or TOEFL (paper) 577, TOEFL (internet) 90]. The University of Manchester's TOEFL code is 0757.
See link below for further details.
http://www.singaporeastar.ls.manchester.ac.uk/
See http://www.ceas.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/howtoapply/
for on-line application form
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