Wearable and Ultra-Lightweight OPV-Based Energy Generating Textiles

An opportunity to apply for a funded full-time PhD based at newly set up graphene lab at Centre for Print Research (CFPR) in the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education (ACE), UWE Bristol.

The studentship will be funded by UWE Bristol, and AUGTEX OÜ, Estonia: Ref 2022-APR-ACE01.

The expected start date of this studentship is 01/04/2022.

The closing date for applications is 03/12/2021.

The main aim of this PhD project is to develop a functional, scalable and cost-effective energy generating organic photovoltaics (OPV) textiles without changing the original properties (strength, hand feel, comfort and flexibility) of textiles. Such OPV textiles will be connected to energy storage textile (already under development). It is expected that a wearable garment prototype will be developed by the end of the project which will generate and store energy that can power the outfit itself, as well as any other devices wirelessly.

The key objectives of this PhD project are to optimise OPV formulations and their compatibility with textile substrates, layer by layer deposition of OPV materials onto textiles via a suitable fabrication technique such as inkjet printing and/or coating and evaluate the performance of produced OPV fabric.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email shaila.afroj@uwe.ac.uk

The studentship is available from 01/04/2022 for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £15,609 per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years (Home/EU rates only). Overseas applicants will be required to cover the difference between Home/EU and the overseas tuition fee rates in each year of study.

Applicants must have previous degree/s in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), material science, physics, chemistry (or relevant) and ideally will have previous experiences in energy generating textiles.

A recognised English language qualification is required.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2022-APR-ACE01.

Supporting documentation: you will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and your proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application so please have these available when you complete the application form.

References: you will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references within 14 days of your application being submitted. 

The closing date for applications is 03/12/2021.

Interviews will take place on 03/02/2022. If you have not heard from us by 09/02/2022, we thank you for your application but on this occasion, you have not been successful.