Key Information
Academic Supervisors: Primary: Professor Trystan Watson. Secondary: Dr Eifion Jewell
Industry Supervisor: TBD
Expected Interview Date: May 2022
Background:
Tata Steel would like to understand the potential of adding photoactive energy generation materials to a portfolio of steel products to achieve added value. This entails the sequential deposition of functional layers onto pre-existing architectural products culminating in a completed photovoltaic product appropriate for direct integration into the built environment.
The proposed technology of choice is that of the perovskite solar cell. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as solid state devices have demonstrated the highest efficiency of all printed solar cell technologies. The current record for a small area PSC now stands at 25 %. These small area devices are often processed with an evaporated gold or silver top electrode which can add significantly to the cost of the devices and render the device stack inappropriate for mounting onto an opaque substrate. This means that generally speaking most perovskite cell architectures are inappropriate for metal or steel based substrates. The world’s first perovskite solar cell made using a metal substrate was developed and published by Swansea University (see Troughton et al, Highly efficient, flexible, indium-free perovskite solar cells employing metallic substrates, J Mat Chem A 2015, 3, 9141). There are two possible approaches for deploying a PV product onto a steel substrate:
1. Direct application of layers sequentially onto the metal itself, whereby the metal substrate acts as an electrode in the device stack. This could be a metal foil material that is then subsequently laminated to a more appropriate architectural steel.
2. Application of an electrically insulating layer to an organically coated steel product that is then further functionalised with an electrically conducting layer and then sequentially applied photoactive materials. The device is then completed with a transparent conducting layer and barrier film.
The successful student will consider these approaches and work with the existing research team to develop a pathway to a printed solar cell demonstrator on steel substrates.
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COATED M2A recognises applicants have a variety of backgrounds with different educational and research experiences. We do not expect applicants to be proficient users of any techniques /equipment mentioned, at the time of application. Our focus is to upskill our participants and training will be provided.
COATED M2A in the Faculty of Science and Engineering is a Swansea University initiative which provides postgraduate research training in partnership with industry, providing access to world class laboratories and a wealth of academic and industry expertise. COATED M2A is committed to providing top quality research opportunities within an inclusive environment, funded by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Swansea University and Industry partners.
Interwoven through the research study are business, technical and entrepreneurial courses, designed to support and prepare participants for a senior role in industry or academia, on completion of their studies.
The Athena SWAN charter recognises work undertaken by institutions to advance gender equality. The College of Engineering is an Athena SWAN bronze award holder and is committed to addressing unequal gender representation. Applications from women and other under-represented groups are particularly welcomed. All applications will be anonymised prior to short listing.
Are you considering making an application and have questions you’d like answered? Come and have a 1-2-1 chat with us at our applicant surgeries (Link) . We encourage all applicants to review our hints and tips document found here.
Sponsoring Company: Tata Steel UK
Eligibility
Candidates must normally hold a minimum undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University), or a combination of degree and equivalent experience to the same level.
Normally, we would expect candidates to have met the University’s English Language requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5+ in each component) by point of application.
Full eligibility can be found at https://www.materials-academy.co.uk/eligibility
Funding
Fees at UK rate and Stipend £20,000.00, both for the period of four years.
For full details on funding eligibility, please refer to the Materials and Manufacturing Academy (M2A) Website. Student Eligibility | M2A (materials-academy.co.uk/eligibility).
Candidates must have the legal right to live/work in the UK at the start of their studies (student visas do not apply)
Closing Date: 3rd April 2022
Start Date: 1st October 2022
Applications and informal enquiries about this studentship should be directed by email to:
M2A@swansea.ac.uk