Key Information
Academic Supervisors: Primary: Professor Trystan Watson. Secondary: Dr Eifion Jewell
Industry Supervisor: Dr Su Varma
Expected Interview Date: May 2022
Background:
NSG is one of the largest glass manufacturers in the world. With a strong presence in Europe and manufacturing sites in the UK, NSG produces a wide range of glass products. NSG produces glass for markets such as automotive, display and optical products and in considerable volume for the built environment. NSG seeks to add value to their current building integrated glazing range by extending their current functionality from such things as low emissivity and self-cleaning, to that of energy generation. The opportunities in the field of energy are significant and include solution deposited transparent photovoltaics (OPV), opaque photovoltaic spandrel panels (Perovskite) and substrates for photocatalytic hydrogen and solar fuel generation.
Project Aims:
The glass substrate can play a range of roles in these technologies both by providing a rigid transparent support as well as through deposition of multi-layers within the product architecture. The task of this project is to understand the glass substrate and explore technology innovations that can be employed using the solution processing techniques available at the SPECIFIC innovation and knowledge centre, Swansea University.
This EngD represents an exciting opportunity to work within the scale-up group at SPECIFIC, led by Professor Trystan Watson collaborating with the NSG research team at Lathom, UK.
The SPECIFIC IKC sits beyond fundamental science to identify the technologies emerging from laboratories and assess their suitability to scale up in the area of building integrated functional coatings that generate, store or release energy. The scale-up group has responsibility for identifying new device architecture and chemistries that fit with the necessary criteria of large scale manufacture, which includes earth abundance, manufacturing feasibility and impact on the environment.
This project will be largely based at Swansea University, but there will be occasions where short periods of time will be spent at the sponsoring company.
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: NSG
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: