Self-Powered Flexible Photodetectors Enabled by Coupled Piezo-Pyro Effects

About the project

About the Project To cultivate research talents with global leadership, interdisciplinary innovation capabilities, and international research collaboration capabilities, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) fully leverages its characteristics of international education and builds upon the long established strategic cooperation among XJTLU, Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), and the University of Liverpool (UoL). This initiative integrates top-tier research resources to launch a Joint Doctoral Supervision Programme across the three institutions. This project aims to develop a novel self-powered flexible photodetector based on ZnO/perovskite/ZnO heterojunction bipolar phototransistors (HBPTs). By integrating piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects, the device can operate without an external power source, making it particularly suitable for wearable health monitoring, low-power IoT environmental sensing, and next-generation human-machine interactive interfaces. The research will focus on understanding the coupling mechanism between piezoelectric and pyroelectric polarization, optimizing interface and band structures, and demonstrating a flexible device with significantly improved responsivity and detectivity. This work seeks to provide an energy-efficient and adaptable sensing solution for daily-life applications, promoting the development of sustainable and user-friendly optoelectronic systems. Joint Supervisory Team: XJTLU supervisor: Professor/Dr… Wen Liu XJTU supervisor: Professor/Dr……Guohe Zhang UoL supervisor: Professor/Dr…Joseph Yan Requirements: A UK first-class or upper second-class honours Bachelor's degree and a UK Master's degree with Merit (or their equivalent) are required for PhD admissions. Exceptional candidates holding only a Bachelor's degree may be considered on an individual basis. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 or above, if the first language is not English. For more information about entry requirements and admission procedures of PhD programme at XJTLU, please visit: Entry Requirement - Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University How to Apply - Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Programme Structure and Fees: Doctoral students in the joint programme are registered with both XJTLU and the UoL. Upon successful completion of the programme, the students will be awarded a PhD degree from University of Liverpool. During their doctoral studies at XJTLU, students are expected to conduct research at XJTU as visiting students. Additionally, students have the opportunity to apply for a short-term research visit to the UoL if the project requires it. The joint doctoral programme is offered on a full-time basis, with a typical duration of three to four years. The tuition fee is RMB 99,000 per year. How to Apply: Interested applicants are advised to email zhangguohe@xjtu.edu.cn or wen.liu@xjtlu.edu.cn the following documents for initial review and assessment (Please include the project title in the subject line): CV Two formal reference letters Personal statement outlining your interest in the position Certificates of English language qualifications (IELTS or equivalent) Full academic transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required) Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required) PDF copy of Master Degree dissertation (or an equivalent writing sample) and examiners reports available

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