Flexible hybrid thermoelectric materials for wearable energy harvesting

About the project

The proposed project is aimed at developing a new generation of micro thermoelectric (TE) generators capable of being integrated into textiles for powering wearable electronic systems. Electronic textiles (e-textiles or smart fabrics) is an exciting new platform technology for wearables.

Despite the explosive growth of wearable technology, the majority of wearable and e-textile devices are still powered by rigid batteries that require frequent recharging and replacement. A possible solution for the realization of self-powered wearable devices is the generation of power from body heat using flexible, textile-based thermoelectric (TE) generators.

TE devices have the ability to convert heat directly into useful electricity based on the Seebeck effect. TE devices have many advantages such as solid-state operation with no moving parts, zero-emission, silent operation, vast scalability and high reliability with no maintenance and long operating lifetimes. Despite these merits there are a number of drawbacks of existing TE generators which include low efficiency, large size, brittleness and inflexibility as they are fabricated onto rigid substrates. Researchers have demonstrated harvesting sufficient energy from body heat to power a wireless ECG system using such modules but the lack of flexibility means it is not a practical solution.

To overcome these limitations, the aim of the current project is to produce a micro thermoelectric generator on textiles or other flexible substrates and employ low-cost, room temperature scalable electrodeposition approaches coupled with screen printing of thermoelectric inks. The flexible nature of these devices will enable a practical solution to the application in e-textiles and clothing for applications in defence, healthcare and sports.

You will be based in the School of Electronics and Computer Science which is ranked 1st in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Guardian University Guide 2022). You will work in the Chemistry Department to develop the electroplated nanowires which will be subsequently blended into a polymer composite for screen printing in the Printed Electronics and Materials Lab in ECS.

You will be supervised by world-leading researchers in their field and join an exceptional and vibrant team of postdoctoral researchers and other PhD students. We will also support the development of your future career and give you opportunities to expand your experience and knowledge beyond the topic of the PhD project.

Professor Iris Nandhakumar

• Scanning Probe Microscopy
• Carbon nanotubes
• Nanoscale materials

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

Successful candidates would have a strong background in electrochemistry and preference would be given to those with a good understanding of functional materials and polymer composites.

Fees and funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend of £16,062 tax-free each year for up to 3.5 years.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

Applications should include:

• choose programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering
• choose PhD Elect & Elect Eng (Full time)
• add name of the supervisor (Professor Steve Beeby) in section 2
• a research proposal
• your cv (resumé)
• 2 reference letters
• degree transcripts to date

Faculty of engineering and physical sciences

Email: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

Research areas