The University of Nottingham will provide research training in synthetic or theoretical skills leading to a core PhD in chemistry but will also afford opportunities to work across disciplinary boundaries with physics and engineering co-investigators to optimise, characterise and exploit these materials’ thermoelectric performance as part of a multidisciplinary team. These posts would ideally suit those with a strong interest in sustainability and in the search for scientific and technical solutions to global energy issues.
Examples of potential projects in the HeatToPower theme include:
- Synthesis of charge transfer based organic conductors (e.g. acene-derived small molecules) and their use
- Synthesis of polymeric conductors, especially sustainable routes to EDOT/PEDOT and their analogues
- Development and synthesis of new, sustainable n-type conductors
- Synthesis and structural optimisation of hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposites, e.g. colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots
The first year of this PhD opportunity involves a student-focused and individually tailored programme of technical and laboratory training courses and workshops, designed to provide the students with the skills and confidence required for a successful PhD project. With the support of their academic mentors, the students are also provided with a unique opportunity to design and develop their research projects.