Programme across the three institutions.

Solar energy is crucial for achieving carbon goals, global green energy transition, and sustainable economic development. Flexible solar cells, with advantages like lightness and bendability, can be applied where rigid cells cannot. However, current conductive pastes for metallization electrodes for flexible solar cells face issues such as high cost, low conductivity and poor adhesion. Thus, developing novel conductive pastes with high mechanical and electrical properties is vital for their practical application. This study will involve: formulating highly stable copper-core-silver-shell nanoparticle/graphene composite pastes; studying microstructural evolution during low-temperature co-sintering; and methods to enhance bending fatigue resistance. The successful completion of the project will bring significant cost savings and performance enhancement (e.g. improving energy efficiency) in the conductive pastes and lead to the commercialization of flexible solar cell technology.

Joint Supervisory Team:

• XJTLU supervisor: Dr. Qifeng Lu
• XJTU supervisor: Prof. Liang Tian
• XJTLU co-supervisor: Dr. Yinchao Zhao
• UoL supervisor: Dr. Francesco Giorgi

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 Qifeng.Lu@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

Applications accepted all year round. Self-Funded PhD Students Only.

Where will I study?

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an international joint-venture university founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the UK, which captures the essence of both parent universities, offering students the opportunity to obtain globally recognised UK degree and a unique life experience within China.

Project supervisors

Dr. Qifeng Lu

Career overview: Qifeng Lu received a PhD degree in 2018 from the University of Liverpool. From 2017 to 2018, Qifeng had a one-year industrial research experience at Focus Lightings Tech Co., Ltd., where they worked in the R&D department, focusing on improving the luminous efficiency of LED chips. Following this, from 2018 to 2021, Qifeng was a postdoctoral fellow at the Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where they were a key team member in a research group recognised in the field of flexible electronics. Their research interests include neuromorphic devices and biosensors. Qifeng is currently an Associate Professor at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, having previously served as an Assistant Professor from September 2021 to December 2023.

Research interests: Qifeng Lu's research focuses on flexible and wearable biosensors and neuromorphic devices. They have a strong interest in the development of these technologies and their applications in various fields, particularly in sensory systems.

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