Multifunctional Soft Smart Materials for Adaptive Sensing, Actuation, and Energy Harvesting in Loaded Body Interfaces for People with Disabilities

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Dr Jinghua Tang

This PhD project develops multifunctional soft actuatable materials for integrated sensing, actuation, and energy harvesting in biomedical loaded-body interfaces. Using polypyrrole (via ion intercalation/electroosmotic swelling for bending) or IPMC (ionic migration causing asymmetric swelling), devices target plantar-shoe interfaces for people with foot dysfunctions, residual limb-socket for lower-limb amputees, and wheelchair seating to enhance comfort, pressure management, and mobility.

The research addresses poor pressure distribution, discomfort, and tissue damage at loaded-body interfaces in prosthetics and mobility aids. Current rigid sockets and cushions fail to adapt dynamically to movement, moisture, or volume changes, leading to ulcers, pain, and reduced quality of life for people with disabilities (PWDs), lower-limb amputees, and wheelchair users.

This project develops advanced soft smart materials combining sensing, actuation, and energy harvesting. Materials include polypyrrole (PPy)-based composites, where actuation occurs via electrochemical doping/undoping causing ion intercalation and electroosmotic swelling for large bending deformation, or ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC), relying on cation migration under low voltage inducing asymmetric hydration/swelling for bending. These enable self-sensing, active pressure re-distribution, and energy harvesting to power integrated sensors.

Intended outcomes include adaptive interfaces:

• plantar shoe inserts for people with foot dysfunctions that sense and adjust pressure in real-time
• residual limb-socket linings for amputees that conform to volume changes and mitigate shear
• wheelchair seating cushions that redistribute load and harvest energy from sitting motion

The work matters for improving comfort, preventing injury, and promoting independence in ageing populations and disabled communities.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.

Fees and funding

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.

Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• select Full time or Part time
• search for programme PhD Engineering & the Environment (7175)
• add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date
• English language qualification (if applicable)