Self-Powered Piezoelectric Hydrogels for Immunomodulation and Chronic Wound Regeneration

About the Project

Chronic wounds, particularly diabetic foot ulcers, affect millions of patients worldwide and remain one of the most difficult clinical challenges in healthcare. Current wound dressings mainly protect the wound but do little to actively stimulate tissue repair.

This PhD project will develop next-generation smart hydrogels capable of generating therapeutic electrical signals from natural body movement. By integrating piezoelectric nanomaterials into soft hydrogel systems, the project aims to create self-powered wound dressings that convert mechanical energy (such as pressure or movement) into electrical cues that stimulate tissue regeneration.

These innovative biomaterials could help enhance cell migration, improve blood vessel formation, and accelerate healing in chronic wounds without requiring external power sources or devices.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of biomaterials science, nanotechnology, and regenerative medicine, gaining hands-on experience in hydrogel engineering, nanomaterial synthesis, materials characterisation, and cell biology.

This interdisciplinary project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of smart biomaterials that actively interact with the body to promote healing. The outcomes of this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for chronic wound care and other regenerative medicine applications.

The PhD student will join a collaborative research environment focused on advanced biomaterials and biomedical innovation, with opportunities to develop strong research skills and contribute to high-impact scientific publications.

How to apply

Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account, select 'Postgraduate Research' as the type of course and then use the keyword 'pharmacy'. Applicants should then specify the project title in the 'Research Proposal' section.

Funding Notes

This is a self-funded PhD project; applicants will be expected to pay their own fees or have a suitable source of third-party funding. A bench fee applies, in addition to tuition fees. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support.