Smart-Textile-Based Sensors for Epidermal Electronics

About the Project

Wearable electronic devices have sparked tremendous attention in recent years, owing to their wide range of possible applications, which include artificial organs, electronic skin, and healthcare monitoring, as well as soft robotics with arbitrary surface forms. Stretchability and multifunctional applications are critical for these devices.

Recently, biomedical engineering has placed greater importance on wearable and disposable healthcare monitoring devices. Various degradable biosensors have been developed to measure human parameters such as temperature, pH, pressure, strain, and ion concentration, utilising bodily fluids like sweat for analysis.

In this PhD programme, the student will explore the possibility of developing new textile-based electrochemical capacitive sensors for monitoring sodium and potassium loss using advanced functional materials coated on cellulose cloth.

The anticipated major activities:

• Formulate and synthesize nanocomposites for sensing electrodes.
• Characterize the structural and electrochemical properties of materials and devices.
• Fabricate and characterize the flexible and wearable device

Academic qualifications

First degree with at least a 2:1 classification in material science, physics, chemistry, electronic/electrical engineering, with a good knowledge of material preparation

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Experience of fundamental in materials preparation
• Competent in collaborative research work
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time-management

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (download)
• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about
1. Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
2. Research questions or objectives.
3. Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
4. List of references.

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

To be considered, the application must use

• the advertised title as project title

For informal enquiries about this PhD project, please contact L.Manjakkal@napier.ac.uk

Application link: https://evision.napier.ac.uk/si/sits.urd/run/siw_sso.go?ElOlarlItFiG37xnH5PRRBvv3d563wLdwX4JfhYskMa3bJWTuc

PhD Start Date: October 2026

Funding Notes

International applicants should note that visa application costs and the NHS health surcharge are additional costs to be taken into consideration, and successful applicants will need to cover these expenses themselves.