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Funded PhD Project
Development of biophotovoltaic prototypes for architectural integration
Summary
A funded PhD studentship is available from January 2023 within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Newcastle to investigate the design of photosynthetic biofacades.
Newcastle University is ranked 1st in the UK and 18th globally in the QR World University Rankings for Sustainability and Social Impact (2022). Co-funded by the University’s NUAcT scheme and the Hub for Biotechnology in the Build Environment (HBBE), this is a unique opportunity to investigate the design, scalability, and life cycle of biofacade prototypes for clean energy generation.
Photosynthetic microorganisms (hereafter algae) have the potential to transform building facades into ecospheres where energy can be harvested and consumed in a closed loop. Photosynthesis harvests and utilises light energy to split water and fix C02 for autotrophic growth and in this process algal cells release some electrons extracellularly. Biophotovoltaics (BPVs) harness such electrogenesis of oxygenic photosynthesis to generate a small amount of electricity in the light as well as in the dark.
The research project will uniquely investigate the semi-living device design itself which has not been explicitly developed. Design-led scientific inquiry into early-stage use-inspired research such as this can lead to a quantum leap in technology readiness levels. This project responds to timely interest in biofacades from both architecture and algal biotechnology for a net-zero society.
Scalability bottlenecks need solutions particularly in response to the global challenge of electrical waste in tandem with carbon-neutral architectural visions. We aim to harness Nature’s 2.7-billion-year energy solution for both technology and culture.
The successful candidate will benefit from the supervisor’s earlier work ‘Solar Biobattery’, building upon existing collaborations (Sawa M, Fantuzzi A, Bombelli P, Howe CJ, Hellgardt K & Nixon PJ (2017) Electricity generation from digitally printed cyanobacteria. Nature Commun. 8, 1327).
Closing Date: 20 December 2022
Main supervisor: Dr Marin Sawa marin.sawa@ncl.ac.uk
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must have:
o An excellent master’s degree related to algal biotechnology
o Experiences of laboratory experiments o Demonstratable interest in the intersection of biology and design
o IELTS 6.5 overall (6.5 in writing and minimum 6.0 in all other sub-skills) if English is not your first language
The candidate will develop understanding and skillsets in interdisciplinary areas of investigation including the design and characterisation of photosynthetic bioelectrodes and biophotovoltaics. The research will involve algae/cyanobacteria cultivation, cell immobilisation, biofilm manipulation, prototype fabrication, electrochemical characterisation, bioimaging, and life cycle analysis and design. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
How to apply
1. Contact Dr. Marin Sawa for informal discussion
2. Submit the following to Marian Kyte marian.kyte@newcastle.ac.uk (CC Marin Sawa – marin.sawa@ncl.ac.uk) with the quote reference code APL030 in the email heading:
o CV
o Master’s thesis
o Degree transcripts and certificates and, if applicable, a copy of your English language qualifications
3. Complete the application via University’s online postgraduate application system. ‘Create a new account’:
o Insert the programme code 8160F in the programme of study section
o Select ‘PhD School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (full time) – Architecture’
o Insert the studentship code APL033 in the studentship/partnership reference field
Funding notes
NUAcT PhD Studentships cover home tuition fee rates and an annual stipend for three years. Experimental expenses will be supported. Other funding opportunities are also available.
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