The Multicorder: CMOS sensor technology for chemical synthesis
University of Glasgow, supervisors: Professor David Cumming and Professor Lee Cronin.
Funding status: Fully funded for 3.5 years for UK and EU students. The studentship is offered as a consequence of a £3.4M EPSRC grant.
Project description
Microelectronics technology has led to a revolution in computer and communication technology that began almost immediately after the transistor was invented. The exponential rate of technological advancement that is described in Moore’s Law has been propelled by $1Tr of investment over 50 years. However CMOS technology, which now dominates the microelectronics industry, has proven itself to be immensely versatile. For example, the digital camera chip that uses silicon photodiodes (PD) is now ubiquitous. More recently CMOS has been exploited to make the large arrays of ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFET) used in the Ion Torrent and Ion Proton Next Generation sequencing systems. Exciting new opportunities now lie in pursuing non-roadmap “More than Moore” technology to discover and exploit the as yet unfulfilled potential of CMOS in markets and applications that have historically lain outside the realm of microelectronics.
We will explore our capability in the use of CMOS integrated sensor arrays, such as the “proton camera” with the objective of real-time, direct observation of ionic behaviour in chemical reaction dynamics. This work will entail improvement to existing systems as well as preparation and demonstration of the proposed optically based sensor arrays in this application.
The Cronin group has pioneered novel synthesis techniques that include 3D printing, multichannel flow and microfluidic reactors for the investigation of complex chemical systems and rapid synthesis of complex molecular products. A speculative objective of the programme will be the possibility of measuring and then producing target therapeutic chemistries in response to measurement and analysis of patient samples.
Funding notes and eligibility requirements
The PhD scholarship will cover tuition fees and an annual stipend of £13,726 over 3.5 years. This PhD project is only funded for Home UK or EU students.
To undertake this research, we are seeking a motivated candidate with a first class degree in Chemistry, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, or a cognate discipline.
Some knowledge and experience of sensors, experimental work in a chemical context and instrumentation/data acquisition would be an advantage.
Application Enquiries
Initial informal enquiry about this studentship can be made to Prof. David Cumming (david.cumming.2@glasgow.ac.uk) by sending a detailed CV with examination grades to date. Please include the above project title in the email subject.
To gain admission to our postgraduate programme an application for admission as a postgraduate research student must be made to the Graduate School of the College of Science and Engineering:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/applyonline/
It should be noted that this application is to gain admission to our PGR programme with the decision on this being based on your academic achievements, and an offer of admission may be sent out before a decision on this Scholarship is made. Candidates applying for this Scholarship will have their applications further vetted as to acceptability to this Scholarship and will most likely have an interview/discussion with the supervisor before any decision is made.