PhD Research Studentships

Wearable technology for the next generation of sports performance and health monitoring

Supervisor: Tina CHOWDHURY
Apply by:29 February 2016

Description

There are currently no real-time, non-invasive devices to monitor hydration levels for sports and healthcare applications. NPL and QMUL have been exploring technology for a microwave hydration monitor and the PhD student will develop a SMART device that has the potential to monitor real-time hydration changes in the sports arena.  The scientific benefits will be a device which can actively monitor a person’s hydration in a localised region of the body, and how body perfusion interacts. The technology will lead to a better understanding of a person’s health but also how the body operates in hyper to dehydration scenarios, both of which have significant detrimental effects on the person’s health and well-being. In the sporting community, performance benefits of a hydration monitor will be explored with existing collaborations at St Mary’s University. The student will develop the next generation of prototype devices using electronics, design and microwave propagation skills. The current prototype utilises an ear lobe attachment which needs to accommodate a microwave antenna and wireless circuitry while remaining in stable contact during low intensity and moderate exercise. Existing and developed prototypes will be evaluated using biomaterials for frequency-dependent microwave absorption measurements and ethically approved measurements in sports people. The resulting prototype will benefit the sports and healthcare industries enormously through development of IP and patents. Indeed, the SMART wearable technology has the potential to attract further financial investment with an estimated £32 million modestly predicted potential sales market.

Research Group: Biomedical Engineering and Materials

EPSRC Research Studentship Details

To be eligible for a full award (stipend and fees) applicants must have: 

  • settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long they can stay and
  • been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to Sept 2016. This means they must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences) and
  • Not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education (This does not apply to UK nationals).

(See: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/Pages/eligibility.aspx for more details)

  • Full Time programme only
  • Applicant required to start in Sept/Oct 2016.
  • The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend (£16,057 in 2015/16) for up to three years.
  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Tina Chowdhury

Tel: 020 7882 7560

E-mail: t.t.chowdhury@qmul.ac.uk

Dr Richard Dudley, NPL. 

E-mail: richard.dudley@npl.ac.uk

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Medical Engineering programme (Full Time, Semester 1 start) please follow the apply online link at:

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/engineering/index.html

Further Guidance available via: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/applyresearchdegrees/index.html

Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2016 SEMS DTPC TTC’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Deadline for applications: 29/02/2016

Eligibility

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start in (Semester ).
  • SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
  • Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
  • Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Tina CHOWDHURY.