PhD Research Studentships

Soft touch electroactive elastomeric sensors and actuator devices.

Supervisor: James BUSFIELD
Apply by:28 January 2026
Start in:September (Semester 1)

Description

This project will be based in Prof James Busfield’s Soft Matter Group. The project will develop novel devices that couple either mechanochromic or piezoresistive behaviour to measure strains or pressures in soft smart elastomer materials as well as dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) technology to create devices that can actuate. Piezoresistive materials exploit the change in resistivity to measure the deformation of a soft or compliant sensor. Whereas mechanochromic devices can track strain through changes in colour. DEA technology allows a soft membrane to deform when an electric field is applied across a thin rubber membrane to create a reduction in the thickness of the membrane which produces an area expansion.

Each of these types of sensor and actuated elastomer materials have been developed recently at QMUL to make many different deformable devices including for optical applications: soft lenses and smart windows with variable transmission. We have also developed refreshable Brail readers and haptic displays as well as a wide range of tactile and pressure sensors. It is now our intention to create smart soft robotic systems that can not only actuate as say a soft gripper, but which also have soft tactile touch, where the interaction with external objects can be accurately determined from measurements on the deforming surface. With appropriate control these systems can be used to feel around a structure and then to manipulate or reposition it.

Funding

Funded by: China Scholarship Council
Candidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Please ensure your application is submitted by 4pm UK time

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 minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact James BUSFIELD.

Apply

Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD FT Materials Science full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):

Apply Now »

Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-692" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Related website:https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/j.busfield/research
Keywords:Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science - Other