PhD Studentship: Development of Semitransparent AgroPhotovoltaic Integrated Hydrogen system

Challenge Title:

Growth of Semitransparent AgroPhotovoltaic Built-in Hydrogen system

Location

Renewable Vitality, Division of Engineering, Penryn Campus, Cornwall

The College of Exeter’s Division of Engineering is inviting functions for a PhD studentship fully-funded by the College of Setting, Science and Economic system to begin on 8 January 2024 or as quickly as doable thereafter. For eligible college students the studentship will cowl Residence or Worldwide tuition charges plus an annual tax-free stipend of at the least £18,622 for 3.5 years full-time, or professional rata for part-time research.

Challenge Description

The challenge is a part of a lately funded EPSRC challenge within the space of hydrogen integration into photo voltaic vitality programs. With the invention of Perovskite photo voltaic cells, the very best effectivity of a photo voltaic panel achieved is over 30%, nevertheless, such know-how suffers from long-term stability. As compared, silicon and different skinny film-based photo voltaic know-how present larger stability. The effectivity of Si-based photo voltaic panels is achieved above 25%. Due to this fact, a big a part of the photo voltaic spectrum is misplaced in varied different varieties. As well as, photo voltaic panels require a considerable amount of space, offering challenges with restricted house. Due to this fact, manipulating the photo voltaic spectrum in such a method that such a system can be utilized for different functions whereas producing electrical energy is useful. In latest occasions, photovoltaics within the agriculture discipline have grow to be engaging options for producing electrical energy whereas sustaining agricultural development.

This challenge will intention to design and develop a semi-transparent photo voltaic panel greenhouse for hydrogen era. Whereas semi-transparent photo voltaic panel affords lesser electrical effectivity, it gives sufficient gentle administration for agricultural use. The challenge will establish a spread of semi-transparent photo voltaic photovoltaic modules which might transmit a part of the seen wavelength for plant growths whereas sustaining inside temperatures for hotter environments. Manipulation of morphological construction and its impact on the general effectivity of the small-scale photo voltaic units will probably be characterised by means of A+A+A+ photo voltaic simulators within the College. As well as, the supplies will probably be characterised by means of SEM, TEM, XRD for optimising their properties. The general system will even be built-in into an appropriate hydrogen generator for the usage of heavy automobiles within the agricultural industries. Funding is primarily for UK nationals. Worldwide candidates must be conscious that you’ll have to cowl the charges distinction, your pupil visa, healthcare surcharge and different prices of transferring to the UK to do a PhD.

Entry necessities

Candidates for this studentship should have obtained, or be about to acquire, Higher second class (or decrease second Class with Industrial Expertise) or larger UK Honours diploma, in Materials/Environmental Science, or the equal {qualifications} gained exterior the UK, in an acceptable space of science or know-how.

If English will not be your first language you have to to fulfill the required degree as per our steering at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

The cut-off date for functions is midnight on Thursday thirtieth November 2023.

Interviews will probably be held on the College of Exeter Penryn Campus (or nearly) within the week commencing tenth December 2023.