Graphene NOWNANO CDT

PhD in Nanoscience. Our aim is to train the next generation of scientists who will be able to realise the huge potential of graphene and related 2D materials and drive innovation in the UK, Europe and beyond. Graphene has been dubbed a miracle material due to the unique combination of superior electronic, mechanical, optical, chemical and biocompatible properties suitable for a large number of applications. The potential of other 2D materials (e.g. boron nitride, transition metal and gallium dichalcogenides) has become clear more recently and is now leading to the development of the so-called `materials on demand¿, i.e. materials with desired properties, not readily available in nature.

There has been an explosion of research and development activity in these two areas all over the world which has led to companies such as inov-8 successfully incorporating graphene into an award winning commercially available product.

The University of Manchester is the birthplace of graphene research and has continued to lead the field in a huge research expansion from the fundamental physics of graphene and related 2D materials to chemistry, engineering, characterisation and bioapplications. Lancaster University is an important partner, providing complementary expertise in theoretical modelling and niche experimental techniques.

The Graphene NOWNANO CDT provides a wide-ranging interdisciplinary PhD programme that develops postgraduate researchers into thinking and working collaboratively across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Programme Structure:

Year 1 - September to March

Taught component of the programme. Students complete four lecture courses that have been custom developed to cover different aspects of the science and technology of nanomaterials and their applications. Two enquiry-based learning (EBL) projects are completed and two extended lab projects. EBL and lab projects are done in small groups comprising students with different undergraduate backgrounds, which facilitates peer-to-peer learning and provides experience of working as part of a research team.

During this time students will decide upon a project which they will undertake for the rest of the programme. (Link to research projects).

Year 1 April - end of Year 4

Students work on their research projects with their supervisors whilst partaking in CDT events and further skills training.