PhD project in Advanced Additive Manufacturing For Radiofrequency System Design

This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The PhD is based within the Wireless Communications Research (WiCR) Group at Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University.

This is a 3-year fully funded studentship and is only open to UK home students. The successful applicant will receive a generous tax-free annual stipend of £25,000 per annum, plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees. Additionally, £2,000 per annum is provided for consumables, travel, etc. Due to funding restrictions this PhD position is only available to UK nationals, as this position is sponsored by the MTC, any successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors own security checks prior to the commencement of the PhD.

Motivation 
Continuing improvements in small-scale embedded computing power mean that it is now challenging to keep improving the RF system performance by only changing the 2D shape. The next generation of RF technology will exploit degrees of freedom obtainable from novel materials, and via emerging 2D and 3D manufacturing processes. Integration of the RF systems into products is also a key challenge.

Vision
This project will focus on investigating and developing novel antenna systems to address future industrial challenges, particularly in the defence and space industries. Together, we will make technological advances in fabricating antennas and RF systems using low loss dielectrics combined with high conductivity metals; enabling 3D geometries; and improving resolutions. There is also scope to investigate laser cutting for optically transparent materials.

This exciting project will develop the successful candidate into an expert in both electromagnetic (EM) antennas and metamaterials design and measurement, and also additive manufacturing (AM). The project may evolve to be 50:50, 20:80, or 80:20 in terms of the EM-AM split

Who we are and our facilities
This project will be based at Loughborough University, but we expect the applicant to spend significant time at the MTC to gain expertise using their extensive fabrication facilities.

The WiCR Group has a wide research portfolio, conducts cutting edge research into the development of future antennas, metamaterials, and radiofrequency (RF) materials. The facilities at Loughborough include EM software, vector network analysers, an anechoic chamber, conductivity and dielectric measurement capability, and scanning electron microscopes. Loughborough University has an applied research culture. In REF 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We are proud of our mutual support and collaborative inclusive environment for research, with a thriving doctoral community. Doctoral Researchers can receive generous additional funds to support individual development, including opportunity to attend conferences, and training programs.

The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers.

Facilities at the MTC include an extensive range of equipment for additive manufacturing (AM), inkjet printing, laser surface texturing and cutting, and electrical inspection and analysis. Working within the MTC will give you real-world experience of working within in an industrial company, as well as experiencing the workplace and culture within it. For more information, please visit the MTC website. For specific enquiries about the project, please email: Professor William Whittow or Dr. Caitlin McCall.