PhD Study : ​​Energy positive Multifunctional Building Facades Incorporating Energy Storage for nearly Zero Energy Building standards

Apply and key information  

Summary

​​Recent agreements between world nations on climate change mitigation will result in mandatory requirements to reduce energy use by buildings by defining and implementing nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) standards. Building facades act as a key modulator between the indoor and outdoor environments, therefore controlling the energy flows into or out of the building can potentially have a substantial influence on energy demand and building carbon emissions. In addition, they provide an opportunity for harnessing renewable energy to offset building energy use.

​Facade/ glazing systems will be needed to act as smart multifunction glazed components bringing together a range of properties such as excellent thermal insulation, energy harvesting and light transmission and energy storage. Traditional glazed facades have reached the limits achievable for thermal insulation performance, however further improvements have been shown to be achievable with the development of a Vacuum Insulated Glazing (VIG). An evacuated cavity provides several opportunities for additional functionality for electrical/ thermal energy harvesting and coupled with a suitable energy storage system, has the potential make a positive contribution to the building energy needs. For the successful development of these systems key issues include seal technologies for the vacuum cavity which could accommodate mechanisms for the transport of electrical/ thermal energy to a storage system.

​The devices used for solar energy harvesting require investigation together with how harvested energy is transported and used within the building or options for energy storage to be used during periods without generation. The additional functionality of the vacuum insulated glazing may be considered to include the use novel materials or coatings for light/energy control.

​The proposed facade systems would have applications for a range of climates and would ideally be applicable for both new buildings and retrofitting existing buildings including those with heritage value.

​​Applicants are expected to have:

  • An appropriate degree in engineering, physical or material sciences or cognate discipline
  • ​Strong practical experimental research or industrial experience relating to subject discipline.
  • Knowledge of relevant instrumentation eg for thermal/stress measurement and analysis, data acquisition systems.
  • Experience of heat transfer in building components, solar engineering and computer modelling/ software for the development and prediction of system performance and impact on building energy use.

    ​Collaborations exist through a network of national and international academic/research institutes and industrial partners across Europe, US, India and Australia.​

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • Masters at 65%
  • Publications - peer-reviewed

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Recommended reading

Ghoraishi, M., Hyde, T., Zacharopoulos, A., Mondol, J., Pugsley, A (2023) ‘Experimental Characterization of the Optical Performance of Concentrating Photovoltaic Glazing (CoPVG) Systems’ Energies, 16,6.

​Ghoraishi, M., Hyde, T., Zacharopoulos, A., Mondol, J., Pugsley, A (2023) Concentrating Photovoltaic/Thermal Evacuated Glazing (CoPVTEG); Introduction and computational analysis, Solar Energy 263

​F. Arya, R. Moss, T. Hyde, S. Shire, P. Henshall and P. Eames, “Vacuum enclosures for solar thermal panels Part 1: Fabrication and hot-box testing,” Solar Energy 174, pp. 1212-1223, 2018.

​H. ALi, N. Hayat, F. Farukh, S. Imran, M. S. Kamran and H. M. Ali, “Key design features of multi vacuum glazing for windows: A review.,” Thermal Science, 2016.

​A. Ghosh and B. Norton, “Advances in switchable and highly insulating autonomous (self-powered) glazing systems for adaptive low energy buildings.,” Renewable Energy 126, pp. 1003-1031, 2018.

​C. Qiu, H. Yang and H. Sun, “Investigation on the thermal performance of a novel vacuum PV glazing in different climates.,” Energy Procedia 158, pp. 706-711, 2019.

​R. Moss, S. Shire, P. Henshall, F. Arya, P. Eames and T. Hyde, “Performance of evacuated flat plate solar thermal collectors,” Thermal Science and Engineering Progress 8, pp. 296-306, 2018.

​A. Ghosh, S. Sundaram and T. K. Mallick, “Investigation of thermal and electrical performances of a combined semi-transparent PV-vacuum glazing.,” Applied Energy 228, pp. 1591-1600, 2018.

​CERN , “CERN’s Ultra High Vacuum Flat Plate Solar Collector (UHVFPC) (UHVFPC) Markets and Applications,” CERN, [Online]. Available: https://www.solarthermalworld.org/sites/default/files/CERN.pdf

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 26 February 2024
04:00PM

Interview Date
Mid March 2024

Preferred student start date
16 September 2024

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Trevor Hyde

Other supervisors