PhD Study : Self-powered point of care diagnostics

Summary

“Healthy communities” have been highlighted as one of the four core themes in Ulster University’s strategic plan. In line with this, at the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio-Engineering Centre (NIBEC), our work is focused on the development of novel healthcare technologies and a particular aspect of this involves research in the next generation point-of-care diagnostic sensors, on which the proposed PhD is based. Accurate, rapid diagnosis is a critical component of healthcare which drives the treatment, prognosis and clinical outcome for patients. The current colormetric lateral-flow assay (LFA) point-of-care (POC) devices provide a pathway to overcome the high infrastructure, resource costs and time-constraints associated with laboratory-based blood culture tests.

The existing challenges for these LFA-POC devices are primarily around the user bias arising from the time-bound colorimetric response which in a busy and frequently resource-constrained clinical setting, hampers the accurate diagnosis. While the LFAs themselves are simple and inexpensive, where qualitative results can be obtained visually, there is a growing demand for quantification, sensitivity, traceability and connectivity in healthcare diagnostics. To achieve this and in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s ASSURED criteria(1), there is an urgent need for inexpensive platform POC reader technologies which are independent of: (i) time-bound colorimetric response and (ii) infrastructure/resource constraints i.e erratic power supply or battery challenges (replacement cost, shelf-life and recyclability).

This PhD program aims to overcome these challenges by facilitating the development a proof-of-principle quantitative POC reader. This will be achieved through research into triboelectric energy harvesting techniques(2-4) with integration of suitable low-cost optical sensing and readout platforms. The harvesting of ambient mechanical energy through triboelectric nanogenerators is expected to provide large power and energy densities and through development of power management circuits, high conversion, storage and delivery efficiencies. As part of this PhD, you will be exposed to a diverse range of experimental techniques in materials development for energy harvesters, lateral flow assays, rapid prototyping and low-power design technologies. As a test-case, the project will focus on C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-established key biomarker of infection, inflammation and sepsis. It is, however, anticipated that further development of multiplexing techniques for multi-analyte detection will be pursued to provide a rapid and accurate on-demand diagnosis of topical diseases, even in the remotest and resource-constrained communities.

1.“The potential of paper-based diagnostics to meet the ASSURED criteria”, S. Smith, J. G. Korvink, D. Mager et al., RSC Advances, 2018, 8(59), 34012-34034, DOI

2.“Expanding the portfolio of tribo-positive materials: aniline formaldehyde condensates for high charge density triboelectric nanogenerators”, P. Zhao, N. Soin*, A. Kumar, J. McLaughlin, J. Luo  et al.  Nano Energy, 2019, 104291, DOI

3.“Emulsion electrospinning of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanofibrous membranes for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators”, P Zhao, N Soin*, K Prashanthi, J. Luo et al. ACS Applied Materials & Interface, 2018, 106, 5880-5891, DOI

4.“Significant triboelectric enhancement using interfacial piezoelectric ZnO nanosheet layer”, A. A. Narasimulu, P. Zhao, N. Soin* J. Luo et al. Nano Energy, 2017, 40, 471-480, DOI

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed

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 £19,000 (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