PhD Studentship: Development of Lossy Mode Resonance Optical Fibre Sensors for Energy Applications

Primary Supervisor - Dr Keith M. Alcock

Through your insights and innovation, you will help shape the future of optical sensing for energy applications. The race is on to develop sensors that enable smarter, safer, and efficient energy systems. One technology to achieve this is Lossy Mode Resonance (LMR), which occurs when light guided in an optical fibre couples to a lossy mode in a suitably engineered thin-film coating, generating a characteristic attenuation band in the transmission spectrum. Changes in the properties of the coating or its surrounding environment shift the resonance wavelength, enabling highly sensitive measurements. LMR sensors can therefore monitor temperature, chemical species, humidity, and other parameters relevant to energy technologies. Recent demonstrations include temperature monitoring in lithium-ion batteries, illustrating their potential for energy storage. 

The project will examine how changes in fibre geometry, thin-film composition, and fabrication technique influence LMR sensor performance in energy environments. It will also address the miniaturisation of established sensor designs, supporting integration into compact energy-monitoring systems. 

Your research will allow you to: 

•  Explore sensor geometries to understand their influence on sensitivity and robustness. 
  
  
•  Investigate thin-film materials, including metal oxides, conducting polymers, and hybrid coatings, for optical, chemical, and thermal stability in energy-system environments. 
  
  
•  Develop manufacturing methods, including spin and dip-assisted layer-by-layer coatings, for reproducible and scalable fabrication. 
  
  
•  Miniaturise current LMR sensor prototypes for integration into energy systems such as battery packs, and solar panels. 

You will join a growing international team at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB) in Spain, developing and applying LMR optical fibre sensors. You will have the opportunity to undertake a research stay at ICB, gaining hands-on experience with complementary expertise and facilities. Training in advanced analytical and experimental techniques at both institutions will support you in developing new approaches for optical fibre sensors for energy applications. 

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirement is 2:1 in Degrees in Material Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, Engineering, and other related disciplines will be considered.

Mode of study

Full-time

Start date

1 October 2027

Additional Funding Information

This PhD project is in a competition for a Faculty of Science funded studentship. Funding is available to UK applicants and comprises ‘home’ tuition fees and an annual stipend for 3 years. The current UEA / institutional PhD stipend rate is £21,805 and will be subject to any agreed inflationary uplift for 2027/28.