DIT Postdoc Project
Supervisor name & contact details:
Name
Email
Izabela Naydenova
izabela.naydenova@dit.ie
Supervisors Profile:
Web-link
http://www.dit.ie/ieo/contacts/drizabelanayde
nova/
Research Centre (if applicable):
Centre for Industrial and Engineering Optics
Research Centre website (if applicable):
http://www.dit.ie/ieo/
Fellowship Details
Tax-free bursary of between €21,000 €35,000 per annum
Subject Area
Optical sensors for environmental sensing
New Materials and Devices (DIT)
Title of the Project
Nanozeolite-based photonic structures for
application in environmental sensing
Project Summary:
The aim of this project is to design, fabricate and study experimentally nanozeolite-based
photonic devices created by two different approaches, direct printing and holographic
patterning, with a view to their application in environmental sensing. Zeolite nanoparticles are
characterised by well defined pore sizes and chemical affinity and there are pairs of nanoparticles
and environmental stressors that can be used to create nanozeolite-based photonic structures
that will change their optical properties in the presence of the analyte. The holographic
structures will be recorded in photopolymerisable nanocomposites containing zeolite
nanoparticles. The printed devices will be created by ink-jet printing of the nanoparticles on solid
films of different materials. During this project the focus will be on the development of sensors
for air and water pollutants. Zeolites are particularly efficient in adsorbing heavy metals,
hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxide and ammonia. In the longer term this research will
lead to the development of low cost disposable sensors for environmental monitoring.
Please indicate the applicant requirements for this project
Doctoral degree in Physics or Chemistry and significant previous experience in optics and/or
sensing research are essential requirements for this project. Knowledge in holography,
holographic recording materials, photopolymers, and diffractive optical components is desirable.
Doctoral degree holders who are leading authors in their field and have taken part in important
innovations or new developments in that field are strongly encouraged to apply to the scheme.
The candidates are expected to demonstrate effective communication and knowledge transfer
skills with the ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences. Ability to
work collaboratively and as part of a team to an agreed work plan is expected. Record of having
secured independent, competitive research funding is essential. It is desirable that the applicants
will have experience in supervision of postgraduate researchers.
Deadline to submit applications
30 June 2015