Advanced Solar Lasers and Wearable Technologies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
This experimental and practice-based PhD brings together Physics and Art & Design in the UoD for the first time to develop the power and efficiency of solar lasers and explore applications within wearable technologies.
Since their first demonstration in 1962, solar-powered lasers have attracted interest as a tool for generating and distributing renewable energy both for ground based and space based applications [1]. However, despite several decades of research, solar-powered lasers have yet to reach the levels of efficiency or output beam quality that would make these applications feasible. One key requirement for efficient solar lasers is high solar concentration [2]. This requires the design and manufacture of complex reflectors and light guides such as compound parabolic concentrators and trough concentrators.
In this experimental and practice-based PhD the student will develop solar semiconductor lasers, and solid-state lasers based on Neodynium doped crystals coupled with wavelength converters, to increase the power and efficiency of solar lasers to an exploitable power level. They will achieve this through experimenting with a variety of materials and forms more commonly used in jewellery to make small sunlight concentrators. Utilising techniques such as metal casting, 3d-printing, acrylic and glass moulding, along with polishing and metallic coating through electroplating, evaporation or sputtering for the manufacture of these concentrators is crucial, and will be a focus of this PhD. The PhD will also simultaneously explore these enhanced sunlight concentrators and colour convertors as creative objects in jewellery, including their application within smart wearable technologies [3] which might also incorporate fibre optics, light emitters and photovoltaics.
It is hoped that this PhD will form a bridge between the two disciplines, forming fresh thinking and new approaches in both, enhancing communication and provide a foundation for future collaboration.
Since their first demonstration in 1962, solar-powered lasers have attracted interest as a tool for generating and distributing renewable energy both for ground based and space based applications [1]. However, despite several decades of research, solar-powered lasers have yet to reach the levels of efficiency or output beam quality that would make these applications feasible. One key requirement for efficient solar lasers is high solar concentration [2]. This requires the design and manufacture of complex reflectors and light guides such as compound parabolic concentrators and trough concentrators.
In this experimental and practice-based PhD the student will develop solar semiconductor lasers, and solid-state lasers based on Neodynium doped crystals coupled with wavelength converters, to increase the power and efficiency of solar lasers to an exploitable power level. They will achieve this through experimenting with a variety of materials and forms more commonly used in jewellery to make small sunlight concentrators. Utilising techniques such as metal casting, 3d-printing, acrylic and glass moulding, along with polishing and metallic coating through electroplating, evaporation or sputtering for the manufacture of these concentrators is crucial, and will be a focus of this PhD. The PhD will also simultaneously explore these enhanced sunlight concentrators and colour convertors as creative objects in jewellery, including their application within smart wearable technologies [3] which might also incorporate fibre optics, light emitters and photovoltaics.
It is hoped that this PhD will form a bridge between the two disciplines, forming fresh thinking and new approaches in both, enhancing communication and provide a foundation for future collaboration.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Keith Wilcox (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Karen Westland (Student) |
| Title | 'Solar Concentration in Physics & Craft' Matthew Gallery, Dundee |
| Description | This exhibition highlighted the research conducted by Karen Westland, during her second year of PhD research within Physics and Craft. The aim of this event was to raise discussion around collaborative work between the arts and science, to better understand the opportunities created when both disciplines combine. This research exhibition explores solar concentration for scientific and craft purposes. The two key goals of the research project are to improve the efficiency of a solid state Nd:YAG solar laser through making custom Compound Parabolic Concentrators (CPCs), and to explore the potential of solar concentration within craft. Reflection is also made on this amalgamation of methodology and practice to explore what potential might be lying between the disciplines. In addition to engaging other academics and practitioners in interdisciplinary research, the exhibition was organised at the mid point of the research project to evaluate what was successful and challenging within the project to inform the methodology of future research. Group interviews were conducted with 11 members of staff at The University of Dundee & DJCAD who had some level of involvement in the research, within the exhibition space. The exhibition informed all involved of the full research narrative as opposed to the subjective area they contributed towards and visually communicated interdisciplinary research as a prompt for the interviews. |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | The exhibition was an outcome for disseminating knowledge whilst also acting as a catalyst to inform future practice within the ongoing research project. The work was held within DJCAD where art/design and physics students were encouraged to visit. Karen Westland invigilated the exhibition throughout the event (13th-20th Nov 2019) to verbally engage with students interested in collaborative projects between art and science. A short video was created to document the exhibition and the event was also communicated to Karen's business social media network. As a result of the exhibition Karen was invited to teach undergraduates in DJCAD for >60hrs, to promote experimental research. Those who engaged with the exhibition in some capacity would have gained a new perspective on interdisciplinary research between physics and craft, solar lasers (renewable energy) and sustainable craft processing. |
| URL | http://karenwestland.com/RESEARCH |
| Description | EPSRC Innovation Placement |
| Amount | £1,083 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | EPSRC Innovation Placement |
| Amount | £1,330 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2019 |
| End | 03/2020 |
| Description | SUPA Short Term Visits Funding (Cancelled due to Covid) |
| Amount | £1,714 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2020 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | 'Solar Concentration in Physics & Craft' Exhibition in the Matthew Gallery, Dundee, 13th-20th November 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | An aim of the interviews was to better understand the nature of interdisciplinary research projects, by drawing insights through discussions with eleven experienced members of technical and academic staff from the disciplines of physics, engineering, design, craft and further afield at The University of Dundee to form a case study. Three questions for discussion over the course of an hour allowed the interviewees to express their thoughts and feelings on interdisciplinary research. These questions were: What are the benefits of disciplinary collaboration? How can different disciplines communicate better with each other? What could realistic goals for interdisciplinary research be? General themes were drawn from the qualitative data collected, which have informed the methodology of the research project and may be insightful for similar interdisciplinary projects in the future. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://karenwestland.com/RESEARCH |
| Description | 'Unraveling Narratives' lecture (1 hour) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Between 50-60 undergraduate design students attended the lecture which explored the communication of research through the 'Unraveling Narratives' presentation. The content of the presentation focused on the different disciplines and audiences one can engage with when presenting research projects and the communication techniques that can be employed. This research project was used as a case study to convey these ideas to the audience. The lecture allowed the students to place the theory they had learnt into a real example to solidify their learning before implementing the knowledge into their own research practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | 'Unravelling Narratives' Lecture (1hour) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Between 50-60 undergraduate design students attended the lecture which explored the communication of research through the 'Unraveling Narratives' presentation. The content of the presentation focused on the different disciplines and audiences one can engage with when presenting research projects and the communication techniques that can be employed. This research project was used as a case study to convey these ideas to the audience. The lecture allowed the students to place the theory they had learnt into a real example to solidify their learning before implementing the knowledge into their own research practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Scientistt Poster Competition (Online) - in the top 10 Physics Posters Category |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Scientistt held an online Poster Competition where the top 10 posters in the Physics category were shortlisted by a panel of judges before publishing the posters online. Thereafter, a public vote determined who the overall winner was. My poster would have been accessible to read/view online by anyone with or without an account. The fact that the poster was shortlisted for the physics category is a promising sign that more people are engaging with and recognise the importance of interdisciplinary work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.scientistt.net/ |
| Description | Soapbox Science Event, Perth (Scotland) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Soapbox Science Events promote female scientists to talk about their research or work in public locations to broaden our understanding of who a scientist is and what they do. The event at the plaza in Perth was held between 11am - 2pm 19th May 2018, where speakers wore lab-coats and presented their research to the general public verbally and with visual prompts atop a platform, or soapbox. This was a great opportunity for the public to learn about some of the scientific activities happening locally in addition to the speakers learning more about how the public interact with their specialism. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://soapboxscience.org |