Electronic fabrics for wearable energy storage using advanced materials
Dr Katrina Morgan Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
Co Supervisors Prof Kai Yang and Dr Ioannis Zeimpekis
This PhD project aims to develop flexible fabric batteries using advanced vapour-based processes and next-generation materials, for powering wearable technology. This PhD combines material science, electronics, cleanroom fabrication and fashion, on a creative fabric platform.
Integrating invisible tech into everyday clothing creates seamless functionality for nearly everyone, revolutionizing fitness, health, environmental, transport, and fashion industries. This PhD project aims to revolutionize wearable technology by developing flexible fabric batteries using cutting-edge vapour-based processes and novel fabrics, overcoming current limitations in e-textile manufacturing, particularly in energy storage.
The PhD student will combine complex material development at the forefront of electronic manufacturing with creative and non-traditional textiles.
They will gain experience in advanced cleanroom fabrication techniques such as Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD), and Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), while exploring unique applications with fabrics and clothing. The student will use these materials to create fabric batteries, ideal for powering wearable tech.
This interdisciplinary project spans physics, engineering, electronics, chemistry, and fashion, co-supervised by Prof. Kai Yang from Winchester School of Art (WSA).
PhD students will join the Morgan Materials and Devices for Energy (MADE) research group and have access to world-class facilities at the University of Southampton, including the Zepler Institute Cleanrooms and the Printed electronics and materials (PEM) Laboratory. They will also join a cohort of PhD students in the University’s new Sustainability and Resilience Institute Centre for Postgraduate Research (SRI CPGR).
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including physics, engineering, electronics, and chemistry. The School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equity of opportunity, providing a unique, friendly, and supportive environment. The university is Athena SWAN Silver Award recognized, committed to improving equity for women in science and engineering.
Applications should include:
* a personal statement
* 2 academic references
* degree transcripts to date
Funding Notes
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.
Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.
Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs (minimum of £19,237 in 2024-25) for top-ranked applicants.
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
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