Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI)

🎉 We're thrilled to share some exciting news!   Our very own Director, Prof Des Gibson, and esteemed member Dr Carlos Garcia Nuñez have been recognised in the prestigious Stanford/Elsevier list, highlighting the top 2% of the most cited scientists globally!    https://lnkd.in/eYmHV7Zx   This remarkable achievement is a testament to their exceptional contributions to scientific research and innovation. Their work continues to inspire and elevate our team to new heights.   Congratulations, Prof. Gibson and Dr Garcia Nuñez, on this well-deserved recognition! 👏👏   #ResearchExcellence #TopScientists #Innovation #StanfordElsevierList #ProudMoment #GlobalImpact

Congratulation's to University of the West of Scotland Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging third year PhD student Emma Keel who won the 1st place presenting her work on 3D Graphene foam-based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for energy harvesting devices at the 4th Special IMechE greater London Region Symposium as part of the 16th International Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection, SEEP Conference, Vienna 2024 . For more information on Emma`s presented work follow link: https://lnkd.in/eXBJYgDU Emma`s PhD project is funded by Integrated Graphene Ltd (IGL), University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering (SRPe). PhD supervisory team comprises academic supervisors Professor Des Gibson & Dr Qaisar Abbas (University of the West of Scotland), Dr Carlos Garcia Nuñez (University of Glasgow) and industrial supervisor Dr Marco Caffio (IGL technical director). Emma is currently on a three month research secondment to the Institute of Energy Storage Systems and Storage Management, Sustainable Energy and Power Systems University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (director Professor Abdul Ghani Olabi).

🚀 New Publication Alert! 🚀   We're excited to announce our latest research published in *Advanced Electronic Materials*: Manel Pelayo Garcia, Karim Ben Saddik, Mahdieh Shojaei Baghini, Dave Hughes, Des Gibson, Basilio Javier García, Carlos Garcia Nuñez, "Giant Piezoelectric Effect Induced by Porosity in Inclined ZnO Thin Films." ✨   🌍 Traditional piezoceramics, while effective, face challenges with integration and environmental concerns due to their lead content. Our work focuses on ZnO nanostructured thin films—a promising alternative with the potential for miniaturization and integration in modern electronics. However, ZnO piezoelectric properties have historically been lower than those of ceramics... until now! ⚡   🔬 Using oblique angle deposition (OAD), we have induced porosity in inclined ZnO thin films, achieving a remarkable d33 coefficient of 115.6 pC N−1, an 897% increase compared to standard ZnO films (11.6 pC N−1) and the highest value reported for piezoelectric-enhanced ZnO films to date. This breakthrough makes ZnO thin films a powerful contender against traditional ceramics in piezoelectric applications.   🧪 Our study dives deep into the morphology, composition, crystal structure, and piezoelectricity of these films, with SEM and XRD analyses confirming the high crystal quality and unique microstructure of the OAD films. Finite element analysis (FEA) further demonstrated that the porosity enhances local strain, significantly boosting the piezoelectric output, as evidenced in ultrasonic pulse-echo experiments.   🔧 This innovative, low-cost method is set to revolutionize the field, paving the way for the next generation of high-performance piezoelectric materials. novosound is actively working on commercializing this important new technique. To that end, this work is subject to a patent filing by novosound and will allow shortly to develop an ultrasonic probe utilizing these enhanced ZnO thin films.   🙌 This research was proudly supported by CENSIS, novosound Ltd., and Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI), with crucial measurements conducted at James Watt Nanofabrication Centre in the University of Glasgow.    Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push the boundaries of materials science!   🔗 https://lnkd.in/dEFNvnDb   #Innovation #Piezoelectricity #ZnOThinFilms #AdvancedMaterials #Research #Electronics #Sustainability #CENSIS #Novosound #ITFSI #JWNC #ScienceBreakthroughs 🌟

🚨New publication alert 🚨 Are you interested in a groundbreaking plasma-based technique for nanomaterial engineering? If so, don’t miss our latest publication in the Advanced Physics Research journal. #PhD #materialscience #plasmaphysics novosound University of the West of Scotland University of Glasgow Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI)

Congratulations to Dr Manuel Pelayo Garcia on publication of patent pending work on a new thin film deposition method for piezoelectric thin films deployed in sensors – published July 2024 in high impact journal  Advanced Physics Research ( https://lnkd.in/eqaWikZi ). M. Pelayo Garcia, D. Gibson, K.L. McAughey, D.A. Hughes and C. García Núñez, “Ultra-Inclined Nanocolumnar ZnO Films Sputtered Using a Novel Masking Configuration Providing Controlled and Restricted Oblique Angle Deposition for Enhanced Sensing Platforms” Advanced Physics Research 2400020 (2024) 1-15, DOI: 10.1002/apxr.202400020   The work derives from Manuel`s PhD research project supported by CENSIS & University of the West of Scotland (UWS) spinout company Novosound Ltd – research work carried out at UWS Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI). Manuel is now employed by Novosound Ltd transferring the published technology into production.

University of the West of Scotland Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging second year PhD student Emma Keel recently attended the SPIE Photonics Europe conference in Strasbourg, France. Emma presented her work on the potential of broadband photodetectors based on three-dimensional graphene foam. Detail of the presented work is available at the following weblink Broadband photodetector three-dimensional graphene foam. | SPIE Photonics Europe . The PhD project is funded by Integrated Graphene Ltd (IGL), UWS and Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering (SRPe), investigating energy harvesting & storage,  and .photonic properties of IGL`s patented graphene foam material.

University of the West of Scotland`s (UWS) Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging is recruiting University of the West of Scotland`s (UWS) Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging (ITFSI - www.itfsi.com & https://lnkd.in/eZHYcmrx ) is recruiting; UWS jobs - REQ000090 – Lecturer in Physics (closing date 1st April 2024). Research activity associated with the advertised position will be based within ITFSI - the institute has active research themes in for example plasma assisted thin film deposition technology, optical coatings for use in gravitational wave detection, non-dispersive infrared gas sensors, thin film piezoelectric ultrasonic devices, linear variable filter based hyperspectral imaging, thin film surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. UWS ITFSI have commercialised research through formation of two spin out companies Novosound ( www.novosound.org ) and Albasense ( www.albasense.com ), both companies maintain close links with ITFSI . For further details about the position contact Professor Des Gibson ITFSI director of research - email des.gibson@uws.ac.uk .

We are delighted to congratulate our colleague Dr Lewis Fleming on securing Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Chartered Engineers are recognised as professionals with the highest level of engineering competence and expertise, developing solutions to engineering problems using new or existing technologies, through innovation, creativity and change and technical accountability for complex systems with significant levels of risk. The two year process involved Lewis demonstrating the highest standards of engineering and project management in two separate UWS ITFSI based projects with industry – firstly as a Knowledge Transfer Project associate with industrial partner Alphasense Ltd, developing a linear variable filter based near infrared spectrometer for detection of volatile organic compounds . The second project involved Lewis as a postdoctoral research fellow working within an InnovateUK project with various UK industry partners. This project developed a novel Microwave Plasma Assisted Sputter (MPAS) system for deposition of various precision optical coatings (MPAS shown in the photo). Lewis is a highly valued member of the UWS ITFSI team and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow working on two externally funded projects covering precision optical coatings for gravitational wave detection and methane gas sensor deployed as part of a digital dairy chain InnovateUK strength in places project