As a keen academic and Olympic athlete, I believe there is no better place to undertake a PhD than Loughborough University. The key to both my academic and sporting success has been consistency, and I’ve been fortunate to receive strong guidance, support from motivated peers, and the opportunity to learn from great role models. The level of support and the facilities available are outstanding, which has allowed me to thrive in both areas.
I have received excellent supervision throughout my research and have had the opportunity to collaborate on projects with other universities, highlighting the great unity in our collective efforts towards achieving net-zero goals. Additionally, I’ve benefited from valuable developmental opportunities, including attending conferences and engaging in further learning initiatives through the Doctoral College. These experiences have greatly enhanced my academic growth and overall development.
My research explores self-cleansing, low-reflectance surfaces for PV performance and integrates engineering, chemistry and physics principles. The aim of my research is to investigate how light interacts with materials, whilst exploring methods of achieving seamless adhesion between surfaces, we well as conducting hydrophobic studies. Designing the optimal system has been challenging, as it sits at the intersection of these diverse scientific disciplines. However, I believe this interdisciplinary approach provides the perfect opportunity to make novel contributions to the field, pushing the boundaries of what is currently understood and opening new avenues for innovation.
“Since 2010, the largest growth in renewable electricity has been driven by solar and wind energy (variable renewables), which reached 11.7% of the global electricity mix in 2022” (International Renewable Energy Agency, 2024).
A big challenge solar panel owners face is inconsistent power output, caused by obstructions in the path of sunlight to the solar cells. Two such obstructions occur on the panel’s surface: dust and dirt accumulation as well as reflection. Using knowledge of light transmission and surface properties, I am refining a high transmission hydrophobic system to reduce output loss over the lifetime of a panel, in a hope to positively contribute to the global effort towards net zero.
If successful, this coating will remove the need for regular cleaning of solar panels, reducing maintenance costs and water usage, which would be especially crucial in equatorial regions, where intense heat and humidity lead to elevated levels of dust pollution. We hope that this will make it easier to own and maintain panels for the duration of their service life and companies will be keen to implement this technology as an in-built feature.
My PhD recommendations are to:
- Consider community – Your research experience will be informed by the relationships you build with your supervisors and peers, as well as in your spare time. A community divides the burden and multiplies the reward, and so consider the kind of environment that brings out the best in you.
- Build on your enjoyment – The person who enjoys walking will walk further than the man who walks to get somewhere. Choosing your topic, designing your routine and seeking opportunities should begin with what inspires you.
- Expect failure – Any good story involves battles of some kind. Yours will most certainly include periods of confusion, delays, and run-ins with reality. A mindset that is enthused by what lies on the other side of difficulty will make the most out of their experience.