Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging

ITFSI Research themes

Plasma Assisted Thin Film Deposition & Non-dispersive Infrared Gas Sensors

Research interests include gravitational wave research, plasma sources, plasma assisted deposition of thin films, spectral thin film filters for non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensors, optical design of NDIR sensors and graphene material formation. Development of novel thin film deposition technology based on microwave plasma assisted sputtering (MPAS) and patented processes. The theme will build on previous KTP (Semefab, Teer Coatings), STFC (gravitational waves), CENSIS, Horizon 2020, InnovateUK, commercial research contracts (Gasclip Technologies Inc) and Royal Academy of Engineering funded projects.

Smart Microsystems

Research interests include optical coatings for gravitational wave detection, nanomaterials and metamaterials for Surface Enhanced Resonance Spectroscopy and micro-antenna applications, . Linear variable filter design and deposition and applications in miniaturized spectrometers and hyperspectral imaging. This research theme is multidisciplinary including modelling, physics and computing (Artificial Intelligence) for optical device development, data acquisition, data and image analysis, object recognition, etc.The work is supported by the unique ITFSI deposition equipment.. These systems can provide techniques to produce LVFs at low cost, large batch production and with high quality. Currently ITFSI has developed a wide range of LVFs: Visible, near IR, Mid IR and Far IR, commercialised via Albasense Ltd. with previous InnovateUK, CENSIS and KTP funded research projects covered applications in agriculture, medical and detection of volatile organic compounds.

Energy Harvesting/ Energy Storage

This research theme focuses on the study of new advanced materials and nanostructures for the development of energy systems and self-powered sensing platforms. The theme includes the synthesis and characterisation of semiconductor thin films, 2D materials and nanowires, exhibiting high performance energy harvesting features and high energy/power density properties. Modelling and simulation of energy materials is also a key pilar of this theme. Moreover, the theme comprises the design and fabrication of self-power pack systems (SPPS) through the utilisation of power management circuits to integrate both energy harvesting and storing devices in an all-in-one platform.

Thin Film Light Source/Detectors

Research in semiconductor photodetectors and light sources operating in the mid-infrared region between 3 and 6 microns. The primary focus of the work is to maximize the quantum efficiency of the materials for enhanced responsivity and detectivity. The semiconductors will require carefully engineered layers and electrode designs for use in low-noise amplifier circuits in gas sensors. High performance, with excellent reliability and repeatability including low-cost is the main goal of this work. Innovative packaging and assembly methods will also be investigated.

Key project summaries

Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging Funding – Last Three Year Key Project Summaries

Total - £3,680,341 (does not include ITFSI spinout Albasense Ltd production revenue marked * in following list)

Project breakdown/ PI provided as follows -

• *2022 (Nov): Production contract from Gasclip Technologies Inc to ITFSI spinout company Albasense Ltd for 60,000 methane gas sensors (value US$ 4.6M per annum with initial US$ 600,000 invoiced/ funds received Nov 2022). PI Albasense CEO/ founder Des Gibson
• 2022(Oct): SANS, “Analysis the Accessibility of Aqueous-Based Electrolytes into the Porous Structure of Supercapacitor Composite Electrodes” (Science & Technology Facilities Council [STFC], £30,000 Beam-time equivalent). PI Mojtaba Mirzaeian
• 2022 (Sept): InnovateUK “Development of a light-powered battery-less sensor for methane gas detection”, ITFSI spinout company Albasense Ltd and Lightricity Ltd (18 month programme total value £430,000, value to Albasense Ltd £212,000), PI Albasense CEO/ founder Des Gibson
• 2022 (May): SUPA – Saltire Emerging Researcher Visits, “Advanced characterisation of inclined metal oxide structures”, (3 months programme £5,000) UWS and UAM. PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2022 (June): SUPA – Short Term Funding, “Design and Fabrication of Supercapacitors”, (2 months programme £2,490) UWS and IIUI. PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2022 (Oct): UWS – VC PhD studentships, “Investigation of new advanced materials and structures for development of self-charging hybrid energy systems”, (36 months programme £61,542) PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2022 (Feb): InnovateUK “Strength in Places Fund (SIPF)” led by Scottish Rural College (SRUC) in partnership with Strathclyde University, CENSIS and various companies - Digital Dairy Value Chain.SIPF. UWS ITFSI contribution to Work Package 1 (60 month programme, ITFSI funding £294,552). PI Des Gibson
• 2021 (Nov): Knowledge Transfer Partnership, “Advanced thin film technology to enhance Semefab MEMS products”, (24 month programme £183,000), UWS, Semefab. Academic lead Des Gibson, Academic supervisor David Hutson
• 2021 (Jan): Commercial research contract Gasclip Technologies Inc (GTI), “Ultralow power consumption non-dispersive infrared methane sensor”, GTI, UWS (18 month programme £451,000). PI Des Gibson
• 2021: Science & Technology Facilities Council, “Research in Gravitational Wave Detection”, (3 yr programme £320,000). PI Des Gibson
• 2021 (Mar): Royal Society – Research Grant Round 1, “Study of piezo- phototronic effect on zinc oxide based ultrasonic sensors” (12 months programme £20,000) PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2021 (April): British Council and Government of India, “Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)” (12 Months Programme £25000) Role: Co- Investigator.
• 2021 (May): SANS, “Monitor the Accessibility of Electrolytes into Aqueous Based Supercapacitor Electrodes” (STFC, £80,000 Beam-time equivalent). PI Mojtaba Mirzaeian
• 2021 (Oct): UWS – VC PhD studentships, “Investigation of doped IV-VI polycrystalline thin films deposited by sputtering methods for high speed and room-temperature mid-infrared photodetectors” (36 months programme £61,542) PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2020 (Nov): Knowledge Transfer Partnership, “Microwave plasma assisted deposition of optical coatings”, (33 month programme £262,743), UWS, Teer Coatings Ltd. Academic lead Des Gibson
• 2020 (Sep): UWS – Crucible 2020, “Creation of advanced materials based PoC devices for Health and Environmental Rapid Test”, (6 months programme £5,000) PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2020 (Sep): Royal Society - Short Industry Fellowships 2020 Round 1, “Investigation of microwave plasma assisted sputter deposition of high-performance piezoelectric film based imaging and sensor devices”, (12 months programme £24,359) UWS, Novosound Ltd. PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2020 (Sep): Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering (SRPe) – PEER, “European Future and Emerging Technologies (FET-Open) Consortium on Self-powered Wearable Technology for Chronic Pain Relief Medical Treatments (SELF-CARE)”, (12 months programme £4,000) UWS, UofG, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez
• 2020 (Aug): InnovateUK, "Develop a new NPD capability in support of Consult Lift Services (CLS) strategic ambition to become an OEM/lift manufacturer." (30 Months project, total value £205,614.00), PI Parag Vichare
• 2020 (Jan): Erasmus+, EU-Asia Collaboration for aCcessible Education in Smart Power System (eACCESS)” (£875.281). Co-PI Parag Vichare
• 2019 (On-Going Project): Knowledge Transfer Partnership, “Development of Smart Facilities Management framework”, (36-month programme £286,969), UWS, Key Facilities Management. Academic lead: Ashwini Konanahalli, Academic supervisor: Des Gibson.
• 2019 (Mar): Knowledge Transfer Partnership, “Indoor Air Quality Monitoring using IoT and Machine Learning”, (24-month programme £184,332), UWS, BRS Technology. Academic Supervision: Ashwini Konanahalli.
• 2019 (June): Knowledge Transfer Partnership, “Near infrared miniaturised spectrophotometer for detection of volatile organic compounds”, (24 month programme £184,440), UWS, Alphasense Ltd, Sensorhut Ltd. Academic lead Des Gibson, academic supervisor Shigeng Song
• 2019 (May): Censis Innovation Centre Award, “Improved and low-cost infrared linear variable filters for spectrometry”, (9 month programme £106,883), UWS, Pyreos Ltd. PI Shigeng Song.
• 2019 (May): SANS Study of the Increased Accessibility of Electrolytes into Aqueous Based Supercapacitor Electrodes Using Novel Heteroatom-Loaded Carbons. (STFC, £100,000 Beam-time equivalent). PI Mojtaba Mirzaeian
• 2019 (Oct): China’s state administration for foreign expert affairs training for Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province. “Artificial Intelligence Technology Innovation – Industry perspective” (£54,000). Co-Lead: Ashwini Konanahalli.
• 2019 (Sep): Carnegie Trust - Research Incentive Grant, “Investigation of methods and materials to reduce coating thermal noise in gravitational waves detect”, (12 months programme £15,000), UWS, UoS and UofG. PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez.
• 2019 (Mar): British Council & Higher Education Commission – Innovative and Collaborative Research Grant, “Investigation in Advanced Energy Harvesters and Energy Storage Devices for Self-powered Flexible Energy”, (36 months programme £500,000), UWS, UofG, IIUI, UAM and Lightricity Ltd. PI Carlos Garcia Nuñez.