Recently, chemiresistive sensing has emerged as one of the most promising technologies for portable and low-cost sensing applications ranging from air quality monitoring, explosive detection to medical diagnostics. In the past few years, by leveraging advanced nanostructure engineering, surface functionalization, and flexible substrate integration strategies, we have developed high performance III-V nanowire array-based gas sensor platform combining tuneable sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid response at room temperature. By combining with optoelectronic device (e.g., solar cell) design, we have further demonstrated self-powered gas sensor with the sub-ppb to ppt-level limit of detection for environmental (nitrogen dioxide sensor) and metabolic health monitoring (acetone senor). In this project, we aim to combine coupled optical and electrical simulations, top-down and bottom-up fabrication approaches, and AI-assisted modelling to design and fabricate various types of nanowire array sensors, to achieve scalable and flexible device architectures that facilitate the integration of multipixel nanowire array sensors into portable, real-time platforms for advanced environmental and healthcare monitoring.

This project will involve the design, fabrication, and characterisation of advanced III-V semiconductor nanowire gas sensors, where students will:

• Design, engineer and fabricate nanowire arrays with novel geometries, electronic junction designs, and surface modifications to push sensitivity and selectivity limits.
• Develop and test flexible and wearable sensors for real-world application.
• Employ theoretical modelling to understand nanowire device physics, guide sensor design and enhance sensor performance.
• Validate sensor performance both in controlled laboratory conditions and in on-site field testing.

Through this project, students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop expertise in:

• State-of-the-art nanomaterial device fabrication techniques, such as electron beam lithography and focused ion beam processing within a cleanroom environment
• Surface chemistry and nanomaterials functionalisation, device integration and packaging, including flexible electronics and sensor system prototyping
• Numerical and analytical modelling of nanodevices, including simulation of charge transport and surface interactions. Data analysis, signal processing, and interpretation relevant to real-world sensor data. 

For PhD students 3rd year Condensed matter Physics or Engineering Materials Science/Semiconductor courses are recommended but for undergraduate projects no special requirements.