By Dr Philip Hands is a Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, and was part of the 2013 cohort of Cruciblists.
Philip’s research focuses on 4 main areas: Point-of-care medical diagnostics, liquid crystal lasers, wearable electronics/sensors and adaptive optical systems.
Research Interests:
Polymer biosensors
In collaboration with the School of Chemistry, and with Axis-Shield Diagnostics, Philip is developing new bio-responsive polymer materials for micro-RNA detection. These sensors can be printed onto low-cost substrates for future point-of-care medical diagnostics applications.
Liquid crystal lenses & adaptive optical systems
Philip has expertise in the development of adaptive liquid crystal (LC) devices, especially LC lenses, for applications in camera systems, ophthalmics, laser tweezing, 3D displays and digital holography. He work’s closely with multiple industrial partners on a number of projects in this field.
Metal-polymer composites
Philip has expertise in the use of metal-polymer composites, and their applications in pressure sensing and array-based chemical vapour detection (electronic noses). In particular, Philip worked closely with the company Peratech, in the early stages of the development of their “Quantum Tunnelling Composite” (QTC).
Liquid crystal lasers
Philip has worked extensively on the development of low-cost tunable-wavelength organic laser systems using self-assembling liquid crystal (LC) photonic band-gap materials as resonant microcavities. His is interested in the integration of these laser systems for point-of-care applications in biomedical research and diagnostics. Techniques being developed towards this aim include polymer stabilisation, microfluidic dispersion, paintable and ink-jet printable lasers. This work has been instrumental to the spin-out and subsequent successful sale of the start-up company, Ilumink.
Further information can be found on Philip’s webpage at the University of Edinburgh.