Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors play a critical role in enabling the development of new platforms for a wide range of applications, including energy conversion (solar cells, nanogenerators, fuel cells), energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors), optoelectronics (photo-detectors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes), sensors, transistors and catalysts. However, the manufacturing of nanostructured semiconductors faces a significant challenge to achieve combined large-scale, low-temperature, cost-effective, high productivity, size-controlled materials and devices with ease of fabrication. We aim to provide a solution to these challenges through developing a scalable, rapid, low-temperature laser manufacturing technology that is applicable to a wide range of nanostructured semiconductors. Three types of nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (SnO2, TiO2 and ZnO) will be synthesised via a one-step, rapid and low-temperature laser-assisted hydrothermal technique (LAHT) in ambient air on both rigid and flexible substrates up to 32 cm2 (2.5" wafer size), within 1 - 2 mins. This will be achieved using a tailored, expanded beam configuration of a high-power fibre laser without beam scanning, which enables the LAHT process to be efficiently incorporated into roll-to-roll manufacturing processes without the use of autoclaves and furnaces. To be able to control the growth of nanostructured metal oxides in terms of morphology, crystallinity and orientation, the project offers an opportunity to explore underlying mechanisms of large scale growth of various nanostructured metal oxides via LAHT, and to establish understanding the performance of the functional devices, i.e. power conversion efficiency and operational stability, sensitivity and durability through the assembly of perovskite solar cells and ultraviolet photodetectors. This will directly advance photonic manufacturing capability and demonstrate the potential to impact on the development of future photovoltaic and photonic sensing technologies. In addition, energy consumption/carbon emission for the LAHT will be evaluated in comparison with existing autoclave/furnace based techniques.

The dramatic changes in global manufacturing have greatly increased the demand from UK companies for skilled employees and new operational practices that will deliver internationally leading business positions. The UK is considered to be very strong both in scientific research and in the invention of innovative products within emerging sectors. This conclusion is supported by the fact the UK is a significant net exporter of intellectual property, ranking behind only USA and Japan. The potential of the UK's innovation capacity to create new high-end manufacturing jobs is therefore significant. Maximising this wealth generation opportunity within the UK will however depend on the creation of a new breed of skilled personnel that will deliver next generation innovative production systems. Without relevant research training, production research, r&d infrastructure, and an effective technology supply chain, there will be a limit to the UK's direct employment growth from its innovation capacity, leading to constant migration of UK wealth creation potential into overseas economies. Many emerging sectors and next generation products will demand large-scale ultra precision (nanometre-level tolerance) complex components. Such products include: 1) Next generation displays (flexible or large-scale), activated and animated wall coverings, 3D displays, intelligent packaging and innovative clothing ; 2) Plastic electronic devices supporting a range of low cost consumer products from food packaging to hand held devices; 3) Low cost photovoltaics, energy management and energy harvesting devices; and 4) Logistics, defence and security technologies through RFID and infrared systems. The EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision is largely founded on the support of SMEs. It is widely acknowledged that manufacturing employment growth in developed manufacturing economies will stem from SMEs and emerging sectors . The supply of highly trained ultra precision engineers to UK manufacturing operations is therefore critically important in order to deliver benefit from any new technologies that arise from the industrial or academic research base within the EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision.

The dramatic changes in global manufacturing have greatly increased the demand from UK companies for skilled employees and new operational practices that will deliver internationally leading business positions. The UK is considered to be very strong both in scientific research and in the invention of innovative products within emerging sectors. This conclusion is supported by the fact the UK is a significant net exporter of intellectual property, ranking behind only USA and Japan. The potential of the UK's innovation capacity to create new high-end manufacturing jobs is therefore significant. Maximising this wealth generation opportunity within the UK will however depend on the creation of a new breed of skilled personnel that will deliver next generation innovative production systems. Without relevant research training, production research, R&D infrastructure, and an effective technology supply chain, there will be a limit to the UK's direct employment growth from its innovation capacity, leading to constant migration of UK wealth creation potential into overseas economies. Many emerging sectors and next generation products will demand large-scale ultra precision (nanometre-level tolerance) complex components. Such products include: 1) Next generation displays (flexible or large-scale), activated and animated wall coverings, 3D displays, intelligent packaging and innovative clothing ; 2) Plastic electronic devices supporting a range of low cost consumer products from food packaging to hand held devices; 3) Low cost photovoltaics, energy management and energy harvesting devices; and 4) Logistics, defence and security technologies through RFID and infrared systems. The EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision is largely founded on the support of SMEs. It is widely acknowledged that manufacturing employment growth in developed manufacturing economies will stem from SMEs and emerging sectors. The supply of highly trained ultra precision engineers to UK manufacturing operations is therefore critically important in order to deliver benefit from any new technologies that arise from the industrial or academic research base within the EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision. Since the CDT-UP has academic foundations which are highly multidisciplinary, it is well aligned to the following EPSRC priority areas:- Complex manufactured products; functional materials; Innovative production processes; Materials technologies; Sustainable use of materials; and Photonics materials.