Design of smart packaging using novel processing technology

Are you interested in sustainability and reduction of waste? This project is about understanding the mechanisms of smart packaging film and its various applications. Non-thermal processing technologies will be used to produce the sensors, and mechanical and functional properties will be tested. <br /> <br /> The widespread use of plastic products has raised severe environmental concerns due to their non-biodegradable nature. Consequently, there is a growing interest in sustainable biodegradable films, which urgently need to serve as replacements for conventional packaging materials. Recent studies have identified that the integration of bioactive substances such as anthocyanins and essential oils into films enhances the antimicrobial properties. <br /> Anthocyanins exhibit strong antioxidant activities. Meanwhile, essential oils, recognized as safe additives, have excellent antimicrobial activities and can effectively extend the shelf life of food products. However, most bioactive substances have the characteristics of instability and easy degradation, particularly with heat. Moreover, the preparation of multifunctional films typically involves solvent casting methods followed by oven drying, inevitably leading to the loss of bioactive substance efficacy, thereby compromising the anticipated functionality of the films.

<p>To mitigate the drawbacks of bioactives, the use of novel non-thermal process is of utmost importance. Electrospinning, a non-thermal process, can encapsulate thermosensitive compounds within fibres while preserving their activity, producing nanofibers with high surface area-to-volume ratios and porosity. Current electrospinning techniques primarily include blend electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, and emulsion electrospinning, with the latter two being more widely utilized due to their superior encapsulation capabilities. However, the low production yield of electrospinning is a primary factor limiting its large-scale industrial application. An novel technological concept, "needle-less electrospinning", has been proposed, enabling large-scale production of nanofibers to meet the demand for novel packaging films.<br />  </p>

<p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{113}" paraid="1539768372"><strong>You must contact the proposed supervisor for this project before you make a formal application. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{119}" paraid="1895649428">A formal application for research degree study should then be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{125}" paraid="1717955186">For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{131}" paraid="1941411394">The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year.   </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{137}" paraid="1823221166">You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD Food Science and Nutrition Full-time’.   </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{143}" paraid="754352421">The project start date for this project is October 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{149}" paraid="202248598">Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is ‘Design of smart packaging using novel processing technology’ as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/9827/dr-evi-paximada">Dr Evi Paximada</a> as your proposed supervisor. </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{155}" paraid="812110430">If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). </p> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{161}" paraid="1891516213">More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>. You will need to provide copies of the following documents: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{172}" paraid="1858125611">a research proposal for this project</li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{178}" paraid="877561217">your CV </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{184}" paraid="1448270499">certificates and transcripts of all academic qualifications </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{190}" paraid="932080590">English language qualification certificates </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{196}" paraid="1315959137">visa and immigration documents, if applicable </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{202}" paraid="226045984">funding information – sources of funding that you are applying for (e.g. government scholarship), or if you are able to pay your own fees and maintenance</li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

For start dates from September 2026, the minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Food Science and Nutrition is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{143}" paraid="557166827"><strong>This is not a funded project, but you can apply for funding separately. Self-funding students are also welcome to apply. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{149}" paraid="1936376053"><strong>Please note that in addition to the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/research-degrees-fees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">tuition fee</a> for the programme there will also be a <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/postgraduate-research-bench-policy" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">bench fee</a> of £5,000 per year for this project.   </strong></p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{171}" paraid="1993701339">Funding opportunities for Home students – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> are available to UK applicants.  <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{194}" paraid="629442306">Funding opportunities for International students –The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p>

<p>For further information regarding the project, please contact Dr Evi Paximada by email: <a href="mailto:e.paximada@leeds.ac.uk">e.paximada@leeds.ac.uk</a>. You must contact Evi before making a formal application.</p>