Student Profiles

James Hallett

As part of our first year of training we take part in interdisciplinary research in the form of exploratory training assignments (ETA). These are performed in pairs of students from different disciplines to allow for the exchange of skills.

James Armstrong

The first thing that struck me about BCFN was the structure of the PhD. The first year is comprised of nanoscience lectures, workshops and industrial training, as well as three practical projects spanning different chemistry and physics laboratories.

Hugo Dominguez

It is one of the best buildings in the world to study nanoscience, the facilities are amazing and brand new. I cannot think of anywhere else better to study nanoscience.

Natalie Wood

The initial year of interdisciplinary training is what particularly attracted me to BCFN. The combination of ETAs, industrial training days, personal development sessions and online modules result in a busy yet ultimately rewarding first year.

Sam Olof

The goal of my extended project is to develop an optical atomic force microscope. It will be achieved by substituting the AFM cantilever with a complex biological form, which will be controlled using optical tweezers, with the reaction forces measured as it is scanned over a surface.

Konstantinos Chatzipanagis

I studied Chemical Engineering for my undergraduate degree, so I thought it would be great to do a Masters in Nanoscience because it has an Engineering aspect. It will give me the knowledge to enter other scientific fields that are very innovative. Nanoscience is developing constantly.

Jamie Shenston

I chose the BCFN because it offered many things that a “regular” PhD does not. The specific lecture courses, the training projects and the team of academics involved were the main reasons I was interested in joining the BCFN.

Josh Lay

We are all encouraged to do some form of public engagement and I had my first chance to do this at the Bristol Festival of Nature. I helped to run a stand based on the 'Time for Nano' theme which involved activities to show what nanotechnology can do and how it can be used to change the properties of materials.

Rebecca Boston

The lecture courses and shorter projects are really good for learning about areas of nanoscience which were beyond the scope of my undergraduate degree.

David Wilby

The BCFN Doctoral Training Centre is a unique way to study for a PhD. The introductory year's projects and taught modules provide an incredible insight into the fields of Nanoscience before choosing a PhD topic for the final three years.

Oliver Gould

If you want to work in a technology or science based company, the MSc gives you a broad range of skills that makes you much more employable.

In terms of science, it is much more about doing what you want than at undergraduate level. If you are interested in a particular field, you are free to pursue that.

Mike Thomas

I spent my three week international placement at the Max-Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces in Germany. The trip was a wonderful opportunity to work with and meet academics and researchers at the forefront of research in a very different work environment than I was used to in the UK.

Lydia Bridgland

Being part of BCFN is highlighting many possibilities for careers in both academia and industry. Through lectures, training and project work I have been given access to a large number of well-established academics across many departments.

Laura Senior

At BCFN I get the chance to undertake several projects during the first year, giving me a chance to explore various subjects and techniques before deciding on which direction I want to continue in for my PhD.

Charlotte Beddoes

My first ETA project “Excitonic Solar Cells based on Ternary Low Band Gap Quantum Dots” offers experience in synthesis and characterisation of quantum dots, photoelectrochemical techniques, Atomic Force and Electron Microscopy and solar cell technology.

Tom Branfield

The online modules are fantastic – they are concise and let you know the key information quickly. This is really important when reading outside your discipline. The modules come with nifty animations and simulations, which are fantastic for getting the key concepts across, and you can learn at your own pace.

Ben Brown

The close ties that the BCFN holds with industry are highly beneficial for us. The visits and presentations from industrial partners have proven to be both interesting and informative, giving a unique insight into each of the companies involved.

Ye Li

The people here are great. While you talk with people from different cultures and backgrounds you will find you improve rapidly.

What's more the facilities here are world-class.

What is the BCFN?

We provide innovative postgraduate training through our 4-year PhD programme and 1-year MSc. The film below outlines our new MSc in Nanoscience & Functional Nanomaterials.

Watch a short film about our PhD programme

News and Events

BCFN students take part in Science Communication Course

BCFN students recently visited BBC broadcasting house to record a fifteen minute “as live” radio show, as part of an 3-day science communication course. Guided by BBC presenter, Gareth Mitchell, we learnt about scientific writing and broadcasting, filmed and edited our own video news segment, under instruction from leaders in science journalism. As a result, we have now set up a blog and podcast of our own, nanotes.net, which we would never have dreamed of without this inspirational experience.

Nano X Outreach Project

The Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials (BCFN) has joined together with local schools for an outreach project called NanoX. This project, devised by Dr Paul Hill from Colston’s School aims to educate students in years 9-12 about the science, ethics and social aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Students from the BCFN have been working with pupils at Colston’s, Winterbourne International Academy, Cabot Learning Federation and St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School to bring nanoscience research from the University of Bristol to life in the classroom. More details

Syngenta lead BCFN student brainstorming event

Dr. Neil George and colleagues from Syngenta plc led BCFN Masters and PhD students in a one-day brainstorming exercise to explore how Nanoscience and Nanotechnology could be applied to crop protection, plant development and improvements in agricultural production.

BCFN working in partnership with Chinese recruitment specialists

Dr. Terry McMaster and Dr. Charl Faul hosted a dinner with student recruitment agents in Beijing in November. Organised together with OriginSight International, the guests included representatives from a number of leading agencies in China.

BCFN meets Chinese students in Beijing

Dr. Terry McMaster, BCFN Director, along with colleagues Dr. Charl Faul of the BCFN Management Team and Emma Weeks of the University of Bristol International Office, met with a large number of PhD candidates at the China PhD workshop in Beijing. Dr. McMaster gave a talk about the opportunities for PhD research with the BCFN.

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