PhD Studentship : Real-time monitoring of hydration levels in athletes

Queen Mary, University of London

The interaction of microwave and terahertz energy with the human body and biological systems offers many opportunities. There are several applications which utilises high-frequency signal interactions involving human hydration status for sports and healthcare applications. In collaboration with NPL, we have progressed the design of a patented device called NPL HydraSense which utilises microwave signals for quantifying tissue water content in real-time. However, the second generation device requires design improvements and a full campaign of clinically approved testing in the sports people and medical environments.

Previous studies demonstrate that dehydration can have a significant negative impact on the performance of athletes resulting in heat illness at warmer climates. For example, dehydration results in dysphagia in stroke patients causing unnecessary clinical outcomes and costs to the NHS. The most common method for monitoring the hydration status is either by plasma osmolality in blood samples or by bioelectrical impedence analysis. However, these techniques do not provide enough information that could be considered as clinically relevant and are unsuitable for monitoring the acute changes during exercise. This project will require the investigations of microwave and terahertz signals interactions with the human body, including experiments to define safe working levels and frequencies. The student will then need to develop the next generation of prototype devices using electronics, design and microwave propagation skills to develop a further generation of prototype hydration monitoring devices. The current prototype utilises an ear lobe attachment which needs to accommodate a microwave antenna and wireless circuitry while remaining in stable contact during low intensity and moderate exercise. Existing and developed prototypes will be evaluated using biomaterials for frequency-dependent microwave absorption measurements and ethically approved in vivo measurements.

It is also expected the student will become involved in other microwave hydration imaging projects in progress at NPL for use in other industrial sectors including food, agriculture and veterinary science.

Supervisors: 

Dr Tina Chowdhury, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London

Dr Richard Dudley, Communication Technologies Group, Science Area Leader in Microwave and Terahrtz Applications, NPL.

Studentship Details

• Available to Home/EU/International Applicants
• Applicants will be required to start in September/October 2013.
• The studentship will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend (£15,590 in 2012/13) for up to three years.
• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• Student must have skills in the following RF electronics, microwave propagation, microwave experimental testing and design.
• International applicants should refer to the following website athttp://www.qmul.ac.uk/international/index.html  

Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Tina Chowdhury

Tel: 020 7882 7560

E-mail: t.t.chowdhury@qmul.ac.uk

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Medical Engineering Science programme (Full Time, Semester 1 start) please follow the instructions detailed in section 3 of the following webpage: http://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/research/howtoapply/

During the online application process, please be sure to include a reference to ‘2013 SEMS RSS TC’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

For General enquiries, please email the School’s Research Administrator, Mr Jonathon Hills on j.hills@qmul.ac.uk 

Deadline for applications: 20^th March 2013

Interviews will take place at SEMS (27/03/2013) and NPL (29/03/2013)