Dr Simon Hodgson
Programme Lead for MRes Applied Science and Lecturer in Physical and Engineering Sciences
Biography
Simon is a senior lecturer in Physical and Engineering Sciences within the School of Natural Sciences. He completed his MChem degree at Bangor University in 2009 before joining the Centre for Solar Energy Research (CSER) at the University of Wales, Glyndwr. Here he completed his Ph.D. titled ‘Application of Quantum Dot Materials for Photon Management in Thin-Film Photovoltaics’ in 2014. His thesis focused on the use of fluorescent quantum dot materials to improve the performance of thin-film CdTe photovoltaic cells through photon management techniques. After finishing his doctorate he stayed at CSER as a Research Assistant as part of the Smart Operations for a Low Carbon Energy Region project where he used metal-organic chemical vapour deposition to deposit monolithically integrated thin-film photovoltaic micro-modules. He joined the University of Chester department of Mechanical Engineering in May 2015 as a Researcher in Laser Surface Engineering. He is currently a senior lecturer in Physical and Engineering Sciences, and Programme Leader for the MRes Applied Science course.
Teaching and Supervision
I primarily teach students on the BSc Chemistry, BSc Physics, and MSc Mechanical Engineering programmes. I also supervise research students at postgraduate level as doctoral candidates and at masters level through the MRes (Applied Sciences) programme for which I am the current programme leader.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
My research focuses on three main areas: Photovoltaics, Materials Synthesis, and Surface Engineering. In photovoltaics my work is focused on developing novel materials and approaches to making low cost photovoltaic devices, as well as exploring 3rd generation technologies. For materials synthesis, I am interested in quick, simple, syntheses of biologically or optoelectronically relevant materials, particulaly nanomaterials as well as the deposition of functional thin-films. In surface engineering my work focuses on the use of chemical and laser-based treatments to create novel nano- and microscale structures for different applications. Of particular interest are the generation of passive and active antimicrobial surfaces. Please see https://surfaces.chester.ac.uk/ for more information.