Leader in Integrated ICT Hardware & Systems
Together with sponsor Meta, Tyndall celebrates the winners and finalists of the 2021 Postgraduate Publication of the Year.
Despite the continuous pandemic challenges, our students once again showed outstanding discoveries and results as part of their PhD projects, some even opening major new possibilities in their field.
Dr Fatima Gunning, Head of Graduate Studies at Tyndall, praised the entries, saying: "Year on year our students really showcase their outstanding contributions to Tyndall’s Research Excellence through the Postgraduate Research Publication of Year competition. This time, we noticed new entries from students who started their research during pandemic and lockdowns, which were quite disruptive, but their perseverance, endurance and team support paid off with excellent results! Once again we saw early stage PhD students submitting their exceptional publications, so special awards as Rising Stars for 2nd and 3rd years were also included! Congratulations to all!"
Rising Star (Year 2)
“Equivalent Impedance Models for Electrochemical Nanosensor-Based Integrated System Design”
1. What encouraged you to submit your application to the 2021 Postgraduate Research Publication of the Year?
I started my PhD study in March 2020, but the first time I accessed my office desk, met my supervisor and colleagues in-person was in October 2021, 19 months later, because the city was locked down due to the Covid-19. Therefore, this is a good chance for me to showcase my research.
2. What inspired you to choose the subject of your paper?
My PhD project is all about CMOS integrated circuit design, specifically, research on designing a new generation electrochemical sensor interface. However, a correct understanding of the sensor model is the prerequisite for doing the job well. I noticed that there is no publication that provides the explanation to the sensor model which connects the electrochemistry and the electronic engineering as reference. This actually inspired us to undertake the research, hoping to contribute towards the sensor interface development.
3. What’s your paper about and how did you prepare for it? What role did research excellence play in your approach?
This paper is about understanding the electrochemical models. First, a brief review of the electrochemical sensor mechanism from a scientist’s perspective is presented. Then a general model which reflects a more realistic situation of nanosensors, is proposed from an electronics engineering point of view and a comparison between the Randle’s Model is given, with its application in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and general sensor design. Finally, with the help of the proposed equivalent model, a cohesive explanation of the scan rate of cyclic voltammetry is discussed. The information of this paper can contribute to enriching the knowledge of electrochemical sensor models for scientists and is also able to guide electronic engineers in designing next-generation sensor layouts.
4. The selection for Research Publication of the Year is extremely competitive. What is your advice for those aspiring for nomination next year?
I would suggest putting your publications forward for next year’s competition. It is not an easy job to get things published and this is a great opportunity to show your work, so why not?
5. What is the single most significant support Tyndall has been able to offer you in achieving your research goals? (Please provide any detail on additional supports that assisted? How has Tyndall enabled you to fulfil your potential in this regard?)
My supervisor Ivan O’ Connell, alongside my colleagues and team members, were the most significant supports and assistance throughout my research. Practically, the job was done under the circumstances where the city was completely locked down, which made things much harder. It is their generous, patient and kind support that helped me with this. In addition, Tyndall provides the IT support on preparing laptops and monitors for remote working and the HR department helped me on-board smoothly. I would like to show by best thanks to all of them.
Zhongzheng Wang; Aidan Murphy, Alan O’Riordan, and Ivan O’Connell, “Equivalent Impedance Models for Electrochemical Nanosensor-Based Integrated System Design”, MDPI – Sensors 21(9), 3259 (2021).