Philip Hands

Dr. Philip Hands is a Senior Lecturer in Electronics and Electrical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering, where he leads a research group focused on micro- and nano-scale engineering of electronic and photonic devices using soft materials like polymers and liquid crystals. His work bridges fundamental science and real-world applications, particularly in biomedical imaging and holographic displays.

Education: MSci and PhD in Physics from Durham University, followed by postdoctoral roles at Durham and Cambridge Universities. He co-founded a spin-out company before joining Edinburgh in 2012.

Research Interests: Liquid crystal lasers, flexible sensors, holographic technologies, nanophotonics, and medical devices. Notable projects include developing PressureCap for gastrointestinal pressure monitoring and tunable lasers for ophthalmic applications.

Publications highlight advancements in liquid crystal laser technology, including wavelength-tunable systems, biomedical applications, and sensor innovations. His work emphasizes commercialization pathways for photonics-based solutions.

Advising: Supervises research in optoelectronics and medical engineering. Active in developing interdisciplinary projects combining materials science with biomedical engineering.

Labs/Teams: Leads a research group at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on liquid crystal-based devices and nanophotonic systems.