Sarah-Jane Potts

What is your current job / programme of study?

Scale up Technology Transfer Fellow for Specific IKC, Swansea University

What A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do?

Maths, Physics, Art (and English As Level)

Why did you choose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)?

It allowed me to combine my interest in science, maths and design to develop, test and improve a range of products that can help to improve the world we live in.

What did you enjoy most about your MSE course? (If you didn’t do a MSE course which course did you do and what led to you MSE?)

I did an undergraduate Masters Degree (MEng) in Product Design Engineering which had some MSE modules, I particularly enjoyed learning about polymers and rheology (flow of non-Newtonian fluids). This led me to pursuing a Materials Engineering Doctorate on screen-printed electronics.

What is your research about?

My research is on developing printed electronics, including screen-printed solar panels which I am working to make larger, more sustainable, and longer lasting.

What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?

I designed and built my own equipment which allowed a scientific breakthrough in understanding how inks flow in screen printing. This has enabled me to improve the performance of printed electronic devices.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

Trying to become a great lecturer.

What is your favourite material (and why)?

Silicon dioxide as I love crystals, particularly Amethyst!

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?

Have more faith in your abilities and don’t be so worried about pursuing a less trodden path