The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities (ReNU)is a collaborative doctoral training programme run by the Universities of Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham. In addition to undertaking an individual scientific research project at one of the three partner Universities, doctoral candidates will engage with added value training opportunities, for example in business, innovation and internationalisation through a 4-year training programme that has been designed to maximise the benefits of a cohort approach to doctoral training. The start date is 1st October 2021.
The majority of commercial silicon anode products use a relatively low amount of silicon, in order to reduce the impact of the large volume expansion associated with its use. At higher silicon levels, volume expansion remains a problem, causing a drop off in battery performance and life. In order to take advantage of silicon’s high storage capacity for lithium, there is a requirement to improve stability, which may be done using new materials and/or through new production techniques.
As part of a collaboration with an international industrial partner (Applied Graphene Materials UK Ltd), the aim of this PhD project is to develop graphene-stabilized lithium-silicon battery systems for renewable energy technologies. It is anticipated that graphene stabilisation will be achieved via coating of silicon particles, where several approaches will be considered, including emulsion polymerisation and chemical vapour deposition techniques.
This project aims at improving the efficiency/stability of batteries using a cost-effective manufacturing approach to fabricate novel graphene/silicon composite anode materials with high-efficiency nanostructured heterogeneous design.
The successful candidate will be working with lithium ion batteries, ideally including experience of cell preparation, electrochemical characterization, microstructural analysis, surface science and cell degradation mechanisms. The candidate will be also be expected to work in a highly multidisciplinary collaborative team and has effective written and verbal communication skills. Frequent update reports to the industry partners will be required.
Applicants for this position should also have a solid footing in and passion for carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes, and an excellent knowledge of their applications within energy storage devices. Experience of preparing, developing and characterising dispersions of such materials would be highly desirable for this role.
Currently, a relatively large amount of intellectual property exists within the relatively narrow field of lithium-silicon batteries, and so a good knowledge of relevant IP within this field would also be beneficial.
This project is supervised by Prof. Ahmed Elmarakbi. For informal queries, please contact [Email Address Removed]
The application closing date is 19 August 2021. Please note that interviews, should they be arranged, will be online rather than in person due to COVID-19.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note that applications must include all of the following to be considered:
- A research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), and include the advert reference (e.g. ReNU21-R/…).
- You must upload with your application at least 2 reference letters
Deadline for applications: 19 August 2021
Start Date: 1 October 2021
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
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