Li-ion Batteries; Recovery and Reconditioning

A fully funded 4-year Faraday Institution studentship (PhD) is available in the School of Metallurgy and Materials, at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Prof Emma Kendrick
This PhD forms part of an exciting large interdisciplinary project, Recycling of Li-Ion Batteries (ReLIB), funded by the Faraday Institution, a new £42 million initiative to accelerate the electric vehicle revolution by overcoming the related battery challenges. The project brings together researchers from seven universities across the UK in order to facilitate a circular economy in lithium ion batteries, tackling the most demanding technical challenges in sensing, gateway testing, sorting, re-use and recycling.
Researchers in fields such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science are working together in the areas of sensing/gateway batteries, vision recognition, artificial intelligence, autonomous robotic manipulation, magnetic/electrostatic sorting, chemical/metallurgical/pyrometallurgiucal extraction of metals, materials synthesis and characterisation, and economic modelling. They aim to find the most economically efficient and environmentally friendly methods to recycle and reuse Li-ion batteries and to advise on legislation and policies related to this.
This exciting PhD project will look at the electrochemical and chemical reconditioning of cells and electrodes. We will be working closely with the University of Newcastle and other researchers within Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. The project will look to determine what or if calendar aged cells can be recovered for use in alternative applications before recycling. The successful candidate will perform electrochemical and material analysis of the electrode materials from calendar aged cells, and use of electrochemical techniques to understand the electrode and cell properties. This pHD project will suit someone who has an enthusiasm and drive for research and is interested in battery and energy storage technologies. Some characterisation experience either materials or electrochemical would be useful but not essential as training and guidance in these techniques will be given.

Qualification
The candidate will have or expect at least a II(i) Undergraduate honours degree or Masters degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics or related discipline. A background in materials or electrochemistry would be advantageous.

Contact for further Information
Informal inquiries may be made to Prof Emma Kendrick ([Email Address Removed])
Applications must be made through the university’s on-line application system [https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/metallurgy-materials/phd/apply.aspx], please provide a cover letter summarising your research interests and suitability for the position; the contact details of two people able to provide a letter of reference; and a full curriculum vitae. Please also send a copy of your full application to Prof Kendrick directly.