Masters by Research in Engineering- Recycling of cathode materials from Lithium-ion batteries

The scholarship covers: 

• Tuition fees.
• A monthly stipend (for up to 12 months) to cover living costs, including accommodation.
• Where applicable, accompanying child allowance for scholars consistent with UK visa requirements.
• IELTS exam fee (for scholars without a valid test of English).
• Return economy-class travel from home country to the UK.
• Visa and insurance/NHS surcharge costs.

Broad challenge

With the transition to zero emission being highest priority in the automotive and other industries, lithium-ion batteries are expected to continue to deliver a critical role in this transition. With the anticipated huge jump in number of lithium ion batteries necessary to achieve the net zero goal, a urgent emphasis has emerged on developing industrially significant processes for their recycling and reuse to enable the recovery of critical materials and value, whilst also minimising environmental impact.  

Whilst recycling routes exist for recovery of critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, copper and nickel exist, their application to battery recycling at scale is still in its early stages. Current focus looks to combine methods for safe deconstruction of battery modules and cells with current hydro and pyromettalurgical recovery. If cathode active materials can be recycled to their original structure rather than taking them to their precursor form, a higher value material, both in terms of environmental impact and economics, can be obtained and fed back into the battery manufacturing process. 

Methodology

This project will investigate the recycling of cathode active materials through new methods to enable their immediate reuse (as opposed to recycling to lower precursors). Black mass from end-of-life batteries will be provided through Industrial collaborators. The cathode materials will be collected and separated from black mass, with extensive testing to analyse composition, impurities, and elemental composition. The cathode active materials will then undergo chemical and thermal treatment under various conditions to restore their electrochemical performance. After full characterisation, the restored materials will be processed into electrodes and assembled into battery test cells to evaluate their energy storage capabilities and assess the impact and efficiency of the recycling process. 

Impact

Climate change and environmental sustainability is widely regarded as the most significant challenge of our generation. With the transition from fossil fuels to a sustainable electrified future, battery energy storage will play a critical role. With the increased utilisation of such technologies, an additional challenge presents in materials availability and recycling. This project will present a new route to a more sustainable battery manufacturing industry, with benefit in both social and environmental aspects, as reflected in the regulatory and policy principles regarding the recycle of EV batteries. Through efficient battery recycling it will help contribute to ensure our quality of life does not compromise the future of generations to come, through effective waste minimisation, reduced overall carbon footprint, and re-utilisation of materials.    

 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, you must: 

• Be a woman. 
• Be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries – Pakistan, India, Nepal. 
• Have submitted an application to study at Coventry University, for one of the six research projects, before your application for the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM can be considered. 
• Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at Coventry University by the time you submit your application and be able to start your postgraduate programme in September 2023. 
• Demonstrate a need for financial support.
• Have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK. 
• You must not be in receipt of financial support or funding towards your study programme in the UK from any other source. 
• Meet the English language requirement of Coventry University for research degrees.
• Indicate their preference for course and institution in the case of applying to multiple institutions. 
• You are required to show in your application that you are active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the programme area you are applying for. 
• You are willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education and returning your home country. Note: Students in receipt of British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM will not be eligible to apply to remain in the UK under the Graduate Immigration Route (GIR) visa scheme upon completion of their Master’s degree. 
• You must demonstrate in your application a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from your home country. 
• You agree that your personal data being shared with the British Council as a condition of applying for the bursary. 
• If you are awarded a scholarship, you agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK and engage with activities as part of a British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM alumnus during and after your study in the UK. Any involvement in these activities during your study in the UK will take up no more than five hours per term. 

You are NOT eligible for a British Council Scholarship if you: 

• Hold dual British citizenship. 
• Have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship or a UK institutional scholarship/financial bursary. 
• Are an employee, a former employee, or relative (*) of an employee of Her Majesty’s Government (including British Embassies/High Commissions; the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Department for International Trade; the Ministry of Defence; and the Home Office). 
• Are an employee, a former employee, or relative (*) of an employee of the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM – eligible countries. 

Entry criteria for applicants to MSc/MA by Research

• Minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average 
• An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English.