Developing next generation of Low Cost High Performance Alkaline Fuel Cells using anion exchange membrane and bio-fuels

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014) and an outstanding 66% of the work of Loughborough’s academic staff who were eligible to be submitted to the REF was judged as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, compared to a national average figure of 43%.

In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Project Detail:
Our overall aims of this project are to draw together the nascent work on new catalysts for both anode and cathode, membranes, Membrane-Electrode-Assembly and fuel cell stacks development in LU and UCL in order to determine the feasibility of formulating low cost and high performance (active and durable) membrane electrode assemblies for direct alkaline fuel cells accessing a wider range of liquid oxygenate fuels (in particular the biofuels). A key aspect of the research will be fundamental (both theoretical/DFT modelling and experimental), mechanistic studies of both anode and cathode in order to formulate a theoretical model to aid in the identification of high performance and low cost catalyst breakthrough for liquid fuel/biofuel oxidation and oxygen reduction under alkaline conditions.

Find out more:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/chemical/about/people/wen-fenglin/

Entry requirements:
Students will normally need to hold, or expect to gain, at least a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Materials or Chemical Engineering. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: electrochemistry, nano-materials synthesis and characterization, DFT atomistic modelling, fuel cells multi-scale modelling.

Funding information:
The studentship is for 4 years and is intended to start in October 2017. The studentship is part of the UK EPSRC CDT with integrated studies, where there are taught modules in the first two years in Science, Engineering, Energy, Fuel Cell technologies, team building as well as Business, Economics and Management. The studentship provides a stipend of £14,296 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. Due to funding restrictions, this is only available to those who are eligible to pay UK/EU fees. In order to qualify for a full award, all applicants must meet the EPSRC eligibility criteria including the minimum UK residency requirement https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/

Contact details:
Name: Prof. Wen-Feng Lin
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 222506.

How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under Programme Name, select ‘Chemical Engineering’

Please quote reference number: CG-WFL-1702

Application details:
Reference number: CG-WFL-1702
Start date: 1st October 2017
Closing date: 5 September 2017
Interview date: 12 September 2017

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Prof. Wen-Feng Lin
Secondary supervisors: Prof. Rui Chen, and Prof. Dan Brett (University College London)