Intercollegiate Platform on Powder-Based Synthesis and Modelling
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Powder-Based Processing and Modelling is an enabling fundamental research theme in Materials, encompassing applications in nanotechnologies, electronics, energy and biotechnologies. This Platform Grant aims to further advance our innovative processing techniques in powder ink-jet, electrohydrodynamic jetting, filament freeforming, and dry-powder dispensing, with high-throughput capabilities for materials discovery; and apply such techniques to clean energy generation / storage and to biomaterials /structures. Multiscale materials modelling techniques will continue to be developed and applied for the design and development of materials structures and systems for such applications. This intercollegiate collaborative research platform will consolidate the integration of research strengths in powder processing and modelling from both QMUL and UCL for much added value. It will also enhance our international stance and recognition in the research theme, and facilitate strategic changes of our research, directing them into tangible applications towards energy, security, and biomaterials, some of the pressing challenges of our age. Specifically, we have identified ways of refining the resolution of dry powder dispensing in solid freeforming by ultrasonic actuation and laser guidance and in filamentary solid freeforming methods by extrusion through <50 nanometer dia dies and by electrohydrodynamic jetting, micro-threading and electrospinning of ceramics. We are now running a working thick-film combinatorial robot for ceramics. We will apply these techniques to biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and maxillofacial scaffold construction; to clean energy technologies including electrodes for biofuel cells, novel structures for high capacity and heat-management in hydrogen storage, photoelectrocatalysis, and THz energy-efficient metamaterials. These represent some of the priority research themes of our time, where the proposed platform programme in highly innovative areas of powder processing can make significant contributions.
Organisations
Publications
Aguey-Zinsou KF
(2007)
Reaction paths between LiNH2 and LiH with effects of nitrides.
in The journal of physical chemistry. B
Ares J
(2009)
Hydrogen Absorption/Desorption Mechanism in Potassium Alanate (KAlH 4 ) and Enhancement by TiCl 3 Doping
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Catlow CR
(2010)
Advances in computational studies of energy materials.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Cazorla C
(2010)
First-principles study of the stability of calcium-decorated carbon nanostructures
in Physical Review B
Cazorla C
(2011)
Calcium-Based Functionalization of Carbon Materials for CO 2 Capture: A First-Principles Computational Study
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Chai G
(2017)
Active sites engineering leads to exceptional ORR and OER bifunctionality in P,N Co-doped graphene frameworks
in Energy & Environmental Science
Gao L
(2008)
Size- and charge-dependent geometric and electronic structures of Bi n (Bi(-)n) clusters (n=2-13) by first-principles simulations.
in The Journal of chemical physics
Guo Z
(2008)
Materials challenges for hydrogen storage
in Journal of the European Ceramic Society
He G
(2016)
A Targeted Functional Design for Highly Efficient and Stable Cathodes for Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries
in Advanced Functional Materials
| Description | The platform grant enabled collaborative development of power-based technologies for biomedical, energy and environmental applications. We have co-developed inject-printing techniques for biomaterials and scaffold, functional catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells and for selective sorption of CO2, and other types of impurity molecules in fuel gases. The platform grant also enabled us to secure several other consortium grants to develop further applied technologies. |
| Exploitation Route | Relevant research findings have been published in relevant journals for the benefit of the wide academic and industrial community. Specific materials and synthesis approaches have been taken onboard and further tailored for other types of applications, such as battery electrodes and photocatalytic electrodes. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Energy Environment Healthcare Transport |
| Description | The platform grant is instrumental to the development of several patents and processes for the synthesis of effective storage systems for hydrogen energy carrier, and for the establishment of a novel electrodynamic cone-jet spraying technique. The grant has also led to several consortium awards in relation to effective applications of functional power synthesis and applications. |
| Sector | Energy,Healthcare,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Expert Advisor to Chinese Acadmy of Sciences |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | Advice on CAS strategic programmes and assessment of large consortium grant applications. |
| Description | UK Focal-Point on Nano and Materials Science with China |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | UK Focal-Point on Nano and Materials Science with China, appointed by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), 2009-2012: Promote strategic UK-China collaborations in the subject area. |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £1,580,881 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G061785/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2009 |
| End | 09/2013 |
| Title | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION AND STORAGE |
| Description | The present invention relates to a material system comprising a solid ammonium halide and a further reactant, a device comprising the same and methods for producing and storing hydrogen. |
| IP Reference | WO2010136774 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2010 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The discovery had led to considerable research interest in the hydrogen storage system in many laboratories world-wide. |