High-Throughput Fabrication and Characterisation for Discovery of Novel Energy Materials
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Exeter
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Certainly, the most important factor needed for technological development and sustainable economic growth is the discovery and development of novel advanced functional materials. The discovery of new materials is also crucial to address today's global challenges in sustainable environment, clean energy production and storage. Efficient solar fuel (energy) production and electrochemical energy storage can only provide a sustainable pathway for true transformation to renewable energy from fossil fuel. The bottleneck which hindered this transformation is the unavailability of stable, inexpensive and highly efficient materials.
The universe of candidate materials is very vast and conventional approaches to materials discovery are not likely to yield breakthrough results on a short enough time scale. The novel and low cost high-throughput experimentation proposed in this transformative project aims to accelerate the rate of new materials discovery to develop innovative technologies for energy production, storage and environmental remediation (photocatalysis). In this transformative project, Fe-based binary metal oxide with structural formula ABO2, ABO3 ABO4 and AB2O4 (where A= Alkali, alkaline earth, transition, post-transition metals and lanthanoids while B=Fe) will be the target materials. The project aims to fabricate and screen more than 60 samples per week. The Fe-based binary metal oxide exists in a range of crystal structures (Delafossite, Perovskites, Cubic and Spinel) and has exciting properties such as stability, earth abundance, inexpensive, band structure, ease in band structure modification, structure dependent conductivity and fabrication by a range of state-of-the-art techniques which make them an ideal candidate to be explored as innovative energy materials in this project. The state of the art spray pyrolysis (SP) technique will be used to deposit thin film array of samples and electrochemical measurement has been chosen for speedy and easy evaluation of energy conversion, storage and photocatalytic applications of materials.
The ground-breaking nature of proposed project, which combines different elements of materials design, chemistry, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, photochemistry, reaction kinetics and device architecture is not limited to energy production, storage and environmental remediation (photocatalysis). The materials and methodology used in this transformative project, can be transferred to other fields such as sensors, photo-responsive switches, thermoelectric devices and electro-ceramics. Knowledge generation from this application-led project will have a significant economical and societal impact.
The universe of candidate materials is very vast and conventional approaches to materials discovery are not likely to yield breakthrough results on a short enough time scale. The novel and low cost high-throughput experimentation proposed in this transformative project aims to accelerate the rate of new materials discovery to develop innovative technologies for energy production, storage and environmental remediation (photocatalysis). In this transformative project, Fe-based binary metal oxide with structural formula ABO2, ABO3 ABO4 and AB2O4 (where A= Alkali, alkaline earth, transition, post-transition metals and lanthanoids while B=Fe) will be the target materials. The project aims to fabricate and screen more than 60 samples per week. The Fe-based binary metal oxide exists in a range of crystal structures (Delafossite, Perovskites, Cubic and Spinel) and has exciting properties such as stability, earth abundance, inexpensive, band structure, ease in band structure modification, structure dependent conductivity and fabrication by a range of state-of-the-art techniques which make them an ideal candidate to be explored as innovative energy materials in this project. The state of the art spray pyrolysis (SP) technique will be used to deposit thin film array of samples and electrochemical measurement has been chosen for speedy and easy evaluation of energy conversion, storage and photocatalytic applications of materials.
The ground-breaking nature of proposed project, which combines different elements of materials design, chemistry, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, photochemistry, reaction kinetics and device architecture is not limited to energy production, storage and environmental remediation (photocatalysis). The materials and methodology used in this transformative project, can be transferred to other fields such as sensors, photo-responsive switches, thermoelectric devices and electro-ceramics. Knowledge generation from this application-led project will have a significant economical and societal impact.
People |
ORCID iD |
| ASIF TAHIR (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Al-Fartoos MMR
(2023)
Advancing Thermoelectric Materials: A Comprehensive Review Exploring the Significance of One-Dimensional Nano Structuring.
in Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
Humayun M
(2021)
Plasmon Assisted Highly Efficient Visible Light Catalytic CO2 Reduction Over the Noble Metal Decorated Sr-Incorporated g-C3N4.
in Nano-micro letters
Khan N
(2021)
Structural Characteristics and Environmental Applications of Covalent Organic Frameworks
in Energies
Mohd Nasir S
(2021)
WTa 37 O 95.487 Nanocatalyst for Pollutant Degradation
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Nasri M
(2022)
Effect of MXene Loaded on g-C3N4 Photocatalyst for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
in Energies
Nundy S
(2022)
Development of Morphologically engineered Flower-like Hafnium-Doped ZnO with Experimental and DFT Validation for Low-Temperature and Ultrasensitive Detection of NOX Gas.
in Industrial & engineering chemistry research
Nundy S
(2022)
Bandgap Engineering in Novel Fluorite-Type Rare Earth High-Entropy Oxides (RE-HEOs) with Computational and Experimental Validation for Photocatalytic Water Splitting Applications
in Advanced Sustainable Systems
Nundy S
(2021)
Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aerogel: Efficient adsorbent for the elimination of antimony (III) and (V) from wastewater.
in Journal of hazardous materials
Roy A
(2022)
An optimal climate-adaptable hydrogel-filled smart window for the energy-saving built environment
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
| Description | The projects key aim of develop a selective and fast processing platform for efficient fabrication of materials was achieved by developing anagle based deposition of Materials using physical vapour deposition techniques. controlling the angle allow to control the morphology of deposited fi. The new method provide a excellent way to deposit 10 samples of 1cm x 2cm and a scale up sample of 20 cm x 20 cm. Based of the work done on this project an application was made to University of Exeter Core Equipment Award 2022 and successfully awarded £129000 to develop high throughput Sono-Cell SNR300 coating system. |
| Exploitation Route | The postdoc working on this project was able to secure job in industry as industry was interested depositing catalyst materials for hydrogen production. |
| Sectors | Education,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | The project has lead to scientific advances in developing new materials including CdO-Decked a-Fe2O3 , TiVO4, MoS2, and CuBi2O4 with angled PVD fabrication technique which have substantial impact on academics working on advancing energy conversion, energy storage and environment remediation. The results of this work has been disseminated through high impact international journals and presentations at national and international conferences. Inspiring young students as future engineers: according to office of national statics 2015, Camborne, Pool and Redruth southwest of Cornwall is one of the poorest areas in the UK and more than 70% parents of school students has not been to university education. To highlight the importance of higher education and research an initiative "FRESH and HEALTHY ELECTRICITY from FRUIT; build your own solar cell" has been developed with Camborne Science and International Academy (CSIA) and its STEM subject focused Nexus campus. To inspire young students as well as to encourage women in engineering the activity is delivered as particle workshop on making solar cell and career in research lecture series. The postdoc working on the project move career to industry based on the expertise and skills developed while working on project. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Education,Energy,Environment |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Core Equipment Award 2022 |
| Amount | £866,726 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/X035069/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2022 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | Royce Materials Challenge Accelerator Programme |
| Amount | £78,402 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MCAP072 |
| Organisation | Henry Royce Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2023 |
| End | 05/2023 |
| Description | UK-Saudi Challenge Fund 2022 |
| Amount | £42,200 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Department | College of Engineering, Mathematics & Physical Sciences |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2022 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with KFUPM Saudi Arabia |
| Organisation | King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Visiting mutual institutes, student exchanges, |
| Collaborator Contribution | supported by instrumentation, writing joint articles, and proposals |
| Impact | Laser-based solar cells scheme set up -that includes the concept of beam splitting to utilize maximum sunlight for producing high efficiency - prototype model. ? The outcome is the resolution to the final research question by presenting key findings from the research. Students identify the target audience for their Research Outcome and consider the value of their research to this audience. ? This should be for extensive studies of the proposed work that provide a concrete strength, adding dedicated research instrumentations and quality knowledge exchange. ? Participating/ Leading (if required) University's outreach activity programs like Return to Research, Royal Cornwall Show, Falmouth Science Festival, ECR Festival etc. ? Continue to build transformative partnerships that build on our traditional strengths and explore new domains and translational opportunities at the boundaries of our current areas of expertise - Publications/Patents |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Aspiring Engineers talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Aspiring Medics and Aspiring Engineers Programmes girls from Year 10 - 13 was held in Truro High School, where I was invited to give a talk on Biomimicry in engineering and Physical Science, to provide valuable insights into the professions, and help our girls consider possible career options for the future and to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers, scientists, medics and allied health professionals among our girls! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interactive workshop session with Truro High School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Interactive session with Truro High school girls from year 8 & 9 pupils from across Cornwall on 23rd June for annual INWED event. The main activity involved enthusiasm and keenness to interact with the students and encourage them to get involved with science and engineering. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | International Women in Engineering Day INWED21 event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation competition of the International Women in Engineering Day (INWED21) event! Among many presenters, I obtained First Prize in the competition. The event was organized to encourage women in science and engineering. The topic of my presentation was the Employment of 3-D hierarchical nanostructured pure and doped Metal Oxides: Gas Sensors and anti-soiling coatings for solar applications. It attracted a lot of audiences due to the introduction of these novel materials for this kind of application. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invited Expert/lecturer; Winter school on Electrocatalysis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The main purpose oof Winter school on Electrocatalysis was to introduce researchers into the world of green electrochemistry with currently as hottest topic the recycling of CO2 through the electrochemical reduction into valuable chemicals. The other aspect was to introduce latest material development in green hydrogen production through electrocatalytic process. This topic also fits in the UK and European net zero strategy by 20250. Around 50 researchers including, ECRs, Ph D students has attended the winter school which sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the university of Antwerp reported increased interest in related design and development of materials for electrolysis for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/summer-winter-schools/electrocatalysis/ |
| Description | Keynote speaker; 1st International Conference Trends and Research in Chemistry (TRIC-2022) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | TRIC-2022 aim was a platform for scholars to learn from the valuable experience of leading scientists from all over the world in various areas of martial and Chemistry. The conference includes plenary talks, keynote addresses, invited talks and oral presentation. The conference provides a platform for academicians, practitioners and students for academic conversations and scholarly dialogues. Twenty-four keynote speakers participated from United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China and Pakistan. There were parallel sessions in which around forty researchers presented their research vision and outcomes. Rapidly developing covid-19 pandemic led to organize the conference virtually. Conference was be broadcasted live on internet via Google meet as well as on Facebook and YouTube. This international conference sparked questions and discussion afterwards on design and development of energy materials for improve building energy efficiency. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Pint of Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 59 people registred and I am willing to discuss my research findings with people in their local pubs, bar, cafe, or public space. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.com/ |
| Description | Plenary talk to (AN ONLINE) International Conference on Applied Chemistry (ICAC - 2021) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | ICAC 2021 was an important gathering organized by the Department of Applied Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan providing a podium for all chemists and material professionals. The main objective of the Applied Chemistry Conference is to supply a medium for international researchers from various chemistry areas, including Material Chemistry, Energy materials, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, gathered for evaluation of recent data and to share the latest evaluation regarding all aspects of material science and chemistry. Around 100 researcher including academics, postdocs, ECRs and Ph D and undergraduate students has this international conference which sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the Department of Applied Chemistry reported increased interest in related design and development of energy materials for improve building energy efficiency. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |