PhD in Nanotechnology on advanced large-scale energy storage technologies

Advances in energy storage solutions are key for enabling a more sustainable future so that renewable energy generations methods, which are intermittent in their delivery, can replace non-renewable forms of energy. One method by which this can be achieved is by adopting large-scale battery technologies.
Roll-to-roll processing forms the basis of current battery manufacture, such as in the case of Li-on batteries, controlling the deposition of anode and cathode layers. Advances in processing, in terms of both methodology and formulations, would open new opportunities for better performance and adoption of a wider range of electroactive materials including solid state electrolytes. This will be coupled with novel curing techniques that have the potential to greatly reduce processing time and efficiency.
The PhD project will offer the unique opportunity to explore the application of a range of deposition and rapid curing methods for thin film energy storage solutions, so that new electrode and solid electrolyte materials can be formulated, accurately deposited and electrochemically characterised; with new thin film energy systems offering enhanced performance and rapidity of processing.
The PhD will be closely aligned with the current EPSRC project named "A new concept for advanced large-scale energy storage: secondary batteries with seawater as open self-replenishing cathode" [EP/N013727/1]; an ambitious research project aimed at delivering a transformative technology for large-scale energy storage, exploiting a novel technology based on seawater as an open self-replenishing cathode in a hybrid system which is intermediate between a fuel cell and a secondary sodium-ion battery.
The College of Engineering at Swansea University is recognised as being a UK Top 10 Engineering Research University (REF 2014), benefiting from extensive facilities, research in battery technology and long established expertise in thin film processing.