Large Scale Fabrication of Functionalised Carbon Nano-Materials

Perpetuus Carbon Technologies (PCT) is a Welsh company specialised in the fabrication at industrial scale of carbon nanostructures (carbon nanomaterials, graphene nanoplatelets) for a variety of industrial applications. These materials can be produced at the ton scale using cost effective and environmental procedures. Perpetuus produce a porous nanocarbon that displays a capacity of 50 farads per gram and therefore, has the potential to be included within both batteries and supercapacitor's that will provide enhanced capacitance when compared to other such components currently available in the global marketplace.

The overall aim of the project is to test functionalised carbon nanomaterials (graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes) as conductive material for application in the Energy sector, such as for batteries and supercapacitors. The as-developed carbon nanomaterials possess very high surface area and high electrical conductivity, which make them attractive as electrode material for batteries and supercapacitors.

The Research Engineer will:
- Identify and fabricate composite materials using these carbon nanostructures in combination with ionomers, using state-of-the-art coating processes available at Swansea University to print prototype batteries and supercapacitors; and
- Undertake electrochemical testing of the prototype materials (such as charge-discharge, capacitance, etc.) using modern electrochemical methods.

The Research Engineer will learn about the fabrication of the carbon nanostructures at the company, Perpetuus Carbon Technology, and the printing processes and the electrochemical characterisation will be performed at Swansea University.

The CDT will produce 50 graduates with doctoral level knowledge and research skills focussed on the development and manufacture of functional industrial coatings. Key impact areas are:

Knowledge
- The development of new products and processes to address real scientific challenges existing in industry and to transfer this knowledge into partnering companies. The CDT will enable rapid knowledge transfer between academia and industry due to the co-created projects and co-supervision.
- The creation of knowledge sharing network for partner companies created by the environment of the CDT.
- On average 2-3 publications per RE. Publications in high impact factor journals. The scientific scope of the CDT comprises a mixture of interdisciplinary areas and as such a breadth of knowledge can be generated through the CDT. Examples would include Photovoltaic coatings - Journal of Materials Chemistry A (IF 8.867) and Anti-corrosion Coatings - Corrosion Science (IF 5.245), Progress in Organic Coatings (IF 2.903)
- REs will disseminate knowledge at leading conferences e.g. Materials Research Society (MRS), Meetings of the Electrochemical Society, and through trade associations and Institutes representing the coatings sector.
- A bespoke training package on the formulation, function, use, degradation and end of life that will embed the latest research and will be available to industry partners for employees to attend as CPD and for other PGRs demonstrating added value from the CDT environment.

Wealth Creation
- Value added products and processes created through the CDT will generate benefits for Industrial partners and supply chains helping to build a productive nation.
- Employment of graduates into industry will transfer their knowledge and skills into businesses enabling innovation within these companies.
- Swansea University will support potential spin out companies where appropriate through its dedicated EU funded commercialisation project, Agor IP.

Environment and society
- Functionalised surfaces can potentially improve human health through anti-microbial surfaces for health care infrastructure and treatment of water using photocatalytic coatings.
- Functionalised energy generation coatings will contribute towards national strategies regarding clean and secure energy.
- Responsible research and innovation is an overarching theme of the CDT with materials sustainability, ethics, energy and end of life considered throughout the development of new coatings and processes. Thus, REs will be trained to approach all future problems with this mind set.
- Outreach is a critical element of the training programme (for example, a module delivered by the Ri on public engagement) and our REs will have skills that enable the dissemination of their knowledge to wide audiences thus generating interest in science and engineering and the benefits that investments can bring.

People
- Highly employable doctoral gradates with a holistic knowledge of functional coatings manufacture who can make an immediate impact in industry or academia.
- The REs will have transferable skills that are pertinent across multiple sectors.
- The CDT will develop ethically aware engineers with sustainability embed throughout their training
- The promotion of equality, diversity and inclusivity within our cohorts through CDT and University wide initiatives.
- The development of alumni networks to grow new opportunities for our CDT and provide REs with mentors.