Cohort 6 Research Projects

Connor Slater - Manufacturing of Lithium-Sulfur All-Solid-State Batteries with Graphene-reinforced Ionic-Electronic composites

Supervisor: Dr Chuan Cheng and Professor Mohamed Mamlouk

Next generation batteries must deliver higher energy density, improved safety, lower cost, and lower environmental impact than current technologies to reach future industrial demands. 

Lithium-Sulfur All-Solid-State-Batteries (Li-S ASSBs) are an ideal alternative chemistry for the advancement of battery technologies.

Li-S cathode offers a significant improvement in energy density due to Sulfur’s high theoretical specific energy; Sulfur is also a cheap and globally abundant material, ideal for sustainable scalability. 

Traditional all-solid-state batteries use a bare lithium metal foil anode, alternatively anode-free Li plating/stripping directly on the current collector boasts improved energy density by removing excess lithium.

Advances in Sulphide-Solid-Electrolytes (SSEs) have shown improved ion conductivity, functional temperature range and safety by replacing flammable liquids. 

Practical development for Li-S ASSBs is limited by problems such as Sulfur’s poor electrical conductivity and volume change during charging/discharging, non-uniform lithium formation in the anode, and lack of practical manufacturing techniques for mass production. 

This project aims to use graphene to enhance the strength and conductivity of the Sulfur cathode (allowing full access to the chemistry’s potential), combined with the use of SSEs, and to develop methods for an effective anode-free system.

This research will combine electrode processing, electrochemical testing, and advanced characterisation, with the goal of increasing utilisation and cyclability of this chemistry for mass production.

This project contributes to the growing field of sustainable energy storage and supports the UK’s goal of Net Zero by developing scalable manufacturing methods for safe, sustainable, high-performance batteries for use in EVs, aviation, and grid applications. 

Ellie Gibson - Novel Surface Functionalisation of Waste Timber Ash for Waste Valorisation & Dematerialisation

Supervisors: Dr James Railton & Dr Brabha Nagaratnam

This project will focus on the surface-functionalisation of waste timber ash with the aims to reduce hygroscopicity and maximise pozzolanic behaviour, culminating in the material being successfully incorporated into a cementitious system without compromising the strength of the final mortar. This project works with industrial producers of timber ash, aiming to develop a novel functionalisation chemistry that both; supports industry through reducing costs associated with the disposal of biomass waste and through dematerializing the construction industry in reducing the demand for virgin aggregates, crediting the industry’s carbon account in turn. The work will utilise systematic designs of experiment to ensure that it is a comprehensive study of the specific research area. All laboratory-based research will adhere to the principles of green chemistry as to promote sustainability throughout the entire functionalisation process as opposed to just the final material application. Although predominantly focussing on the development and scale-up of this novel chemistry, the project will be interdisciplinary, featuring elements of both civil engineering and life cycle assessment to compliment the final application of the material. Analysis will be carried out both on raw materials and final products using established characterisation techniques from both relevant disciplines, which may include the use of spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis, microscopy, mix design, particle size distribution and compressive strength testing.

Ellie Newton - Growing Rare Earth Elements in the Northeast (GREEN)

Supervisors: Dr Lucia Rodriguez Freire and Dr Shannon Flynn

One challenge for the UK to achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals is the absence of critical materials for renewable energy infrastructure, including the lack of primary rare earth element (REE) deposits. China accounts for about 70% of global REE mining and 90% of REE processing. Additionally, the current process of extracting REE from ores is energy and chemically intense with serious environmental implications. Research has shown that shales adjacent to coal beds often have significant REE enrichments and efforts have focused on utilising coal waste as REE sources. The UK has hundreds of millions of tons of coal mine waste. This project will repurpose mine waste as a local resource for critical minerals. After selecting sites, I will collect mine waste samples from several old coal mines in the Northeast and test them to measure REE concentrations, identifying variations in the amount and type of REEs across sites. I will then focus on samples from locations with the highest REE concentrations to investigate mineral associations. At this stage, I will conduct sequential extractions and leaching experiments to examine pH effects. I will also analyse the microbial communities in the waste samples. Next, I will set up plant growth experiments using the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula to determine whether they can grow in coal waste. After these experiments, I will measure REE accumulation in plant matter through digestion and analysis using techniques such as ICP-MS and XRF. Finally, I will run plant experiments with introduced microbial cultures known to form symbiotic relationships with the plants to assess whether they enhance REE uptake.

Frank Wigglesworth - Next Generation Wind Turbulence Modelling with AI Integration

Supervisors: Dr. Shaun Shen, Dr. Stephen McGough and Dr. Haimeng Wu

Wind energy is a critical factor in the effort to reduce carbon emissions and move towards the UK’s goal of Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050. Onshore and offshore turbines have seen a significant increase in both size and efficiency since their first deployment, with modern offshore wind turbines now exceeding 200m in height, more than four times the height of turbines seen in the 1990s when IEC 61400-1, the international standard for the design of wind energy generation systems, was first developed. With wind farms continuing to be developed and innovated, it is crucial that these modern turbines can withstand the environmental conditions they are subjected to and fulfil the predicted lifespan requirements.

The considerable increase in turbine height over the years presents a serious challenge for the existing models specified in IEC 61400-1 section 6 to predict the complex wind turbulence patterns observed. Factors such as increased wind velocity, wind shear profiles, and atmospheric stability all differ substantially from surface-layer conditions experienced by the 50m turbines used as a reference for the international standard, leading to up to 25% discrepancy in turbulence intensity calculations. 

This research aims to evaluate IEC 61400-1 section 6 turbulence model limitations through an integrated approach combining wind tunnel experimentation with AI-based modelling. The state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities simulate atmospheric boundary layer conditions, generating high-resolution turbulence data across the 50m-250m height range. Machine learning models are trained on this dataset to develop predictive correction frameworks capable of generating height-dependent adjustments. The developed corrections will be validated through computational fluid dynamics simulations.

Kyle Affleck - LCA Analysis of the Decommissioning of Photovoltaics

Supervisors: Professor Neil S. Beattie and Professor Vincent Barrioz

My PhD with ReNU⁺ focuses on assessing pre-existing and emerging photovoltaic (PV) technologies through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify and compare the environmental impacts they generate and offset throughout their lifespan. This includes all stages from raw material extraction to end-of-life, such as landfilling, repowering, repair, reuse, and recycling. The project integrates stochastic and deterministic statistical modelling to predict future PV waste streams and identify the most sustainable and circular methods for their management.

This research is driven by the global pursuit of Net-Zero by 2050, requiring a multi-TW scale of installed PV capacity worldwide. The UK alone is projected to provide around 90 GW of this total. While this rapid expansion is essential for decarbonisation, it poses a major challenge: the vast quantities of PV waste expected as existing modules reach the end of their lifespans. Many nations, including the UK, are expanding solar capacity without sufficient preparation for the environmental implications of this upcoming waste stream in 2030 as current installed modules meet their end-of-warranty lifetimes.

My project addresses this gap by offering data-driven insights into sustainable strategies for large-scale PV decommissioning. It compares multiple PV technologies to identify which best balance energy efficiency, environmental performance, and end-of-life sustainability. Beyond green-house-gases (GHG) emissions, it also evaluates other impact categories such as resource depletion, water use, toxicity, and ecosystem effects to prevent burden shifting between environmental domains.

Conducted in collaboration with Island Green Power (IGP), a leading solar farm developer, the project benefits from direct industrial engagement, ensuring its findings are both scientifically robust and practically applicable. Ultimately, the work will help prepare the UK—and other nations—for the large-scale decommissioning of PV modules expected from 2030, supporting a more sustainable and circular renewable energy future.

Marjorie Chamberlain - Investigate integration and scalability of sand thermal storage with renewable energy systems.

Supervisors : Professor James Martin and Dr Zi Qian

Renewable energy sources are inherently variable and often misaligned with demand, particularly for heat, which accounts for approximately 40% of total energy use in domestic and industrial settings. This project addresses the critical need to store thermal energy when it is available and release it when required, thereby bridging the gap between generation and consumption. By harnessing excess power or scavenged heat from renewable sources, the aim is to decarbonise heat provision across seasons.

The research seeks to identify a thermal storage solution that is sustainable, cost-effective, and simple to construct, operate, and maintain. Sand is a promising candidate due to its ability to store heat up to 600°C without degradation from thermal cycling. However, sand is a finite resource, heavily used in construction, with global extraction exceeding 50 billion tonnes annually. Therefore, the project will evaluate alternative materials with high specific heat capacity, resilience to thermal cycling, and long-term sustainability.

Simulation techniques will be used to optimise the design of the thermal storage vessel, determining feasible temperature ranges and storage durations. Laboratory experiments will validate the simulations, with results feeding back into iterative design improvements. A prototype system will be developed and deployed in collaboration with an industry partner, enabling real-world performance assessment and refinement of the design to identify practical limitations and scalability potential.

Morgan Rowlands - Computational and experimental study of novel materials for photoferroic applications.

Supervisors : Dr Nicholas Bristowe and Dr Emma McCabe

Photoferroics are an emerging class of photovoltaic systems that utilise ferroelectrics, materials which have a spontaneous and reversible polarisation, to generate a photocurrent. Due to a ferroelectric’s noncentrosymmetric nature, they can demonstrate the bulk photovoltaic efect, generating a potential diference from charge separation in a homogeneous structure without the need for a heterointerface between two materials. This makes them of particular interest compared to standard silicon-based photovoltaics as the diferent mechanism gives a potential route to exceed the theoretical Schottky-Queisser upper limit on device eficiency. So far, the use of photoferroics has been limited by their large band gaps preventing them from utilising the lower energies of visible light found in the Sun’s solar spectrum. Here so-called improper ferroelectrics show promise allowing for lower band gaps while still demonstrating the bulk photovoltaic efect. If such materials are chosen carefully there is a potential to outperform current solar cell devices.

This project will involve computational studies investigating the electronic structure and associated properties such as the band gap in materials of interest using Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations. The results of these DFT calculations will be used to synthesize target ferroelectrics with X-ray difraction measurements then taken as a means of verifying their structure. Additionally spectroscopic and photocurrent measurements aim to give an in depth understanding of the photovoltaic response of the materials. Over the course of the project, through this balance of computation and experiment, the aim is to develop a thorough understanding of a range of possible photoferroics that could then go on to be used directly within solar cells.

Peter Brown - High-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics for Offshore Renewable Energy Systems

Supervisors : Professor Emiliano Renzi and Dr Giacomo Roberti

My project involves creating high-fidelity numerical simulations of the environment experienced by wave-energy capture devices, such as the Blue Star device built by Mocean Energy and which has recently been deployed in the Orkney Islands for testing.

Using high-quality experimental and field data, I will validate the simulation parameters and then use these to explore the effects of different conditions on wave energy devices.

The simulation approach is a particle-based (meshfree) method called Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), a type of Lagrangian model for fluid dynamics. This is implemented in DualSPHysics, an existing mature software package with coupling to a physics engine that will enable the modelling of the complex geometry and movement of the wave capture device.

The aims of the project are to produce valuable analysis to the offshore renewable energy industry, including Mocean Energy, and to investigate the capacity of Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to accelerate the simulation time, for example by quickly extrapolating a higher-resolution simulation from the computationally expensive SPH simulation. This may enable future work to easily produce more detailed simulations, speeding up and reducing costs of future development.

Scott Evans - Novel Thermoelectric Materials and Devices for Heat Harvesting in Data Centres.

Supervisors : Professor Claudio Balocco and Dr Natasha Shirshova

This project addresses the use of thermoelectric devices to recover part of the energy dissipated by CPUs and GPUs, targeting primarily those used in data centres. Of particular interest are edge data centres, i.e., data centres located close to the users they serve, which are now emerging as a key enabler for the Internet of Things.

Data centres are increasingly consuming large amount of power, currently estimated to be responsible for 1% of global electricity consumption, with their forecasted annual energy consumption increasing to 35 TWh by 2050 in the UK alone. It is clear that the ability to recover even a small fraction of this energy will have significant environmental benefits.

The goal of this PhD is the fabrication of a functional thermoelectric energy harvester and to develop a manufacturing process within the cleanroom and other laboratories, using advanced processing techniques. The overall design will have a low carbon footprint, and it will be printable to reduce costs and increase device throughput. Once the first generation of devices is developed, a measurement campaign will determine the key performance metrics and inform changes for design optimisation.

Sophie Bull - Biorenewable Routes to Sustainable Liquid Fuels: Understanding Catalytic Alcohol to Alkene Conversion

Supervisors : Professor Phil Dyer and Dr Russell Taylor

The aviation industry accounts for roughly 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, hence, is a significant contributor to climate change, yet it cannot be decarbonised easily. Unlike motor transport, the aviation sector cannot adopt Li ion-battery or hydrogen fuel cell technologies due to their low energy-density. As such, the synthesis of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) as alternative drop-in fuels is a quickly evolving area of interest.

SAFs are drop-in replacement hydrocarbon fuels with carbon chains in the C8-C16 range, which are synthesised from appropriate renewable and sustainable biomass sources. This means that when SAFs are burned, the resulting CO2 emissions are countered by the CO2 absorbed by the biomass in its lifetime. This creates the potential for net zero air travel, and the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.

A particularly viable approach to SAFs manufacture is through fermentation of sugars derived from biomass, notably agricultural wastes, to produce alcohols. Subsequently, these alcohols can be converted to alkenes via dehydration. These alkenes are easily transformed precursors of SAFs. Here, we will undertake an in-depth study of bio-derived alcohol dehydration over porous oxide materials, focussing on the roles of water, carbon deposits, Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, and confinement effects. Studies will focus on butanol, a commercially available, fermentation-derived sustainable feedstock and its dehydration to butene (C4). This study will deliver catalyst structure/property correlations, including pore type, acidity, and reaction kinetics, as well as optimisation of reaction parameters using a range of spectroscopic and characterisation techniques. A series of catalysts will be investigated, including commercially available and modified zeolites, SAPOs, and AlPOs. Subsequent work will study the synthesis of higher molecular weight alcohols in the SAFs range, building on the catalysts designed in the initial butene to butanol experimentation.

Zahra Liravi - Mining Waste Repurposing for Photocatalytic Energy and Water Treatment

Supervisors: Professor Chris Greenwell and Dr Huashan Bao

Coal mining, metal mining and quarrying operations produce large quantities of mineral waste from overlying rock (overburden), from the separation of the ore mineral from host rock, and from water passing through the formation which collects dissolved metals that precipitate at the surface on contact with air. These waste minerals now present a disposal and remediation problem to society, especially where the problems are due to legacy mining operations. The waste minerals may also contain elements that were not used by industry while the mines operated, but which now have uses. In this project, an assemblage of mainly iron based waste minerals, collectively known as ochre, produced during treatment of coal and metal mine polluted water discharges, will be investigated for valorisation to produce photocatalysts, materials that use sunlight to become active to catalyse chemical reactions. Specifically, the project will study the use of ochre (obtained from mine water treatment schemes) in the degradation of organic molecule pollutants (e.g. pharmaceutical molecules within wastewater treatment plants), with the co-production of hydrogen for use in energy applications such as fuel cells. This aligns with the concept of a circular economy, and net zero waste, where materials that were once classified as waste are functionalised and used to convert other wastes into useful products. Ochre will be collected, and also synthesized in the laboratory, characterised in detail (using X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and infra-red spectroscopy) and used in photochemical reactors as a photocatalyst, optimising the process of degrading organic pollutant molecules and hydrogen production, with the products analysed by gas chromatography.