Solid State Lithium Metal Batteries
In collaboration with Birmingham, Cambridge and Oxford
The development of safer batteries requires the implementation of solid electrolytes that are not flammable and have higher chemical and thermal stability. The use of solid electrolytes would also allow the incorporation of high capacity metal anodes and the use of high voltage cathodes, thus delivering higher energy and power densities. However, the integration of solid electrolytes with metal anodes is a significant challenge due to the instability of the dynamic solid/solid interface that leads to performance degradation and death of the cell due to dendrite formation.
Our research on solid state lithium metal batteries aims to define, tackle and solve the problems associated with the use of solid electrolytes in Li metal batteries. We investigate garnet type structures and study their interfacial reactivity with Li metal using a wide variety of techniques such as EIS, LEIS, SIMS, XPS, etc..
Our research on garnet type electrolytes is supported by the EPSRC grants
EP/P003532/1 and EP/R024006/1
Solid State Sodium Metal Batteries
In collaboration with Shell
As for lithium metal batteries, the development of sodium metal solid state batteries could have a great impact in the electrification of vehicles and a better understanding of the factors limiting their performances and applicability in commercial devices is of pivotal importance for their development. The aim of our research is to synthetise and investigate the chemical and electrochemical properties of NaSICON electrolytes by using a combination of surface analysis and electrochemical techniques.
Powering the Cities of the Future
As part of the European H2020 project Harverstore
Harvestore is a new European project for the development of beyond-state-of-the-art technologies in the field of Internet of Things.
Our “μ-harvestorers” will be able to collect and store energy from heat and light at the same time, in order to serve a whole family of new-generation portable devices. They will be powerful, small, and environmental friendly.
Our involvement in the project is to develop all-solid-state thin film micro-batteries in order to power the sensors and devices needed in the IoT.
More info can be found here http://www.harvestore.eu/
Extending Battery Life
As part of the degradation fast start project of the Faraday Institution
As part of the Faraday Institution, we are involved in the study of NMC cathode materials and their chemical and electrochemical degradation upon charge and discharge.
Our main goal is to investigate the degradation product using a combination of structural, microstructural and chemical analysis techniques in order to understand and prevent the factors limiting the use of NMC 811 in commercial systems.
Using isotopic labeling and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry we are aiming to understand how the NMC behaves upon electrochemical testing.
More info can be found here https://faraday.ac.uk/research/lithium-ion/extending-battery-life/
Thermo-chemical Water Splitting
Contributing to the hydrogen economy
Still work in progress for this section of the website!
Our thermochemical water splitting project involves the use of perovskites in order to produce hydrogen and contribute to a cleaner future.
Hi-5
Advanced in-operando surface Analysis
We are currently developing a word unique dynamic plasma FIB-SIMS which will allow us to investigate the chemical composition of materials with a unique resolution (spot size 25 nm!). The simultaneous dual detection of positive and negative ions makes the Hi-5 even more unique. The instrument is equipped with a pre-chamber for isotopic labeling and UHV electrical tips for in-operando measurements.
Please check the progresses of the Hi-5 in the news section of the website.
The development of Hi-5 has been possible thanks to the EPSRC grant EP/P029914/1