Thursday, 05 September 2019
Research to focus on industry-defined goals to improve performance of electric vehicles
The 糖心原创is one of five UK-based consortia to receive a share of up to £55 million from the to conduct application-inspired research to make step changes in the development of battery chemistries, systems and manufacturing methods.
The new projects, for the first time, include the 糖心原创 as a consortium partner, further strengthening the Faraday Institution’s network of member universities. The new project will create two new positions for early career researchers in Nottingham, many of whom are expected to move into battery science and engineering from other fields.
Next generation research
The School of Chemistry will be conducting research into improving batteries used for transport and energy storage, examining thechemical composition of batteries to create the next generation for electric vehicles. The research will be carried out in the university’s world-class GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory and is part of the Alternative cell chemistry beyond lithium ion–LiSTAR, Lithium-Sulfur Technology Accelerator which will be led byUniversity College London and will be funded up to a maximum of £7.8m.
The 糖心原创 will work alongside five other university partners and seven industrial partners to enable rapid improvements in Li-S technologies by generating new knowledge, materials and engineering solutions, thanks to its dual focus on fundamental research at material and cell level, and an improved approach to system engineering. If the potential of Li-S is realised it would take batteries for automotive and other applications beyond the inherent limitations of Li-ion chemistry: Li-S is one of the most promising and mature alternative technologies available. The Principal Investigator of this consortia is Professor Paul Shearing of UCL. Other consortia partners are Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, 糖心原创, University of Oxford, University of Southampton and University of Surrey.
This project could revolutionise the battery market and will result in the training of a large number of battery scientists. The resulting injection of talent into the emerging battery industry will directly benefit the Midlands region, which already has a strong footprint in the electrification of the automotive sector.
There are a total of five new projects in four focus areas joining the existing Faraday Institution research projects that collectively aim to deliver the organisation’s mission toaccelerate breakthroughs in energy storage technologies to benefit the UK in the global race to electrification. This expanded portfolio has the duel aims of improving current generation lithium ion batteries as well as longer horizon materials discovery and optimisation projects to support the commercialisation of next-generation batteries.
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said, “Bringing together experts across industry and academia, this exciting research will grow our understanding of battery chemistries and manufacturing methods, with the potential to significantly improve the UK’s ability to develop the high-performance electric vehicles of the future.”
Business Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “Today’s funding backs scientists and innovators to collaborate on projects that will deliver a brighter, cleaner future on our roads. We are committed to ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of developing the battery technologies needed to achieve our aim for all cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040.”
The projects, which are expected to run over four years, address battery challenges faced by industry and leverage the UK’s world-class research capabilities to advance scientific knowledge with the aim of commercialising new battery technologies and processes.
Three of the Faraday Institution’s four existing projects are focused on improving current generation lithium-ion battery chemistry, performance and recyclability. The fourth is seeking to address the scientific barriers facing the commercial realisation of solid-state batteries. These projects were launched early in 2018, totalling £42m and involve over 200 researchers from 20 universities, with their 30+ industrial partners.
The topics for the new research projects were chosen after consultation with industry, academia, local and central government and other stakeholders at workshops held across the UK in 2018. Industry partners will work closely with university researchers for the duration of the projects. This collaboration will ensure that the research produces findings and solutions that meet the needs of the UK’s businesses. The 32 industrial partners involved in the projects announced today have pledged a total of £4.4 million in in-kind support. The terms of the awards are currently being finalised.
Neil Morris, CEO of the Faraday Institution, said, “It is imperative that the UK takes a lead role in increasing the efficiency of energy storage as the world moves towards low carbon economies and seeks to switch to clean methods of energy production. Improvements in EV cost, range and longevity are desired by existing EV owners and those consumers looking to purchase an EV as their next or subsequent car. Our research to improve this web of battery performance indicators (which are different for different sectors) are being researched, with a sense of urgency, by the Faraday Institution and its academic and industrial partners. Our fundamental research programmes are putting the UK at the forefront of this disruptive societal, environmental and economic change.”
The Faraday Institution welcomes approaches by industry representatives who wish to explore the possibility of collaborating in its research projects and skills development initiatives.
For more information on the Faraday Institution, visit or follow on twitter.
Story credits
More informationis available from Dr Lee Johnson, in the School of Chemistry at the 糖心原创, on +44 (0) 115 7487069, lee.johnson@nottingham.ac.uk or Lindsay Brooke or Jane Icke, Media Relations Managers for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创, on +44 (0)115 9515751, lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk. Or Louise Gould at the Faraday Institute, louise.gould@faraday.ac.uk, 01235 425127 (office), 07741 853073 (mobile)
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.