UNICAS funded a project to develop new instrumentation for studying the fundamental chemistry limiting battery technology. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) is a powerful analytical technique, of which Nottingham has considerable expertise, allowing us to probe chemical reactions happening at a surface. A UNICAS sandpit initiated a new collaboration between experts in XPS, battery technology, electrochemistry and surface science where the long term goal was set to be able to study the degradation of electrodes in-situ in a functional battery. We were awarded approximately £10k to kick-start the development of a new sample environment for Nottingham’s “HIPPOLYTA” ambient pressure XPS facility and the project has successfully proven the feasibility of this type of measurement. This preliminary work has formed the basis of multiple further proposals, including for access to synchrotron radiation facilities and for high value grants to further develop our capabilities in Nottingham to achieve the ambitious aims of this project.
The collaboration started as a direct result of the UNICAS sandpit format whereby all attendees give a 1 minute overview of themselves and their research. I attended the sandpit with no preconceived project in mind, but took inspiration from Darren Walsh who introduced his electrochemistry research. It quickly transpired that we both had interest in uniting electrochemistry with XPS measurements. From these initial conversations we assembled a team of 6 people and developed the more specific research ambition that was ultimately funded by UNICAS. The application is a relatively straightforward process – it is short and focusses heavily on the science. Another aspect of the application is a costing of the project for which the referees asked me to supply a additional detail, which although I had calculated, I had originally not included in the application.
Being the PI of this project has been an invaluable experience in the context of my personal development where managing a collaboration spanning disciplines has been an exciting challenge. All sides have had to learn new scientific techniques and approaches - critically in terms of experimental realities and limitations. Further, the planned experiments also relied heavily on very specialist components, organising the procurement of which in the short timescale of the project (~6 months) was a formidable challenge! But regardless of the challenges, the project has led to both invited and contributed presentations at national and international conferences and given me the platform to establish myself in an emerging field. All of the collaborators involved in the project are very grateful for the UNICAS scheme as there is limited funding opportunities, especially as an early career researcher, for this type of high risk but potentially high impact science.