Energy Storage

Energy Storage

Theme Leader

Harry Hoster

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Research Areas

This theme involves rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers, and power-to-gas technologies. Our research activities spread from fundamentals (atomistic modelling of electrodes) all the way to real-life (battery degradation) and larger-scale applications (Lancaster Hydrogen Hub).

Projects

LiNaMAN

In the LiNaMAN project, Lancaster University is working alongside LiNa Energy and the Centre for Process Innovation (National Formulation Centre) to take the LiNa cell concept and apply modern materials and process engineering to demonstrate successful operation. LiNa Energy Ltd is a Lancaster based micro SME that is founded upon a novel sodium cell which unlocks the high power/energy density potential of established battery chemistry whilst giving many additional product advantages such as vastly improved safety, rapid starting and reduced product complexity.

Partners

Multi-Scale Modelling of Lithium-Ion Batteries

In this consortium led by Imperial College, we work on three main tasks:

  • Visualisation and data management (VISDAM) (Denes Csala)
  • Atomistic modelling of phase transitions and how they appear in voltage/entropy profiles (Michael Mercer)
  • Lithium-Ion Battery Ageing: Observation, Explanation, Forecasting (Harry Hoster)

Partners

UK Niche Vehicle Battery Cell Supply Chain (Harry Hoster and Nuria Tapia Ruiz)

This project (led by AGM Batteries) will bring battery cell manufacture back to the UK. For that, we rely on one of the UK's strong existing manufacturing sectors: niche vehicles, also known as specialized vehicles. These are produced in smaller numbers as compared to passenger cars. UK companies producing these vehicles are thus having more difficulties sourcing cells on the global markets at affordable prices, given the general shortage of cell supplies. For a newly established UK cell manufacturing sector, this provides business opportunities with less price pressure and no tax barriers. Here, we bring together companies all the way from battery materials to vehicle manufacturers.

The Lancaster team oversees the problem of battery lifetime prediction and warranty assurance provision (see also project pozibot).

Partners

Theme Members

John Griffin

Professor John Griffin

Professor in Materials Chemistry

Analytical and Spectroscopy Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Inorganic Research group, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Samuel Jarvis

Dr Samuel Jarvis

Senior Lecturer in Nanoscale Materials Characterisation

Energy Lancaster, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Quantum Nanotechnology, Quantum Technology Centre

Andrew Kennedy

Professor Andrew Kennedy

Chair in Advanced Manufacturing, Head of Department

Materials Science Institute Member

D08, D - Floor, Engineering Building
Oleg Kolosov

Professor Oleg Kolosov SFHEA

Professor of Nanoscience

Centre for Biophotonics, Energy Lancaster, Quantum Nanotechnology, Quantum Technology Centre

+44 (0)7974 964414 A029, A - Floor, Physics Building
Colin Lambert

Professor Colin Lambert

Research Professor

Energy Lancaster, North West Nanoscience Doctoral Training Centre , Quantum Technology Centre, Theory of Molecular-Scale Transport

C016, C - Floor, Physics Building
Alastair Martin

Professor Alastair Martin

Professor Emeritus

Chemical Engineering Research Group

B11, B - Floor, Engineering Building
Stijn Mertens

Professor Stijn Mertens

Professor in Physical Electrochemistry

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Kathryn Toghill

Professor Kathryn Toghill

Professor in Sustainable Electrochemistry and Energy Materials

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, FST Sustainability Advisory Committee, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

B019, B - Floor, Chemistry Building
Abbie Trewin

Professor Abbie Trewin

Professor of Materials Chemistry

Chemical Theory and Computation , Chemical Theory and Computation Research Group, Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry