Loughborough University

Exploring Alkali Charge Carriers in Novel Devices through Advanced X-ray Spectroscopy

Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom

Course overview

Alkali metals are a vital component in many enabling technologies, such as battery and supercapacitor technologies. While lithium currently dominates these technologies it is unsustainable due to its rarity; potassium/sodium batteries represent a sustainable alternative and have recently gained increasing attention.1 Given these batteries are in their relative infancy, there is significant scope for development of new cathode materials. This self-funded project will use the power of advanced X-ray spectroscopic techniques to understand how the abundant alkali elements can be used to make effective energy storage materials.

Utilising these techniques will enable us to directly monitor the charge carriers local structure during function. With this understanding, we will design catalysts that fully harness the potential alkali species to make a real contribution to creating a more sustainable world. As part of our team, with expert supervisors in catalyst design (Dr Simon Kondrat at Loughborough University) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at Diamond Light Source you will make, test, and characterise alkali battery/ supercapacitors.

Specially, you will explore Prussian Blue, layered alpha nickel hydroxide and activated carbon materials. During the project you will design manufacture and commissioning bespoke X-ray spectroscopy reactor cell, which will be used to characterise alkali under reaction conditions. You will have the opportunity to building skills in inorganic and physical chemistry, applied and sustainable energy storage and advanced X-ray characterisation techniques.

We are a community based on mutual support and collaboration. Through our Doctoral College there are continual opportunities for building important research skills and networking among your peers and research academics. 94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

REF 2021

Key highlights

  • Research sustainable potassium and sodium batteries as alternatives to lithium
  • Make, test and characterise alkali batteries and supercapacitors
  • Explore Prussian Blue, alpha nickel hydroxide and activated carbon materials
  • Design and commission a bespoke X-ray spectroscopy reactor cell
  • Expert supervision in catalyst design and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at Diamond Light Source
  • Doctoral College offers research skills training and networking opportunities

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:1 — 2:1

Scholarships

  • Alumni Bursary

    10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

    Up to 10% of fees

  • Alumni Discount

    UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.

  • Care Leaver's Scholarship

  • Excellence Scholarships

    UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

  • International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary

    Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).

    Up to £12,000

  • London 10th Anniversary Award

    £5,000 off tuition fees.

    Up to £5,000

  • Loughborough Business School Scholarship

    £1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

  • MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship

    50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

    Up to 50% of fees

  • Qatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship

Careers this course leads to

  • Battery research scientist
  • Energy storage materials scientist
  • Postdoctoral research associate
  • Synchrotron beamline scientist
  • Electrochemist
  • Materials characterisation scientist

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £29,500

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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