Recent Additions to the EDC
Browse details of new data, projects and publications added to the EDC
21/08/2024
2 new projects added
GRN: EP/Z000483/1
Period: 05/08/2024 to 04/08/2029
Funding Source: EPSRC
This project will construct a new transmission electron microscope (TEM) platform for operando electrochemical imaging, designed to identify electrochemical processes at unprecedented spatial resolution while operating under application-relevant conditions.Better batteries and electrocatalysts are essential for realising a sustainable future. Yet the complexity of their electrochemistry - with intertwined dependence on side-reactions, valence evolution, structural changes, and more - cannot be predicted just by modelling. Peering inside an operating cell will reveal these processes directly, enabling the informed design of future energy materials. Resolving many of these critical aspects still reside beyond the resolution limits of current in-situ characterisation methods.The core objectives of AIDEChem are: (i) To develop a new graphene-enabled electrochemical cell that will grant a unique high-resolution TEM imaging and spectroscopy capability for probing electrochemistry in-situ. (ii) To reveal previously inaccessible processes occurring in candidate electrochemical systems, including batteries and electrocatalysts, at ground-breaking resolutions.The new platform will be used to expose the nanoscale dynamics that govern electrochemical nucleation of nanostructures, epitaxial electrodeposition, nanobubble deactivation of electrodes, and electrocatalyst evolution; electrochemistry that is largely inaccessible with current in-situ microscopy technology. With the new technical capability realised in this platform, AIDEChem will provide the insights that are mandatory for the informed design of effective electrochemical energy materials, optimally tailored for the desired application. Delivery of AIDEChem will be possible due to the PI's combination of research skills - encompassing in-situ TEM, nanoscale device fabrication, 2D materials, and electrochemistry - and the TEM, nanofabrication, and electrochemistry facilities at Warwick University
GRN: EP/Y034732/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/09/2032
Funding Source: EPSRC
The pace of deployment of offshore wind (OW) energy is rapidly accelerating to power the transition to net zero. The UK government aims to increase from the current 14GW of offshore wind to at least 50GW by 2030, requiring c£17bn investment per year, then 120-170GW by 2050, to provide clean energy resilience. Despite the remarkable success of OW over the past decade, making it a central component of the UK energy mix, future growth brings new challenges. Deployment must now expand beyond the relatively benign, shallow waters of the southern North Sea to sites further from shore, a fundamentally different engineering, operating and natural environment. In such areas the two-way effects of new OW engineering on the marine biosphere and concomitant impact on other sea users are poorly understood.Beyond technical challenges, a major barrier to rapid deployment is consenting time. The Government aim to reduce typical consent time from 4 years to 1 year by 2030 is only achievable if new approaches to data collection, aggregation and modelling are validated and adopted. The volume and speed of deployment must increase 6-fold, while remaining commercially competitive, requiring industrialisation of manufacturing and installation while ensuring that materials (such as rare earth metals, copper, composites) and other resources (including energy) are used sustainably. The OW workforce will reach >100,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030, with >8,000 projected at HE Level 7+. To achieve and sustain this, the workforce must be drawn from a diverse talent pool and be built on equitable, inclusive cultures where safety and wellbeing are central. The sector OW Industry Council (OWIC) recognises that increasing growth, and UK supply chain content, requires a highly skilled and resilient workforce and highlights the key role of CDT programmes in providing this.The previous EPSRC-NERC Aura CDT in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment (Aura CDT I) successfully demonstrated the value of OW research and training at the interface of engineering and environmental sciences. Sustainable sector growth now requires further research that integrates emergent social, societal and economic challenges of OW energy. Thus, the proposed UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience (Aura CDT II), provides integrated solutions across the EPSRC/NERC/ESRC remit. These transdisciplinary sector needs are co-identified by key sector stakeholders, including Aura CDT project partners OWIC, ORE Catapult, The Crown Estate, Renewable UK and DEFRA. Direct industry engagement has co-created five Aura CDT II challenge-based themes to: push the frontiers of offshore wind technology; accelerate consent and support environmental sustainability; achieve a sustainable wind farm life cycle; build and support a sustainable workforce; and develop a resilient net-zero energy system. The importance of these themes to the sector is demonstrated by the cash and in-kind support of >40 project partners, allowing us to support >75 CDT students.The CDT connects the University of Hull with partner Universities Sheffield, Durham and Loughborough. PL Dorrell (Director of Aura CDT I) is supported by nine CLs from the partner universities and a pool of >100 diverse supervisors bringing world leading expertise in the areas of engineering, environment and social sciences required to support the training and research elements. Both full and part time students will receive postgraduate training delivered collaboratively through an intensive 6-month multidisciplinary programme at Hull and subsequent courses, with all partners, addressing topics including leadership, public engagement, responsible innovation and EDIW. Small clusters of doctoral students will link expertise from across the four universities and industry partners to provide holistic insights into sector challenges while building cross-cohort collaboration and multiplying impacts.
14/08/2024
5 new projects added
GRN: EP/Y008235/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Achieving a low-carbon green footprint is currently one of the most urgent tasks in developing new ICT technologies, as energy required for the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI), Internet-of-things (IoT), and next generations of mobile communications (6G) is skyrocketing. This is because the traditional von Neumann systems and CMOS technologies constantly need to shuttle massive amount of data between the physically-separated memory and processor units, hence consumes huge amounts of energy and data bandwidth for AI applications. Energy demand for mobile communication is also expected to increase exponentially, which needs to be substantially reduced for the 6G era.In contrast to the conventional device technologies, memristors exhibit a programmable resistance with non-volatile memory and their memory market value has exceeded $621 million in 2021. Recent studies have shown that novel 2D memristive devices may also be exploited with significant advantages of 10,000x less energy consumption, both as synapse and neuron for advanced non-von Neumann AI computation and as RF switches for 6G mobile communication.Our first demonstration in 2018 of non-volatile resistive switching (NVRS) in monolayer MoS2 and h-BN made a disruptive progress by substantially reducing the interelectrode distance to sub-nanometers and resulting in the thinnest memory cells with smaller switching voltages (~300 mV) and prospects of orders higher energy efficiency and density than existing memristors. We have since expanded the collection of two-dimensional (2D) atomic sheets showing NVRS to a dozen materials, indicating its potential universality in ultrathin non-metallic 2D materials for applications including high-density memory, neuromorphic computing, flexible nanoelectronics, and tera-hertz radio-frequency (RF) switches. The semiconductor industry can considerably benefit from the broad portfolio of 2D materials to advance electron devices, especially memory devices that is currently one of the key technology drivers.One of the biggest challenges with atomic memristors is endurance. Typical values are less than 1000 cycles of resistance switching. This is reminiscent of the early days of oxide memristors. This challenge requires a rigorous experimental materials design and measurement study to gain operational insights that can translate to better engineered memristor devices (defects, interfaces, fields, etc.) and tailored testing protocol for orders of magnitude improved endurance.We will achieve this ambitious goal through understanding the ageing, fatigue and degradation mechanisms in atomic memristors (atomristor) by using in-operando atomic resolution multi-probe scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) and developing novel electrical test protocols and characterization techniques, to provide the foundational knowledge for endurance improvement. We will also explore the use of interfacial layers and asymmetric electrodes as a novel degree of freedom that can control or impede the mobility of defects and result in more stable multi-level resistive switching. High-performance computing and communication devices such as synapses for neuromorphic computing, and zero-power non-volatile switches for 6G communication will be demonstrated. This project will lay the foundations for a new paradigm of deployable atomristors ubiquitously towards ultra-low energy AI and 6G systems with unprecedented efficiency and scalability.
GRN: EP/Y035801/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/03/2033
Funding Source: EPSRC
"Semiconductors" are synonymous with "Silicon Chips". After all Silicon supported computing technologies in the 20th century. But Silicon is reaching fundamental limits and already many of the technologies we now take for granted are only possible because of Compound Semiconductors (CS). These include The Internet, Smart Phones, GPS and Energy efficient LED lighting!CSs are also at the heart of most of the new technologies expected in the next few years including 6G wireless, ultra-high speed optical fibre connectivity, LIDAR for autonomous vehicles, high voltage switching for electric vehicles, the IoT and high capacity data storage. CSs also offer huge opportunities for energy efficiency and net zero.CSs are often made in small quantities and using bespoke techniques and manufacturers have had to put together functions by assembling discrete devices. But this is expensive and for many of the new applications scale-up and integration, along the lines of the Silicon Chip, are neededCDT research will involve the science of large scale CS manufacturing, manufacturing integrated CS on Silicon and applying the manufacturing approaches of Silicon to CS; it will generate novel integrated functionality and all with an emphasis on finding environmentally sustainable manufacturing methods.CIVIC PRIORITY: This CDT is a fundamental part of the strategic development of the CS Cluster centred in South Wales, and in linking it to activity across the UK. It is part of a wider training strategy including apprenticeships, MScs and CPD, to train and upskill the entire workforce. The latest skills requirements have been identified by partner companies and through working with Welsh Government, CSconnected and the CS Applications CatapultThe partners support the CDT financially and with their time. This is because the limiting factor to rapid cluster growth is skilled people. The expected PhD level jobs increase for the existing cluster companies alone would mop up all the students trained by this CDT. We provide a £2k stipend top-up to maximise recruitment from all backgrounds.However, the CDT does more - clusters are about cross-fertilisation of people and ideas and the CDT combines academics from 4 universities with leading and complementary expertise in CS. We form teams of two academics from different universities, one industry supervisor and the PhD student to create and carry out each PhD. The CDT also ensures the whole cohort regularly works together to exchange new knowledge and ideas and maintain breadth for each student.The UK and Welsh administrations see CS as an opportunity to boost the economy with high technology jobs and the UK government uses the CDT as part of its pitch to overseas companies to locate here.APPROACH and OUTCOMES: a 1+3 program where Year 1 (Y1) is based in Cardiff, with provision via taught lectures and transferable skills training, hands on and in-depth practical training and workshops led by University and Industry Partner staff. Following requests from Y2-4 students the industry workshops are presented in hybrid format so all Y2-4 students can further benefit from this program and where we now cycle presenters, companies and specific topics over 3 years.A dedicated training clean room allows rapid practical progress in a supportive environment, learning from doing, experts and the rest of the cohort and then an industry facing cleanroom, co-located with industry staff and manufacturing scale equipment, where students learn the future CS manufacturing skills. This maximises exchange of ideas, techniques and approach and the potential for exploitation. Both students and industry partners have praised the practical skills this produces. Y2-Y4 consist of an in depth PhD project, co-created with industry and hosted at one of the 4 universities, and specialised whole cohort training and events, including energy audit, research ethics and innovative outreac
GRN: EP/Z002524/1
Period: 01/08/2024 to 31/07/2025
Funding Source: EPSRC
Background and Motivation:Our project aims to innovate the production of high-quality soft magnetic materials (Fe-Si alloys) with increased silicon content (up to 6.5%). Soft magnetic materials are vital in various electrical devices, including as motor cores in generators and motors. With increasing electrification, demand for efficient materials grows, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs). However, current production methods face limitations in silicon content due to processing difficulties, and state-of-the-art technologies are expensive hindering the take-up of higher silicon materials.Our project targets this challenge by exploring innovative manufacturing approaches. This advancement in soft magnetic materials will reduce core-losses, and will enable more economical energy-efficient motors thus supporting the global shift towards renewable energy and net-zero emissions. The development of 6.5% silicon electrical steels is an objective of the APC automotive roadmap to reduce the weight of electric vehicles and to extend range / reduce battery size for electric vehicles in line with the UK governments' strategy for low emission road transport.Research Hypothesis and Objectives:We aim to develop cost-effective soft magnetic materials through two approaches: the Spray Lamination Process (SLP) and the High Silicon Process (HSP). The target is to achieve an 80% cost reduction compared to current state-of-the-art methods, while maintaining at least 80% peak efficiency These methods involve thermal spray coating technologies together with diffusion annealing to achieve high silicon content. This will be developed at the level of a single laminate, multiple laminates and final as a proof-of-concept core which will all be tested for magentic and mechanical properties.Outcomes of Programme:The project addresses current manufacturing limitations, making high-silicon materials economically viable for broader applications, especially in EVs. Successful implementation could lead to significant advancements in energy efficiency and sustainability across industries. Technical risks are mitigated through systematic experimentation and analysis. The project's transformative potential lies in its contribution to reducing energy consumption, enhancing motor efficiency, and facilitating material recycling. Ultimately, this investment could revitalize soft magnetic material manufacturing in the UK, bolstering its position in the EV supply chain and fostering export opportunities. Overall, our project aims to revolutionize the production of soft magnetic materials, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable electrical devices, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle market
GRN: EP/Z533221/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2029
Funding Source: EPSRC
Our vision for the TransiT Hub is to harness the transformative power of Digital Twinning, and associated digital technologies, to solve the most pressing problems of our age - the rapid and radical decarbonisation of transport , holistically, across all modes - Road, Rail, Air and Maritime, and at a national scale. The TransiT Hub will create a new interdisciplinary challenge-led national digital twinning capability to deliver scalable solutions of the integration and decarbonisation of transport, providing the thought leadership and coordination it requires. This is an urgent response to the climate emergency that will advance understanding of a complex and adaptive system, reducing uncertainty and risk for time-critical investments into sustainable, ethical and affordable decarbonisation. It will be centred on expert problem articulation of the challenges, ensuring planners, operators, and policy makers, will use this new capability to deliver national transformation and realise good climate, economic and social outcomes across the stakeholder community, as well as providing a blueprint for other sectors. While past approaches utilised small-scale, real-world trials and progressive scale-up, the need for rapid transition to a low-carbon economy, combined with the increasingly complex interaction between transport modes precludes this approach. This situation is currently holding back private and public investment and risking the UK's leadership in tackling climate change. Scalable digital twinning offers a way of quickly assessing and narrowing the decarbonisation options for the complex whole transport system.To realise our vision we will co-create 9 Federated Transport Digital Twins across modes and passenger/freight types, culminating in a Federated Transport System of Systems (FTSoS). These FTDTs will use novel capabilities to support the design, development, delivery and operation of a reliable, secure, resilient, inclusive, decarbonised transport system at lowest cost and delivering best value. We will use an active and agile learning-by-doing approach, that can adjust to stakeholders, withstand scrutiny, and feedback new knowledge to the next iteration.The creation of the FTSoS will address a new paradigm of Whole System Digital Twinning - bringing together, coordinating and extending existing DTs in the sector, delivering capabilities currently unachievable within siloed mode specific DTs. Our approach addresses the challenges in interoperability, security and resilience, human-centred design, data management, policy delivery, and new business models, whilst leveraging existing DTs, and Cyber Physical Infrastructure, and growing national digital twinning expertise and capability. This will be shared with, and benefit from, wider national DT programmes, including NDTP and Energy System DT (ENSIGN), and other strategic investments such as DARE and the EPSRC Transport DT Network+, as well as linking with representative bodies and collaborations such as DfT's TRIB and the DT Hub. The Hub will bring together seven distinguished higher education institutions, UofG, HW, UoL, UoB, CU, UoC and UCL that reflect a careful balance across modelling transport modes and the cross cutting themes essential for federated digital twinning including human factors, cyber security, connectivity, policy, economics, and digital twinning tools. Furthermore, significant in kind support has been committed by external partners across government and industry partners, including the Department for Transport and over 40 organisations across the transport sector. Our foundational work will be explored through application focused use cases developed with our industrial and academic partners providing practical anchoring of the research; knowledge transfer through bi-directional secondments and the generation of evidence to support robust polic
GRN: EP/Y036506/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2028
Funding Source: EPSRC
Competitive cycling is a sport where marginal gains in speed and endurance are sought. With aerodynamic drag accounting for over 90% of resistance that a cyclist encounters over a levelled surface, cycling leans heavily on optimised posture and superior design of helmet, bike and clothing, which can often prove to make the difference between winning and losing.The flow field around a paddling cyclist is very complex. It is highly three-dimensional and dominated by separated flow. It is also unsteady due to the paddling motion of the rider. Furthermore, the subtle effect of clothing fit/texture as well as the environmental flow field conditions, such as turbulent atmospheric boundary layer that exhibits gusty wind profiles during a time trial and the turbulent wakes of other riders, can have a significant impact on the rider aerodynamics and hence the racing performance. Such a complex flow is difficult to predict accurately using computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and it is not well understood. The most effective method to optimise a cyclist's aerodynamic performance to date has largely been through a trial-and-error approach to force measurements in a wind tunnel.To ensure the continuous successes of the GB Cycling Team in increasingly more competitive international contests, a specialist wind tunnel focusing on studies of Human-flow Interactions (HFI) has been installed at the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance adjacent to the National Cycling Centre. The tunnel became operational in October 2022 and has been used by British Cycling to complement their human performance training on racing tracks since.To enable the GB Cycling Team to continue staying ahead of the game, it is crucial to decode the impact of body shape, posture and motion as well as the effect of clothing fit/texture and environmental flow conditions on athlete performance. In this project, the University of Manchester (UoM) will work in partnership with UK Sports Institute (UKSI) and British Cycling (BC) to equip the HFI tunnel with enhanced aerodynamic testing capabilities and the state-of-the-art measurement and computational equipment. The upgrade will be the catalyst for a new level of detailed analysis in human-flow interaction, incorporating novel aerodynamic measurement capabilities, integrated biometrics and 4D scanning for image-based analysis and flow simulation. It will also ensure that the operational range and relevance of this facility will extend beyond cycling, to aerodynamic aspects of other sports and, more broadly, to human-factor aerodynamics. The research will further strengthen this unique regional facility to deliver new scientific insights and opportunities to UK Sport's celebrated 'Marginal Gains' strategy, with potential to enable record-breaking results in international contest.A management board with members from both UoM and BC will support the project team to deliver the upgrade and ensure accordance with EPSRC/NWTF usage objectives and BC's performance goals. The amount of in-kind contributions from both UoM and UKSI/BC to support the upgrade and the operation of the facility is substantial during and beyond the grant period of four years. This reflects the strong commitment of both the host institution and the project partners to this project and also ensures a better value for money for the infrastructure investment from the UKRI.
31/07/2024
2 new projects added
GRN: EP/Y034864/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/03/2033
Funding Source: EPSRC
Photonics has moved from a niche industry to being embedded in the majority of deployed systems, spanning sensing, biomedical devices and advanced manufacturing, through communications, ranging from chip-to-chip and wireless access to transcontinental scale, to display technologies, bringing higher resolution, lower energy operation and new ways of human-machine interaction. Its combination with electronics enables the Digital Future.The Government's UK Semiconductor Strategy and UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy both recognise the need for highly trained people to lead developments in these technology areas, the Semiconductor Strategy referring explicitly to the role of CDTs in filling the current shortage of highly trained researchers. Our proposed CDT has been designed to meet this need.Currently manufactured systems are realised by combining separately developed photonics, electronic and wireless components. This approach is labour intensive and requires many electrical interconnects as well as optical alignment on the micron scale. Devices are optimised separately and then brought together to meet systems specifications. Such an approach, although it has delivered remarkable results, not least the communications systems upon which the internet and our Digital Future depends, limits the benefits that could come from systems-led co-design and the development of technologies for seamless integration of photonics, electronics and wireless. Our proposed CDT aims to provide multi-disciplinary training enabling researchers to create the optimally integrated, energy efficient, systems of the future.To realise such integrated systems requires researchers who have not only deep understanding of their specialist area, but also an excellent understanding across this interdisciplinary area ranging across the fields of photonics, electronics and wireless, hardware and software.We aim to meet this important need by building upon the uniqueness and extent of the Cambridge and UCL research programmes, where activities range across materials for future systems; higher levels of electronic, photonic and wireless integration; the convergence of wireless and optical communication systems; combined quantum and classical communication systems; the application of THz and optical low-latency connections in data centres; techniques for high capacity access networks; the substitution of many conventional illumination products with photonic light sources and extensive application of photonics in medical diagnostics and personalised medicine. Future systems will increasingly rely on more advanced systems integration, and so the CDT supervisor team includes experts in electronic circuits, wireless systems and enabling software. By drawing these complementary activities together it is proposed to develop an advanced training programme to equip the next generation of very high calibre doctoral students with the required technical expertise, RRI, ES, commercial and business skills to enable the > £24 billion annual turnover UK electronics and photonics manufacturing industry to create the optimised, closely integrated systems of the future. The PES CDT will provide a wide range of learning methods for research students, well beyond that conventionally available, so that they can gain the required skills. In addition to conventional lectures and seminars, for example, there will be bespoke experimental coursework activities, educational retreats, reading clubs, road-mapping activities, RRI and ES studies, secondments to companies and other research laboratories and business and entrepreneurship courses. Students trained by the CDT will be equipped to expand the range of applications into which these technologies are deployed in key sectors of the Digital Futures and wider economy, such as communications, industrial manufacturing, consumer electronics, data processing, defence, energy, engineering, security and medicine
GRN: EP/Y013646/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
This project will pioneer a new and highly efficient approach to the generation of hydrogen by combining heterojunction photocatalysts into Z-scheme arrangements. This will allow for the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen, using sunlight as the energy source, with an order of magnitude improvement over current state of the art photosystems. This "solar" hydrogen can be stored and subsequently used as a fuel or in fertiliser production, and is a sustainable and decarbonised source of hydrogen - in contrast to current production which requires natural gas.The impact of a source of sustainable hydrogen can be considered from several viewpoints. Energy storage is a key challenge as the UK switches to predominant use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and away from natural gas and other fossil fuels. Conventional solar panels have a mismatch between winter electricity demand and generation biased towards the summer. In contrast, direct solar water splitting provides a complimentary class of solar energy, at lower cost, where the hydrogen can be stored during high production periods before conversion to electricity on demand when renewable energy supply is low. Hydrogen is also a valuable commodity chemical in its own right, for example in the production of ammonia for fertilisers. The ability to produce hydrogen using solar energy, and decrease dependence on natural gas, is a key component in tackling climate change while also enhancing energy security - which directly affects national security as recent events have shown.Large scale pilot studies have confirmed that photocatalytic systems can achieve complete water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen, but have not yet breached the 0.5% solar to hydrogen (StH) efficiency needed for the energy breakeven point, and are far from the ultimate target of 10% StH necessary for commercially viable 'green hydrogen' production. Our project will take the next steps needed to achieve this target.In photocatalysis, energy from sunlight is used to generate high energy electrons in the catalyst, leaving behind holes. These high energy electrons then drive the water splitting reactions at the surface of the catalyst. In order to achieve high efficiency, the photocatalyst must be able absorb a large fraction of the solar spectrum, prevent the electrons from recombining with their holes, and finally still maintain sufficient energy or overpotential to catalyse water splitting. We propose to combine two research strands to produce a new type of photosystem which can meet all three of these criteria. The first strand is the recent work on heterojunction photocatalysts. These are composed of particles of two different materials which allow for effective separation of the electron from the hole by trapping these in different parts of the catalyst, but which by themselves lack sufficient overpotential to carry out complete water splitting. The second strand is the work on 'Z-schemes' in which separate photocatalysts are used to maximise overpotential, by having an excited election transfer from one material to another to be 'boosted' by a second photon to a higher energy level to achieve water splitting. However, in Z-schemes the transfer process is slow, allowing time for recombination of the electrons and holes, reducing efficiency.We propose that by combining the heterojunction photocatalysts in a Z-scheme arrangement, it will be possible to create a photosystem that finally meet all three challenges. The heterojunctions will supress recombination, the Z-scheme will allow for large overpotential, and the system can make use of visible light absorbers to maximise solar energy uptake. We believe that because of the recent developments in visible light active heterojunctions, Z-scheme photosystems and demonstration of scale up, the time is now ripe to combine these research threads into a single photocatalytic system to achieve high efficiency water splitting.
24/07/2024
13 new projects added
GRN: EP/X03884X/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2028
Funding Source: EPSRC
Metal manufacturing is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions and if carbon neutrality is to be achieved by 2050, we critically need to transition to more sustainable processes. In this project we address the underlying science and understanding to allow a higher utilisation of low embedded-carbon, higher impurity recycled metal as a feedstock for metal manufacturing.Current manufacturing approaches are highly dependent on energy-intensive primary metal as they rely on tightly controlled compositions with very low impurity contents to provide the required materials properties. We believe that the new understanding needed to provide transformative and efficient methods to manufacture high grade metal alloys using a much higher fraction of lower embedded-carbon recycled material as a feedstock can be delivered by leveraging the combined power of multi-modal X-ray imaging and in-line artificial intelligence.We will develop a new wholistic characterisation system comprising both newly developed hardware and AI algorithms named Artificial Intelligence X-ray Imaging (AIXI) as an intelligent tool to investigate the solidification of impurity-rich alloys in experimental conditions comparable to those found in industrial processes such as continuous casting, direct chill casting, shape casting and additive manufacturing for a wide range of aluminium and steel alloy compositions.AIXI will provide a significant advantage over existing approaches as AI will be embedded in the data acquisition system and used to interpret raw data in real-time, drastically reducing the complexity and time required for data analysis and significantly increasing the analytical power of the system. The new knowledge will allow us to finally understand the role that impurities and minor alloy additions play in the developing solidification microstructure, and to develop methodologies to mitigate their deleterious effects. It will also promote a shift to a more holistic approach for alloy design in which the solidification microstructure is engineered to both provide enhanced properties and to facilitate subsequent downstream processes with minimised environmental impact.The newly acquired knowledge will foster the development of science for `sustainable' alloys, which will: enhance metal recyclability by reducing the need for dilution of recycled scrap with energy intensive primary metal; encourage greater use of lower-grade scrap, widely available in the UK but currently exported; decrease the number of downstream processing steps (process intensification), especially heat treatment practices; simplify component recoverability by reducing the reliance on tight compositions specifications; and enhance materials properties by improving control over the final microstructure. We will uncover and apply the missing science to control phase transformations to create more benign and impurity tolerant microstructures and allow more efficient use of expensive and potentially scarce alloy additions, which will substantially cut resource use in the CO2-intensive metal industries. Furthermore, we envisage that the application of the developed hardware/AI analysis could potentially facilitate rapid scientific development in many fields of materials science and beyond where efficient, rapid collection and analysis of complex and large multi-modal datasets is critical to unlock the necessary understanding
GRN: EP/Z003040/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Global energy consumption is rapidly increasing, primarily driven by the extensive use of fossil fuels, whose combustion contributes to climate change - a serious concern in today's society. Consequently, a paradigm shift within the chemical industry is essential to reach sustainable green energy production. Two promising alternatives facilitated by catalysis are water oxidation (R1), in which water is transformed into oxygen and energy-rich hydrogen gas that emits no environmentally malign substances upon combustion, and carbon dioxide reduction (R2), in which CO2 is transformed into valuable chemicals that do not contribute to global warming. While transition metal (TM) catalysts facilitating these reactions have been discovered, their industrial-scale application has not been achieved, due to the lack of optimal catalysts. Common catalyst design approaches often rely on time-consuming trial-and-error experimentation, seldom affording truly optimal catalysts. Instead, CompCatSEA proposes a novel and innovative approach, in which computations guide experiments, facilitating the rational design of novel catalysts for sustainable energy applications. This will be achieved through the development of general and accessible computational frameworks that integrate quantum chemical calculations and machine learning methods, enabling a deeper understanding of the underlying reaction pathways and structure-activity relationships in catalysis. These tools will be used in CompCatSEA to explore catalyst candidates for R1 and R2. The outcomes of this work are anticipated to have far-reaching impact on catalyst research in academia and industry by accelerating both scientific catalyst discovery and industrial catalyst development. Altogether, CompCatSEA will equip BBS with a highly competitive multidisciplinary profile by complementing his previously acquired skills, putting him in a strong position to start his career as an independent and innovative principal investigator
GRN: EP/Y034767/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/09/2033
Funding Source: EPSRC
Since the advent of numerical weather prediction in the early twentieth century, physics driven computational modelling has gone from strength to strength, underpinning much of the modern world, from the design of new bridges and buildings that can withstand earthquakes, to the aerodynamic optimisation of airplanes and the simulation of materials for batteries underpinning the electric car revolution. But physics based models alone have limits in what they can do. From high dimensional control problems to multiscale fluid flow, there are many important systems where conventional discretise-and-solve approaches remain permanently out reach. In other important systems, we have no physical models at all (in natural language processing and many other areas). In these data based approaches we have seen tremendous advances over the last decade, exemplified by the deep learning revolution. There is a now a growing consensus that computational models of tomorrow will consist of combinations of physics and data driven approaches and should not be viewed separately from each other.There is one more missing ingredient, attaining increasing recognition by research labs across the world, namely research software engineering. Traditionally seen as a professional service to support the implementation of computational models, research software engineering now emerges as an equal academic pillar to computational mathematics and data driven approaches. Software design, and hardware limitations, inform and shape the design of computational methods. Researchers need to take a holistic view across computational modelling and software engineering to create truly innovative solutions to the truly challenging problems from digital twins in personal medicine to simulating and mitigating the effects of climate change.This CDT has been designed around the need to train graduates across the interfaces of physics and data driven computational modelling and research software engineering. Our trainees will be able to engage with challenging problems not only from a modelling perspective but also from a software perspective, moving fluently across modelling and research software engineering.The subsequent urgent need for training in research software engineering at the highest level is also increasingly recognised by research centres across the world. We have partnered with a number of institutions in this proposal who follow this vision. In the UK this has been recently exemplified by the Independent Review of the Future of Compute, which recognised the importance of pairing infrastructure investments with skills programmes, and the importance of creating, attracting and retaining world class compute talent. Paired with an innovative training programme around interface working groups and software projects, our graduates will participate in and shape world leading research across the mathematics of data enhanced computational modelling, the design of corresponding computational algorithms, scientific research software engineering, and domain specific applications
GRN: EP/Y036409/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
The project aims to develop a Laboratory that will house Flow Facilities with Refractive-Index-Matched Solution (FoRMS lab). The lab comprises of two recirculating fluid flow loops designed to carry out experiments by matching the refractive index of the fluid with that of clear-solid models. Typically, laser diagnostics provides full-field information in areas of a flow where there is optical access. However, it is impossible to gain optical access in most complex flows where the important information is near the surface, within the substrate or is obscured by the model. This inaccessibility can be solved by matching the refractive index of the solid to the fluid, which allows access to laser-based flow diagnostics techniques like particle image velocimetry (PIV) and obtaining full-flow field data in previously inaccessible locations. We aim to use to Sodium Iodide salt solution that has the same refractive index as most PMMA. Therefore, models made from acrylic/perspex etc as well as silicone elastomers will have the same index of refraction as the fluid. These materials are ideal for rapid manufacture of model using a combination of 3D printing as well as casting and moulding techniques. We will be able to carry out high-fidelity experiments where new full-field velocity information can be obtained in complex flows that enables using transition to a data-driven modelling paradigm that has remained elusive for these complex flows
GRN: EP/Z000661/1
Period: 20/06/2024 to 19/06/2029
Funding Source: EPSRC
This project aims to generate novel insights into the social, spatial and political inequalities that underpin energy-related injustices and struggles, with a geographical focus on the Western Balkans. It does so by uncovering the relationships between gender and energy poverty - a condition characterized by the inability to secure adequate levels of energy services in the home. GENERATE posits that gendered experiences and contestations of energy poverty represent a form of precarity, and as such shape energy frontiers - understood as marginal(ized) sites of encounter between different forms of energy production and consumption. In foregrounding hitherto 'hidden' processes relating to, and emanating from, the domestic domain, the project seeks to transform understandings of energy circulations in society more broadly.To date, work on the gender dimensions of energy poverty has tended to focus on the Global South, alongside treating the home and household in descriptive and monolithic terms. Very little is known how geographically and politically peripheral forms of energy use across the Global North and East both shape, and are shaped by, precarious practice. GENERATE responds to these challenges by developing a conceptual framework that places the homes and communities at the heart of the energy frontier. It analyses statistical data on energy and gender at multiple levels, in addition to developing an in-depth comparative case study approach in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This includes a combination of household and institutional ethnographies, as well as a social innovation labs approach. Given the highly topical nature of energy poverty alleviation efforts in Europe and the world - not the least due to the rising imperatives of climate change and social inequality - the project is expected to result in policy-relevant insights relevant to the work of multiple global, national and local organizations.
GRN: EP/Y036468/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
The LFT facility is dedicated to the fundamental study of the flow modes initiated by instabilities (or flow bifurcations) and their chaotic dynamics and interaction. It is designed to explore the wake of three-dimensional streamlined and bluff geometries relevant to the transportation industry from the laminar flow regime up to the turbulent regime. The LFT addresses theoretical knowledge about stability and nonlinear dynamics of wake flows of most vehicles, but not precisely at the engineering scale where turbulent modelling implies less rigorous theoretical background. It will provide flow data comparable to computation obtained with Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) around complex three-dimensional geometries to achieve alternative and complimentary fundamental understanding. The experimental data will serve as benchmark to validate theoretical stability analyses predictions, such as full base or bifurcated flow solutions made available with open access to be tested by theoreticians' teams across the UK and beyond. In addition to an experimental tool to improve theoretical approaches on wake flow stabilities, the vision is that "why and how" the wake dynamical modes develop in vehicles wake is the key ingredient to initiate further efficient control strategies to improve their aerodynamics at the engineering scale
GRN: EP/Y036476/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/12/2028
Funding Source: EPSRC
This research comprises two strands: the creation of a unique tire spray rig and a world leading experimental database of NWTF aerodynamic research data.The first strand will allow real sensors from road vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to be tested in water sprays from rotating car wheels. In wet conditions there can be a significant reduction in visibility caused by the spray from other vehicles. Whilst this is dangerous to the human driver, it can become critical for ADAS systems and could constrain the future operational use of full Autonomous Driving Systems. It is not only obscuration that is problematic, an ADAS sensor that 'imagines' a vehicle due to the density of spray and initiates emergency breaking could also cause unnecessary accidents. Understanding the limits of such systems in adverse weather conditions is vital in the development process so that appropriate mitigation actions can be taken.The Experimental Database strand creates a digital infrastructure to ensure that expensive and time-consuming aerodynamic tests can be fully exploited by the user community. It builds upon and complements the existing EPSRC NWTF network grant with the ambition of creating a world leading portal to access high quality aerodynamics data. It will also create two reference models and test across a number of UK low speed wind tunnels to assess their strengths and weaknesses.
GRN: EP/Y03645X/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2029
Funding Source: EPSRC
The EPSRC National Wind Tunnel Facility (NWTF) is focused on providing access to world class and unique wind tunnels for UK academia and industry. Since 2012, NWTF has provided a distributed network of large scale and well instrumented facilities to the benefit of UK Aerodynamics sector. Support from RCUK has ensured that the aerospace sector has continued to thrive, but a decade later, new wind tunnels are required to ensure the UK has future-proofed capabilities which match the changing technology, environmental conditions, and sovereign requirements of this highly innovative sector.To this end, the present application proposes the invention and development of three new wind tunnels at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute (OTI).1. The Icing at Altitude Tunnel allows ice accretion conditions for aircraft and aero-engines to be replicated. Both climate change and technology introduced for ultraefficient aero-engines have made current and planned engines more susceptible to glaciated ice ingestion than ever before. A range of fundamental research questions, addressing the complexity arising from combined heat transfer to accretion and shedding phenomena, need to be answered. The industry also suffers from a paucity of robust instruments capable of detecting ice at flight conditions. Furthermore, high TRL testing and the evaluation of components which need to meet certification requirements is also required. The proposed tunnel will match reduced pressure conditions of civil aircraft, flow speeds, humidity and injection of both super-cooled liquid water and ice crystals. This tunnel will be a first for the UK, where icing conditions can only be currently replicated at unrepresentative sea level conditions.2. The Hypersonics Quiet Tunnel will replicate the low-noise (low turbulence) environment found in flight for high speed vehicles, such as re-entry space craft or hypersonic passenger planes of the future. Knowledge here is important due to the increased heating and shear stress once a boundary layer transitions. This process can only be replicating in a low noise wind tunnel. The implementation requires appropriate settling chambers and nozzle bleed system to ensure the quiet operation. The proposed tunnel will operate from Mach 5 to 7 with a test component size of approximately 300 mm. This will be the first hypersonic quiet tunnel in Europe.3. The LH2 Enabled Wind Tunnel will enable research into heat exchanger and thermal system performance using a selection of relevant heat transfer fluids, as well as cryogenic liquids including liquid hydrogen. This will enable research for aerospace technologies relevant to thermal systems for battery, hybrid, fuel cell and liquid hydrogen aircraft propulsion system envisioned for sustainable aviation. The facility will be a European first and will include a large test section (approximately 0.5m x 0.5m) capable of running continuously at Mach 0.5 - 0.6 able to test full engine and airframe thermal system components at engine scale.
GRN: EP/Y036484/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2030
Funding Source: EPSRC
NWTF is a distributed facility with the hub at Imperial College and facilities spread across UK universities (nodes) at: Bristol, Birmingham, City, Cranfield, Cambridge, Glasgow, Imperial, Manchester, Loughborough, Oxford, Southampton and Surrey. A novel facility from a new member at the University of Liverpool is included in these proposals. NWTF membership depends on the institutional commitment to support its facilities, its research priorities and co-location of an active research group with the facility. It is not fixed, and membership can reflect any changes to node activity such as low usage or personnel change over a period of some years. Each NWTF+ of the seven proposals describes the motivation for new facilities to be built - one proposal for each cost centre. This proposal contains justifications for the MSBS (at Oxford and Imperial), the NWTF hub (Imperial) plus those for transformational equipment at the other six NWTF institutions.MSBS offer an unrivalled opportunity for making sting-free measurements of time-dependent forces acting on aerodynamic models. Except for the usual challenges associated with Reynolds-number dependence, an MSBS offers the best way of estimating forces on engineering bodies as in 'flight', such as submarines, UAVs and re-entry space capsules. Often such bodies operate in a mixed ballistic / aerodynamically assisted regime. The understanding of the fluid forces is important when the flight is ballistic, and essential when, for example, recovery of a UAV or space capsule depends on an accurate measurement of the operating forces, lift and drag. Measurement of dynamic properties (mass, and inertia of the vehicle) and aerodynamic properties (of the vehicle and its control surfaces) are key to precise control. MSBS offer the opportunity to identify unsteady aerodynamic phenomena that are of paramount importance for control of highly manoeuvrable vehicles operating at high (post-stall) angles of attack or indeed novel vehicle configurations and flapping flight. Hardware-in-the-loop simulations would enable free-flight testing of such vehicles in the wind tunnel. The NWTF hub provides a single point of contact for access to university wind tunnels and researchers enabling connectivity and collaboration by matching researchers from both the UK and abroad to facilities. A general principle is that, even if the converse is possible, movement of the researcher to the facility is more efficient than transport of facility/equipment to different sites. This involves the recognition that a particular site offers more - expertise, training, data storage - than just the facility itself. This proposal extends the role of NWTF by developing interactions with both industry and public-sector institutions such as EPSRC/UKRI and government departments (DBT, DSIT). It has strong links with the Aerospace Technology Institute. These developments require a new outward-facing role, a Director of Operations and Business Development. This is a key organisational role which enables NWTF to be defined as an organisation (possibly as a legal entity) in its own right. The importance of fluid mechanics across all sectors of the UK economy has been established, with NWTF demonstrating a new viable model for the running of, and enabling access to, state-of-the-art facilities. While NWTF has recently made significant contributions to R&D (often involving industry partners), the scope thus far has excluded industry facilities of higher TRL. While university support includes that for training and skills development at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the benefits of the NWTF model have yet to be fully exploited in all relevant sectors of the economy, most notably industry. Through its Director of Operations, NWTF has initiated meetings to discuss the construction of new and the development of existing facilities that meet perceived gaps in the TRL5+ landscape
GRN: EP/Z533154/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/12/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Global energy sustainability, achieving net-zero carbon emissions, and energy security are overarching societal challenges. Solar currently provides 5% of the UK's electricity and is expanding five-fold to 70 GW by 2035. The cost of solar electricity is now often cheaper than fossil fuel-generated electricity without subsidy, thus providing a solution to achieving net-zero.The UK is an essential participant across the solar value stream and a recognised leader in solar research and innovation. Key facets of the UK solar industry are world-class: specialised glass materials manufacturing, new solar materials development, analytics, new approaches to maximise ecological benefits, asset management, and solar power plant design, development and installation.The solar industry alone is expected to require 60,000 jobs in the UK by 2035. Many of these are high paying careers. An additional 6000 new engineering graduates are needed in the solar sector to achieve the 2035 goals. The significant impediment to solar achieving a preeminent role in the UK energy mix is the deficit of knowledgeable workers. The increasing complexity of solar installations will require additional interdisciplinary skills that can be successfully applied at a systems level. New and existing solar professionals will need a meaningful, practical knowledge of such diverse topics including modules, installation approaches, and performance analytics, ecological consequences, policy, finance among others.This Sustainable Solar Energy Systems (SES) Network Plus will develop an industrially facing, practical coalition for skills and workforce development to enable widespread solar implementation and ultimately net-zero in the UK. The Network will create, coalesce and share both new knowledge and best practice through skills development programmes. These will be open to Early Career Researchers and industry professionals looking to expand their capabilities. Rather than focus on a single topic, these programs will present a systems perspective giving the participants an interdisciplinary understanding. We will develop a Network Plus drawn from Universities, Industry, Government, Finance, and the legal profession involved in solar implementation and systems development. The SES Network will provide participants with the tools to understand and interact across this broad landscape. Activities will include:Industry Led Skills Development Workshops bringing best practices and new solar specific "add on" skills to jump-start and promote careers in the solar industry.Innovation Support Programs: This new seed fund will support innovation needed by the industry while fostering collaboration between diverse stakeholders.A new Peer To Peer Mentoring Program will support the dissemination of best industry practices, extend the learning from the workshops while promoting the participation of underrepresented groups.An industry-aligned International Travel Fund will enable travel to key conferences, industry events and training opportunities not directly sponsored by the Network.An Industrial Secondment Fund will allow participants to develop solar specific skills through internships at leading companies active in the solar value stream.Public policy and engagement approaches will be developed to more broadly promote the need for solar and interdisciplinary skills development.
GRN: EP/Y020790/1
Period: 15/07/2024 to 14/07/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
The goal of this grant is to develop new organic materials for solar cells that can convert light from red to blue. Done with sufficient quantum efficiency, this would enable a photovoltaic device (solar cell) with a power conversion efficiency of nearly 50%. This compares to a traditional single band gap device with a maximum efficiency of 34%. As these upconverting films are entirely optical, they can be made relatively easily, and the design process of the light management and the combined electrical/optical design of the single-bandgap solar cell can be separated.Our approach is to develop methods to model the processes occurring on a computer. This is challenging, as when you excite a material with a photon, the standard Born-Oppenheimer approximation we use in most quantum mechanics stops working, and we have to consider an exponentially exploding set of entangled quantum states. Also, the molecules that are useful for a technical application are very large (hundreds of atoms). This stretches our ability to solve the equations of quantum mechanics even in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, on the largest computers.We have two main routes to overcome these limitations:First, we will develop methods and new computer codes that make use of the Feynman path integral approach to quantum mechanics. This alternative formulation has not had much application to materials, mainly because the mathematical objects you need to manipulate are quite abstract. One nice thing about this approach to quantum mechanics is that it can deal with infinite degrees of freedom, with a hierarchy of approximations that can be turned on and off for the problem of interest.Second, we take some of the ideas and techniques in machine learning, and apply them to quantum chemistry. We will develop methods to fit empirical quantum mechanical models to the materials are interested in, considerably reducing the computational burden, while retaining accuracy.Both these approaches are enabled by modern scientific programming languages and agile software development practices from industry - small teams can now implement a large quantity of new methods in a short amount of time.However, modelling will only take you so far. We will also do spectroscopic measurements on molecular upconverting devices, combining them with modelling in order to understand the working mechanism; these measurements will also validate the approximations made in our models. A particular technique we will use is called electron paramagnetic resonance. This is directly sensitive to the quantum mechanical spin of the excited states.Our aim is to develop empirical design rules for how to make higher efficiency devices. These will pass on to our synthetic chemistry collaborators, who will make these new molecules, which we will measure. Closing the loop on modelling, experimental validation, and then design and measurement ensures we are kept deeply in touch with reality, and offers the best route to make progress.
GRN: EP/Y036492/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2028
Funding Source: EPSRC
Low carbon and renewable energy (LCRE) industries are central to the Net Zero challenge. An apparent political consensus has been forged around the idea that investments in LCREs have the potential to contribute to regionally balanced growth. Coastal areas are seen as particularly advantageous for this development, as companies can build on combined human, physical and natural capital assets. While the growth of LCREs represents a new opportunity for wider geographies of growth, its realization will depend on place-based and place-sensitive policy support. LCRE industries have become central to the local and regional development strategies of coastal regions of the UK. However, despite recent work on the geographies of UK energy transition and the growth of renewables, we still know relatively little about how LCRE industries become established and are developed and supported, especially in coastal regions.The aim of the research is to examine, for the first time, how and why the growth of LCREs varies across coastal regions, by exploring and comparing the development trajectories of key industries (offshore wind, tidal, hydrogen and carbon capture, battery and storage technologies) in four varied coastal regions (the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside, Eastern Scotland and the South West). It will examine the strength and nature of clusters in these industries and study the interactions between different industries in these clusters. The project will focus on how local leaders, policy agents and entrepreneurs use assets, resources, and institutions to shape the geographies and development trajectories of LCRE industries. It will develop a new perspective on the dynamic processes that shape the development of these new industry paths and how they vary across places. It will also examine the local outcomes and consequences of different industries and the intended impact of the project is to identify and improve the types of place-sensitive policies and support measures required to build the growth of new industrial paths. It will build networks and exchanges across the study regions to share experiences and learning.In each of our study regions, the focus is on the key coastal sites of LCRE development such as Teesside, the Humber, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and coastal Devon, but also involves firms that are outside of these primary clusters. Adopting this regional and sectoral focus allows us to construct a programme that compares different regions and enables us to compare LCRE industries both within and across regions. The project will involve three work packages. The first will examine path formation and provide evidence about the emerging LCRE sectors in our four case study regions, set within the broader context of geographical data of emerging LCRE sectors. The second will explain path causation by looking at the causal processes and actors shaping the differential growth of LCRE paths in the case study regions. The third package will identify developmental outcomes by seeking to identify the impacts and consequences of the development of selected LCRE growth paths for their host regions. The project will then allow us to shape local and national policy and practice in bringing together the levelling up and net zero missions.
GRN: ES/Y005155/1
Period: 01/06/2024 to 30/11/2026
Funding Source: ESRC
UKRI has announced investment in new infrastructure projects. The funding will provide world-class facilities and equipment to help maintain the UK's position as a science superpower in line with the ambitions set out in the government's Science and Technology Framework. The funding includes £23 million (including contingency funds and indexation) for individual wind tunnels, an experimental database and upgrades to existing facilities across the UK's National Wind Tunnel Facility network to transform UK research capability in fluid dynamics.The aim is for NWTF+ to deliver a network of world-leading wind tunnels. It will address societal and industrial grand challenges including:- the generation of net zero technologies- advances in emissions reduction- future technologies for transport, energy, and healthcareAt Bristol, the UKRI funding will be used to invest into three new state-of-the-art facilities: (1) A multi-purpose boundary layer wind tunnel facility, (2) a new pressure-neutral acoustic wind tunnel, and (3) a novel highly instrumented propeller testbed. The new facilities are expected to enable a wide range of academic and industrial research for the next 20-30 years and turn Bristol into a research hub for research in environmental aerodynamics, pollution, aeroacoustics, propulsion, etc. The new facilities will also place Bristol and the UK at the forefront of research in these areas and enable the UK partners to join major international collaborations. The new facilities will also play a major role in the training of the next generations of highly-skilled researchers and engineers in some strategically important fields of research.
11/07/2024
4 new projects added
GRN: EP/Z00148X/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The realm of cation disorder chemistry has greatly broadened the chemical space for designing novel cathode materials, leading toextensive study of cation disordered rocksalts (DRX). These DRX materials represent a series of metal oxides that share the rocksalt(NaCl) structure with fcc anion and cation sublattices. In Li-based DRX oxides (Li1+xM1-xO2), the lithium and transition metal (M) mixwith each other in the cation sublattice, a phenomenon expected to augment lithium storage and foster high performance.Traditionally, mechanochemical synthesis, such as ball milling, is a common approach for obtaining DRX materials. Yet, this methodyields products with poor crystallinity and can induce undesirable side reactions, ultimately compromising battery capacity.To address these challenges, this proposal presents a novel strategy to synthesize DRX-LinMxOy materials through electrochemicalpathways, aiming to enhance their electrochemical performance.To unravel the complexity, this project leverages sophisticated techniques including advanced pair distribution function (PDF), X-rayabsorption spectroscopy (XAS) and solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (ssNMR) to probe the structure transformation andcapacity fading in DRX-LinMxOy materials. This in-depth analysis aims to strategically guide the synthesis and optimization of novelDRX materials.
GRN: EP/Y022270/1
Period: 01/04/2024 to 31/03/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
The goal of this project is to develop "photonic curing" (PC) as a quick and selective method to replace thermal annealing in solar cell preparation. The thermal annealing indicates a treatment that most solar cells need, during which the photovoltaic device (included the substrate) is placed in an oven or on a hot-plate at certain temperature (ranging from few tens to hundreds of C) for different times (from seconds to hours). Consequently, the annealing limits the choice of substrates and compounds that can be used in a solar cell, depending on their thermal. For example, a commonly used transport layer, TiO2, requires annealing at 450C for several minutes. Clearly, this material, cannot be used on plastic substrates, that would melt during the annealing. To overcome this limitation, this project uses photonic curing, in which a short but powerful pulse from high voltage lamps is used as heat source. Differently from traditional thermal processes, in the photonic curing the energy comes from a lamp placed on top the device, only heating the uppermost layer of the multilayer structure that characterise solar cells. By changing the light pulse characteristics (power, duration, repetitions and frequency) it is possible to modulate the transmitted energy profile, adapting it to the light-absorption properties and to thermal conditions required by the material to be treated. Additionally, it is possible to carefully control the heating penetration depth, avoiding damages to the materials and substrates underneath the uppermost layer. Therefore, this could permit the preparation of novel solar cells architectures, as well as the improvement of existing single- and multi-junction devices. For example, delicate substrates (such as plastic or fabric) could be used, and novel combinations of small- and wide-bandgaps semiconductors for tandem PV devices could be explored. As such, the main objectives of this project will be: i) development of photonic curing treatments for the crystallization of different thin-films absorbers (perovskites, Sb2Se3, Cu2ZnSnS4) and different transport materials (TiO2, SnO2, ZnO2, MoOx or NiOx). ii) Preparation and characterization of thin-film single-junction solar cells through photonic curing on flexible substrates. iii) Preparation of novel multi-junction solar cells (so far hindered by the required thermal treatments) on rigid and flexible substrates. Thanks to the creation of novel photovoltaic modules able to satisfy both high efficiency and a wide range of prerequisites beyond performances (e.g. light weight and bendability, patterned designs, colour, etc.), this project will have an enormous impact on the academic, industrial, and social sector, unlocking a new technology and permitting large deployment of solar cells in different contexts.
GRN: EP/X03660X/1
Period: 30/06/2024 to 29/06/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Perovskite solar cells are one of the newest and most exciting materials in the world of solar cell research. In little over 10 years their lab scale efficiencies have advanced from 8% to over 25%, putting them on a par with market leading silicon solar cells. However, after a decade's worth of interest and investment, this potentially revolutionary solar cell has not made it on to the market yet. There are several important barriers to commercialisation for perovskites, principally:1. Issues with stability of perovskite materials,2. Concerns around the use of toxic element such as lead, and,3. Issues in transitioning to scalable manufacturing processes.In order to overcome these barriers, we propose a more holistic approach to design and fabrication of perovskite solar cells, which considers both toxicity and scalability, as well electrical efficiency during the optimisation process. The aim of this project to develop safe, stable and printable perovskite solar inks. This will be achieved by developing tin-based perovskite solar cells and exploring the use of ionic liquids in the solvent system to create a stable non-toxic ink that can be used in an inkjet printer. Ionic liquids are an impressive new solvent option for perovskite processing, exhibiting many favourable properties, such as solubility, low toxicity and stability. Most promising of all is the tunability of their viscosity, a key parameter in ink formulation for printing and thin film processing, which is yet to be explored. The goal is to fully print a tin-based perovskite solar cell in atmospheric conditions. This will be a revolutionary solar cell product that contains no harmful materials, is more easily recyclable and can be fabricated at lower costs
GRN: EP/Y009568/1
Period: 17/06/2024 to 16/06/2028
Funding Source: EPSRC
The need to transition from a society powered by fossil fuels to one powered by renewable resources is a globally-recognized, urgent problem. One attractive source of base-load renewable energy is geothermal energy, although high capital and production costs mean that in many parts of the world geothermal energy is not economically competitive against fossil fuel alternatives. In Japan, for example, geothermal electricity costs 2-4 times as much to generate per kWh as that from gas-fired power plants.One strategy to increase the power output of geothermal plants is through accessing even hotter and deeper 'supercritical' fluids, with temperatures in excess of 400 Celsius and depths over 3 km. Such fluids can carry up to ten times more enthalpy than conventional geothermal fluids, and trial supercritical projects are underway in USA, Mexico, Japan, Iceland, Italy and New Zealand. However, the greater contribution of magmas (silicate melts) to supercritical fluids means that they can have significantly higher solute loads, making them much more likely to cause well-bore scaling, a perennial problem in geothermal systems. On the other hand, the higher solute load brings with it opportunities if the dissolved metals can be recovered commercially alongside the heat. This provides a second value stream that could greatly reduce the costs of geothermal power generation. Many of the metals dissolved in supercritical fluid are those commonly used in batteries and electric vehicles capable of producing scales with metal concentrations comparable to high-grade ores. The total polymetallic value of supercritical fluids is estimated to be up to ten times that of their contained energy, giving a sense of the considerable economic benefit to recovering metals alongside geothermal energy.To date, the co-production of geothermal energy and metals is limited to lower temperature, relatively solute-poor fluids and has not yet been considered for supercritical systems. Currently, most metals present in geothermal fluids are either lost to scale downhole, which also reduces the efficiency of the well, or left in solution and lost as waste. The aim of this project is to develop novel functional materials that selectively remove metals from saline, supercritical geothermal fluids. These materials will not only enable metals recovery, but also help inhibit problematic scale growth on the well-bores. The use of minerals to recover metals is in contrast to the more common use of immiscible solvents whose selectivity between different metals is consistently less. We will build upon our long experience of metal-fluid partitioning of metals in geologic systems to select the optimum metal-sequestering minerals for geothermal fluids.The objectives will be accomplished in several stages. The initial stage will involve characterisation of geothermal scale found in active geothermal wells. Metal contents and scale mineralogy will be determined. This step will help inform which materials can be used to selectively remove the metals of interest from the geothermal fluid. Hydrothermal experiments will then be performed at small-scales and in novel flow-through reactors to determine the efficiency at which the chosen materials can remove metals from supercritical fluids. During the last stage of the project, strategies for synthesising the materials downhole, as well as recovery of metals at the surface, will be developed through collaboration with industry partners. The project represents translational science whereby an understanding of element partitioning in geological and engineered systems is used to bridge a fundamental knowledge gap between the mining and geothermal energy sectors in the development of a novel approach to the Net Zero transition. Our choice of project partners from the global geothermal research, drilling and metals processing community will facilitate scale-up and commercial uptake at this new research frontier
03/07/2024
23 new projects added
GRN: EP/Z002125/1
Period: 01/08/2024 to 31/07/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The European Union is committed to combatting climate change by reducing CO2 emissions, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve this, they've set a target of at least a 55% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. A crucial aspect is the use of renewable energy, particularly for heating and cooling buildings. However, renewable energy sources are intermittent, posing a challenge to continuous availability. Therefore, Thermal Energy Storage (TES) technology plays a pivotal role in storing energy during periods of low demand and releasing it when needed, effectively shifting energy loads from peak to off-peak hours. One emerging field within TES research is the use of latent heat storage using phase change materials (PCM) which offer the potential to synchronize energy demand and supply over short to long-term periods. While PCMs have shown promising performance due to their high energy density, conventional PCM systems suffer from heat losses, even when not in use. "SuperThermalBattery" concept, utilizes a novel approach involving solar-powered hybrid supercooled PCMs. This system stores latent heat entirely using solar PV/ Thermal powered heat pumps even at ambient temperature, and release it only when triggered for crystallization, effectively turning the supercooling disadvantage of conventional PCMs into an asset. This research seeks to explore the potential of innovative hybrid supercooled PCMs, aiming to enhance their thermal properties and crystallization kinetics. This comprehensive approach promises reliable supercooled PCM materials for both short-term and long-term thermal storage applications. This system has the potential to reduce fossil fuel usage and CO2 emissions in the EU, enhance energy security, address challenges in heat storage applications, and increase the use of solar-assisted heat pumps for domestic heating
GRN: EP/Z002982/1
Period: 01/05/2025 to 30/04/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Light is a versatile stimulus, offering multiple adjustable parameters that allow for precise manipulation without physical contact or as an energy source. Recently, there has been a growing interest in light-controlled photochromic materials (PCMs). These materials have garnered attention due to their significance in fundamental research and diverse applications, including optical switches, optical data storage devices, energy-efficient coatings, energy storage, and eyewear. Photochromism, defined as the reversible transformation of a chemical species between two different isomers with distinct absorption spectra, plays a pivotal role in PCMs. This transformation is initiated by exposure to light and can occur in both forward and reverse directions. In this context, excited state modelling is essential to understand mechanisms in PCMs, aiding the design and optimization of new materials. However, computational limitations, particularly the high computational costs associated with non-adiabatic dynamics (NAMD) in crystalline environments, present significant challenges in studying these reactions. An alternative approach to address these computational challenges is to employ data-driven models alongside traditional quantum chemistry (QC) calculations. Machine learning (ML) models, trained using quantum chemical data, have shown great promise in predicting ground state energies and forces with remarkable precision. This data-driven approach has the potential to substantially accelerate simulations. This research project aims to integrate Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) with existing QC codes to enhance and expedite NAMD simulations within solid environments, extending the simulation timescales. Our research focuses around investigating the cyclization reaction of photochromic diarylethene derivatives. This will serve as a crucial case study to evaluate the efficacy of the suggested approaches in understanding the behaviour of known materials and aiding in the discovery
GRN: EP/Z002559/1
Period: 01/09/2024 to 28/02/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The UK has a clear roadmap to establish itself as a global leader in fusion power technology, a field anticipated to play a pivotal role in clean energy generation over the next 50 to 100 years. A major milestone in this journey is achieving a net positive energy output in the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) fusion plant by the year 2040.The key to accomplishing this ambitious goal lies in effectively containing the plasma generated in the fusion reaction, a feat only possible if the materials used in the core components of the plant can withstand the extreme combination of irradiation, thermal, magnetic, electric, and mechanical stresses anticipated in these facilities. Remarkably, no single material system alone can withstand these conditions.Currently, the prevailing designs for components near the reactor core relies on tungsten, a material renowned for its excellent thermal conductivity and resistance to radiation damage. These tungsten components are kept cool by being connected to copper heat sinks. However, these existing designs face limitations in performance due to conventional manufacturing methods. These methods restrict the complexity of shapes that can be created, and the use of various joining techniques (such as brazing, fasteners, welding, or adhesion) introduces elements like bolts, holes, or interlocking mechanisms. These features can potentially undermine the overall structural performance of the component.Our proposal suggests a drastically different approach to manufacture. We believe that such parts should be manufactured using a bottom-up process that enables the deliberate design of structural and property variations in a component. That is, a manufacturing process that allows to translate into physical parts the outcome of concurrent design activities that simultaneously maximise the thermal extraction behaviour of copper heat sinks and the radiation-resistance design offered by tungsten barriers.To achieve this vision, we require the capability to precisely arrange tungsten and copper in three dimensions with deterministic control, guided by computational methods. Unfortunately, this capability is currently significantly limited, with state-of-the-art at prototype levels. Therefore, the core objective of our research is to explore the potential of multi-metallic additive manufacturing, a capability recently developed in the UK, to establish new guidelines for design and fabricate multi-metallic advanced structures.A significant research challenge lies in establishing rules for mixing and evolving the metal-metal joint (interface) that forms during the deposition of tungsten and copper. We also aim to develop new interface material models and integrate them into design activities that extend to the component level (macro scale). We anticipate a spectrum of complexities in these interfaces, which will vary depending on factors such as build arrangement, thermal history, and deposition sequence. Determining these models will require the support of first-of-a-kind characterisation experiments, including microscopy and thermo-mechanical testing, alongside computational metallurgy.Once we have established this foundational research, our goal is to deliver structures tailored for fusion power applications. We will design and rigorously test these structural prototypes in collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), one of our project partners.
GRN: EP/Y034813/1
Period: 01/04/2024 to 30/09/2032
Funding Source: EPSRC
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistics and Machine Learning (StatML) will address the EPSRC research priority of the 'physical and mathematical sciences powerhouse' through an innovative cohort-based training program. StatML harnesses the combined strengths of Imperial and Oxford, two world-leading institutions in statistics and machine learning, in collaboration with a broad spectrum of industry partners, to nurture the next generation of leaders in this field. Our students will be at the forefront of advancing the core methodologies of data science and AI, crucial for unlocking the value inherent in data to benefit industry and society. They will be equipped with advanced research, technical, and practical skills, enabling them to make tangible real-world impacts. Our students will be ethical and responsible innovators, championing reproducible research and open science. Collaborating with students, charities and equality experts, StatML will also pioneer a comprehensive strategy to promote inclusivity, attract individuals from diverse backgrounds and eliminate biases. This will help diversify the UK's future statistics and machine learning workforce, essential for ensuring data science is used for public good.Data science and AI are now part of our everyday lives, transforming all sectors of the economy. To future-proof the UK's prosperity and security, it is essential to develop new methodology, specifically tailored to meet the big societal challenges of the future. The techniques underpinning such methods are founded in statistics and machine learning. Through close collaboration with a broad range of industry partners, our cohort-based training will support the UK in producing a critical mass of world-leading researchers with expertise in developing cutting-edge, impactful statistical and machine learning methodology and theory. It is well documented in government and learned society reports that the UK economy has an urgent need for these people. The significant level of industry support for our proposal also highlights the necessity of filling this gap in the UK data science ecosystem.StatML will learn from and build upon our previous successful experiences in cohort training of doctoral students (our existing StatML CDT funded in 2018, as well as other CDTs at Imperial and Oxford). Our students will continue to produce impactful, internationally leading research in statistics and machine learning (as evidenced by our students' impressive publication record and our world-leading research environment, as rated by the REF 2021 evaluation), while complementing this with a bespoke cohort-based Advanced Training program in Statistics and Machine Learning (StatML-AT). StatML-AT has been developed from our experience and in partnership with industry. It will be responsive to emerging technologies and equip our students with the practical skills required to transform how data is used. It will be delivered by our outstanding academics from both institutions alongside with industry leaders to ensure that students receive training in cutting edge technologies, along with the latest ideas in ethics, responsible innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship. This will be complemented by industrial and academic placements to allow the students to develop their own international network and produce high-impact research. Together, StatML and its partners will train 90+ students over 5 cohorts. More than half of these will be funded from external sources, including 25+ by industry, representing excellent value for money. Our diverse cohorts will benefit from a unique and responsive training program combining academic excellence, industry engagement, and interdisciplinary culture. This will make StatML a vibrant research environment inspiring the next methodological advancements to transform the use of data and AI across industry and society
GRN: EP/Y035127/1
Period: 01/04/2024 to 30/09/2032
Funding Source: EPSRC
The centre will focus on negative emission technologies. Most climate policy specialists in the UK and around the world consider these will be essential to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. At present the Supergen Bioenergy hub has 2 research projects on BECCS (focused on gasification), the Oxford based greenhouse removal hub works with 4 demonstrators (on biochar, peatlands, enhanced weathering and afforestation), all focused on academic research in UK institutes.This project will work with both Supergen and the GGR Hub (as well as the dmonstrators which have Nottingham and Aston leadership and participation) to expand the research to the currently neglected areas of engineered GGR solutions. The scale and level of activity often makes it difficult for individual universiteis to engage fully in the needs of the sector and so the CDT will address that by providing a wide pool of supervisors, facilities and disciplinary perspectives. No other centre currently does this for PhD students. No other centre has or is planned to address the future skills need with the huge anticipated expansion of this centre.The main technological themes are:Direct air capture and CO2 storageDirect air capture and CO2 utilizationBiochar synthesis and utilisationBiomass to materials and chemicalsCO2 UtilizationBiomass to energy with carbon capture and storage
GRN: EP/X035778/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 31/03/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Our proposed research aims to develop an ocean wave imaging analyser to predict wave- vessel-payload-crew interaction. This is a currently missing prerequisite for optimal seakeeping of fast vessels. Seakeeping, concerning the control of vessel motion when subjected to waves and the resulting effects on humans, systems, and mission capacity, remains one of the biggest challenges in maritime safety. Vessel operational practices (48%) and human factors (17%), both key to seakeeping, have been the main safety recommendations amongst 1212 investigations, conducted by the European Maritime Safety Agency in the past decade.Before making any control decisions, mitigating detrimental effects on seakeeping requires accurate and real-time modelling of the approaching waves in the perimeter of the vessel. The predicted wave loading is essential for any precise estimation of vessel motion, but it is absent. To derive such a model, 3D wave geometry evolving in real time - a dynamic 4D scene - is required. However, the computational time required for existing sensing and modelling approaches are too long for the decision windows of any vessel operations. This process presently takes more than tens of seconds in order to anticipate and react at close proximity. This leads to three specific challenges we propose to tackle.1) Develop a real-time stereo wave imaging system for fast vessels to create an imaging database in order to reconstruct accurate 4D wave scenes.2) Reduce inference time of extracting wave dynamic features, e.g. wave propagation speed, direction, magnitude by comparing and adapting different deep learning methods.3) Predict dynamic loading on the vessel, payload and crew from reconstructed 4D wave.Storms are expected to become more common and severe due to climate change. The maritime industries, including fishing, marine science, defence, offshore energy, and search and rescue services, will need to adapt. A shock mitigation strategy is essential for all crafts that undertake rough water transits manned or unmanned. In heavy seas, 'wave slams' induce high-acceleration events exposing occupants to mechanical shocks and whole-body vibration of extreme magnitudes with severe chronic and acute consequences on human health. The UK regulation based on the Control of Vibration Work Regulations 2005 and the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessel Regulations 2007, with daily limits for shock and vibration exposure. Similar legislation applies throughout Europe and other countries. It is not always practicable for fast vessel operators to carry out necessary activities and duties while complying with these limits. In many situations, crew shock and vibration exposures are the limiting factor of the operational capability.It is practical to provide crew with shock mitigating seating. Seats or cabs, however, protect the crew, but not the hull, hull-mounted equipment or payload. If the coxswain continues to drive to the same discomfort level, the loading on the vessel will be increased with the potential of immediate and long-term damages. This is a current area of concern in the whole industry. An experienced coxswain can maintain a high speed while mitigating the impact severity via constant adjustment of the helm and throttle. This skillset requires understanding of many factors: the characteristics of the oncoming wave and the likely response of the vessel and crew.The development of an 'intelligent' imaging system capable of reading the dynamic oncoming sea, sensing craft motion, and its effects on crew and cargo will be essential to the seakeeping and maritime safety. Our industrial-driven research will address this challenge through extensive onboard stereo imaging experimentation, state-of-the-art numerical modelling and development of new artificial intelligence framework. The outcomes will transform critical operational safety of merchant shipping, fishing, defence, offshore energy assets, rescue services
GRN: EP/Z003083/1
Period: 01/12/2024 to 30/11/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
FICON-AZBs is an interdisciplinary and innovative project in the field of energy storage that aims to synthesize functional inorganic ceramic oxide nanofibers with high flexibility intensity, which can be designed as novel separators in high performance aqueous zincbased batteries (AZBs). This project will be delivered by the fellow, Dr. Zhe Cui, with a strong expertise in energy storage materials and flexible nanofibers, under the supervision of Dr. Guanjie He, who has a strong track-record in AZBs. This fellowship will provide new expertise and training on: 1) synchrotron radiation and XCT characterization; 2) advanced AZIB technologies; 3) professional development for academics. The fellow will bring his knowledge of nanofiber and energy storage that will complement the project and enhance the current expertise of the host
GRN: EP/X027511/2
Period: 01/04/2024 to 28/02/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Today, mobile devices such as smartphones and wearables are usually powered by batteries, while a data connection to the internet is provided by radio frequency (RF) signals. The need for the daily charging of our mobile devices is considered a hurdle to scale the number of internet of things (IoT) connections and the large-scale introduction of new devices such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) and industry 4.0 applications. At the same time, the demand for higher data rates and ultra-low latency data connections is set to increase in future sixth generation (6G) cellular networks. The GreenCom project will address both requirements jointly. We are developing optical wireless communication systems that achieve a 10 times higher data rate compared to current wireless systems, while the system harvests energy from the data link as well as the ambient light. The project will unlock new potentials for energy-efficient, ultra-high speed, and ultra-low latency wireless connectivity. The ambitious goals of this project are achieved through an international collaboration with the German Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) who are world-leading in the development of energy efficient photovoltaic (PV) cells. ISE will develop unique semiconductor devices for combined power harvesting and data reception with unprecedented photovoltaic conversion efficiency and digital data reception capability. The University of Strathclyde's LiFi Research and Development Centre (LRDC) will develop the communication techniques, algorithms and protocols to facilitate optimum energy harvesting and ultra-high data rates and ultra-low latency in a multiuser environment. Scalability of both harvested power and data rates will be achieved by creating parallel transmission links separated in space and by means of different wavelengths. This partnership will create new applications in the fields of future sustainable mobile wireless communications (including optical wireless fronthaul, optical wireless backhaul) as well as smart wireless devices for the Internet of Things (IoT), the Internet of Senses and Industry 4.0 applications, and thereby lay the foundation for a new research area. Joint experimentation within the project will push the performance boundaries of optical wireless multiuser links and will set a new benchmark for simultaneous harvested power and transmitted data rates with 1 W harvested power at 10 m distance and 10 Gb/s link data rate, respectively.
GRN: EP/W031221/2
Period: 01/02/2024 to 13/02/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Nuclear power is low-carbon and green energy. It presently provides about 10% of the world's electricity and 20% of the UK's electricity, contributing enormously to global Net Zero emissions. Nuclear power will continue to play an important role in the global transition to a low carbon economy. However, one major disadvantage of nuclear power is that its generation process produces radioactive waste that can remain hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years. Over the past more than 60 years' utilisation of nuclear power in the UK and worldwide, many radioactive wastes have accumulated, most of which are stored temporarily in storage near nuclear power plants. It is vital for us to deal with the waste to protect human health and the environment. A global consensus has been reached in this area, that is to isolate radioactive waste that is incompatible with surface disposal permanently in suitable underground rock formations (i.e., host rocks) by developing a geological disposal facility (GDF). As also set out in the 2014 White Paper, the UK Government is committed to implementing geological disposal, with work on developing this led by Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM).Developing a GDF relies on a stable rock formation to ensure mechanical stability and barrier function of host rocks. It is therefore essential to understand factors that influence the integrity of rocks. This is challenging partially because of the complexity of rock fractures that are widespread in the Earth upper crust. Although rock mechanical behaviour has a long record of study, attempts to understand the role of fractures on rock deformation still has unresolved issues. For example, natural rock fractures are often dealt with crudely; almost all previous studies of this problem assume rock fractures to be continuous, with zero or very small cohesion that can be neglected. However, it is almost a ubiquitous feature that natural rock fractures in the subsurface are incipient and heterogeneous, with considerable tensile strength and cohesion. This is either due to secondary minerals having recrystallised, bonding fracture surfaces together, or due to rock bridges.This INFORM project will focus on mineral-filled fractures (i.e., veins) that are frequently seen in the subsurface but often ignored or less researched so far. The aim of INFORM is to increase confidence in the design, construction, and operation of GDFs, by developing a mechanics-based multi-scale framework to understand the influence of fracture heterogeneity on the integrity and deformation behaviour of rocks across scales. The framework will integrate imaging analysis, laboratory experiments, numerical modelling, and field observations, to (1) determine factors contributing to fracture heterogeneity across scales, (2) understand the shear and triaxial deformational behaviour of veined rocks considering natural fracture geometry and heterogeneity, and (3) develop a field-scale model for repository structures considering fracture heterogeneity. Unlike most previous studies, which have focused on the influence of mechanical fractures on rock behaviour, INFORM will for the first time investigate the influence of natural veins, and will consider and implement these observations in the modelling of veined rock behaviour applied to a GDF. INFORM will "inform" a wide range of audiences with new insights through correlating micro-scale observations and macro-scale deformation of heterogenous veined and fractured rocks. This will be possible with the strong support of our academic and industrial partners (RWM, UK; Jacobs, UK; Northeastern University, China; GFZ, Germany; Stanford University, USA) and the help of our well-designed outreach and publication plans. INFORM will lead to a more accurate and reliable examination of fracture heterogeneity, which will not only directly benefit GDF R&D, but also broader rock engineering applications (e.g., tunnelling, cavern construction)
GRN: EP/Y017951/1
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/08/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
With the need for the development of novel hydrogen-compatible combustion devices, physical understanding of the flame behaviour and the identification of thermoacoustic instabilities at relevant combustor operating conditions for hydrogen-air swirl flames will help speed up the development of hydrogen combustors, in line with the UK government's net-zero vision. The proposed research will offer potential benefits to industry and contribute to the progress of science in the areas of fluid dynamics, turbulence and net-zero combustion. These include (i) An advanced Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) database for hydrogen-air premixed swirl flames under representative combustor operating conditions. (ii) A comprehensive understanding and a detailed analysis of the behaviour of the Precessing Vortex Core (PVC) under non-reacting and reacting flow conditions. (iii) Identification of the combustor operating conditions for which hydrodynamic/thermoacoustic instabilities exist. (iv) An in-depth analysis on extinction strain rates and heat release rate for lean hydrogen premixed flames. The outcomes of this project will offer knowledge on the flame stability limits and will contribute to the development of hydrogen based power generation and propulsion devices (e.g. gas turbines used for power generation and aircraft engines).
GRN: EP/Z002060/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Long-wavelength near-infrared light-emitting diodes (NIR LEDs) emitting beyond the 900 nm threshold play a pivotal role in diverseapplications such as night vision, biomedical imaging, sensing, and optical communications. Presently, NIR emitters predominantlyrely on III-V epitaxial hard inorganic semiconductors like GaAs and AlInGaAs. However, the intricate and demanding high-temperatureprocessing involved escalates their costs and curtails their seamless integration into multifunctional photonic platforms.Consequently, significant endeavors have been directed towards devising alternative soft NIR emitters that surmount thesechallenges. In recent developments, tin-halide perovskites (THPs) have emerged as highly promising candidates for NIR-LEDapplications. The emission range of THPs can be effortlessly fine-tuned from 680 nm to 1000 nm through facile compositionengineering. Moreover, the use of low-toxicity Sn-based perovskites aligns with the principles of the European Green Deal, whichseeks to reduce pollution and amplify safeguards for human life, animals, and plants. The project (MaPoTED) endeavors to propel thedevelopment of NIR-LEDs by pioneering novel strategies that amplify carrier injection and recombination efficiency. The dopingdensity will be manipulated by controlling the molecular additives, as well as the crystal grain growth. The outcomes of this projectwill contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of NIR emissive semiconductors, extending their significance to variousother communities, including solar cells, transistors, and photodetectors. This will be achieved by integrating deep knowledge ofmaterials science with expertise in photo-physics in the host (Optoelectronics Group, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge).After training in this project, I will have an increased set of research and transferable skills and competencies, which is critical to enhancing my employability and career prospects
GRN: EP/Z001897/1
Period: 16/09/2024 to 15/09/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The development of efficient, low-cost, and durable doped semiconductors including photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) andtransistors will be central to the EU goal of reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Taking photovoltaics as an example, the mostimportant aspects for commercialization are the power conversion efficiency (PCE), cost, and durability, which can be combined intothe levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) often expressed in euros per kilowatt hour. Multi-junction and bifacialphotovoltaics are therefore attractive because they enable power conversion limits associated with monofacial single junctions to besurpassed, lowering the LCOE. MoDCons represents a departure from the broadly adopted strategy of "trial and error", instead drivingdevice engineering strategy with fundamental understanding. Dr Westbrook will achieved this by designing a multi-modalmicroscopy toolkit capable of quantifying photophysical, chemical, and structural information on the microscale, in next-generationsemiconductors. He will deploy this toolkit to understand the structure-function relationships that underpin dopant formation inmixed-metal halide perovskites, with implications for photovoltaics and other optoelectronics. Finally, he will use the multi-modalmicroscopy toolkit to drive the device engineering of bifacial all-perovskite tandem solar cells to >30% efficiency and >1000h stability.A major academic and industrial effort towards commercialization of next-generation photovoltaics and optoelectronics is currentlyunderway with its epicenter in Europe. Therefore, the postdoctoral fellowship represents a timely opportunity to return DrWestbrook from the United States to strengthen Europe's base in research and development. Through MoDCons, Dr Westbrook will gain vital skills in device engineering, microscopy and management, securing his future independent academic career
GRN: EP/Z002494/1
Period: 02/09/2024 to 01/03/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
We will develop spray coated solar cell technology and explore the direct deposition of high efficiency perovskite solar cells onto curved surfaces. Sush devices will add minimal weight to the surface on which they are coated and will allow energy to be generated in locations close to where it is being used, for example on the roof or body of an electric vehicle, or the cladding that is attached to the surface of a building. Our preliminary measurements suggest such a mass penalty to be around 5 grams per square metre and therefore such solar cells will add relatively little overall weight of an electric vehicle (EV), but will be capable of trickle-charging the car's battery when it is parked in the sunshine. The low weight nature of our technology is expected to be particularly important for EV applications, as reduced weight extends their maximum driving range. The carbon fibre composite materials on which we spray-cast solar cells will also be light-weight, rigid and strong and will be of importance in building applications as they could be retro-fitted as cladding to older buildings that are unable to support the weight of relatively heavy conventional solar cell devices based on silicon.This research will build a unique toolbox of manufacturing process for the production of solar cells based around ultrasonic spray-coating. The process has recently been demonstrated at small 'lab-scale'. Our aim is to scale-up this technology, making it more repeatable and increasing the efficiency by which the solar cell converts light to electricity (the so-called power conversion efficiency). The surface on which we will spray-coat devices is of critical importance; surfaces have to be very smooth and contain a low rate of imperfections. Existing research has mainly targeted glass surfaces which are very smooth, however a process to spray-coat solar-cells onto carbon fibre composites having appropriate surface requirements will be developed. This process development will enable the transfer of this technology to a variety of other composites and can be expanded to include other emerging manufacturing methods. The research will culminate in the creation of a demonstrator device that will be fabricated over a non planar carbon-fibre surface. We plan to show the demonstrator to potential end users and build a collaboration network that will further develop this technology and drive it towards commercialisation
GRN: EP/Z002117/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The proposed fellowship aims to train a talented early-career researcher while contributing to scientific excellence in the EU by developing a novel thermochemical heat storage (THS) system for storing solar energy (Sola-TES). Heat storage is a strategic field for decarbonizing building heating, increasing the utilization of intermittent renewables, and providing building energy flexibility. Among the available heat storage methods, THS offers promising advantages, such as higher energy storage density and long-term (i.e. seasonal) heat storage potential, which motivate the applicant to pursue the Sola-TES design. The proposed system employs a novel closed-loop configuration by incorporating a polymeric fiber heat exchanger-based thermochemical reactor, inspired by fibrous plant roots, and a multi-functional plate heat exchanger that switches between condenser and evaporator functions during charging and discharging cycles. The proposed design overcomes the limitations of low efficiency and poor durability of existing THS systems while providing improved process control. Sola-TES will represent a significant step forward in the field of heat storage, offering technological, economic, and social benefits to the EU while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this beneficial technology, during this fellowship, the applicant will design, fabricate, test, and optimize a lab-scale prototype Sola-TES system. Furthermore, novel composite THS materials will be synthesized for use in the proposed system. The project has been carefully designed to align with Dr. Aydin's expertise and the strengths of the host team in THS materials/processes, solar technologies, and low-carbon buildings, facilitating a two-way knowledge transfer and training. The successful completion of this fellowship will contribute to European excellence i
GRN: EP/Y016661/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 30/09/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Micro-scale defects, ranging from several tens to a few hundreds of micrometers, frequently occur in metallic components, yet there is a lack of inspection equipment capable of identifying them. Failure to address the development of these micro-scale defects can result in their progression into macrocracks, leading to the failure of the components. Detecting micro-scale defects at an early stage enables scheduling of maintenance and timely implementation of measures to extend the lifespan of safety-critical infrastructure components. This is especially crucial for the UK's economy, as the country is planning to construct new generations of nuclear power plants designed to last 50 years or more, which intensifies the need for pre-service and in-service inspections of micro-scale defects. Additionally, the UK has nuclear power plants that are either approaching or have reached the end of their intended lifespan and are being considered for life extension. In all cases, early detection of micro-scale defects is essential to enhance the safety and performance of metallic components. In other power plants and high-value manufacturing, there is a comparable need to detect micro-scale defects. For example new hydrogen plants, the focus is on defects caused by high-temperature hydrogen or oxygen attack in pipes, while in high-value manufacturing, the focus is on detecting interlayer micro-scale defects, such as 100 - 300 micrometers wide pores in the additive manufacturing process, which is critical for quality control purposes.Ultrasound is popularly used to inspect defects as it can propagate inside materials and carry information about their condition. However, currently there is no ultrasonic technique available to directly detect micro-scale defects in metallic components. This is because that the material microstructure generates noise with similar amplitudes to the scattered signals from micro-scale defects, making it challenging to distinguish between them directly.The objective of this project is to create new ultrasonic array techniques that can detect and characterise micro-scale defects in metallic components, which is a long-standing challenge in NDT field. To accomplish this goal, ultrasonic models, signal processing techniques, ultrasound imaging algorithms and inverse modelling methods will be developed to analyse the ultrasonic array data from the material microstructures and micro-scale defects.Three work packages (WPs) have been identified:WP1: Array data generation through developed experimental and modelling protocols.WP2: Development of inverse modelling methods for detecting micro-scale defects.WP3: Validation of the proposed methods through case studies of detecting and characterising micro-scale defects in selected metallic components with industrial collaborators.Through the use of these developed ultrasonic array techniques, this project will unlock new understandings and insights into the characteristics and behavior of micro-scale defects in metallic components. The project involves multiple academic fields, including ultrasonics and NDT, mathematical modelling, finite element analysis, and engineering structural integrity. As an interdisciplinary project, it will have impacts in academia with the contributions to finite element models, statistical models, ultrasound imaging algorithms.Through close collaboration with industrial partners, which are Sellafield, EDF Energy, Hitachi, Rolls-Royce, GKN, Shell, TWI, and Lavender International, the project outcomes will provide new inspection tools for detecting and evaluating micro-scale defects in metallic components, thereby enhancing their safety and performance. The project's outcome will support progress toward net zero and energy sustainability of engineering structures, including design for manufacturing and assembly, and sustainable materials management.
GRN: EP/Z002907/1
Period: 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
With their power conversion efficiency now surpassing 25% and rivalling those based on conventional silicon, perovskite solar cells(PSCs) offer maximum potential in decarbonising the future energy supply. Nevertheless, the commercialisation of PSCs has generallybeen hindered by their limited stability, often associated with the degradation of constituents triggered by various environmental,mechanical and device-related stressors (e.g. humidity, oxygen, light and flexing), resulting in a device lifespan significantly inferior toconventional PV technologies (e.g. 20 years guaranteed for commercial silicon PV panels). In addition, the decommissioning anddisposal of aged perovskites PV modules can be both costly and environment unfriendly. To overcome these remaining barriers, Rep-PPV aims to develop more sustainable halide perovskite materials and devices capable of regenerating themselves after degradation.These are not only capable of extending their current device lifespan, but also can substantially alleviate the disposal requirements.This will be achieved through a comprehensive understanding and control of the reversible processes responsible for thedegradation of halide perovskite materials (through rational materials engineering) such that the aged products can be turned intofresh devices again, without the need for resource- and energy-intensive decommissioning and replacement. To deliver Rep-PPV, theresearcher's existing expertise will be advanced by receiving trainings on; personal development, supervision and mentoring,materials and device simulation, operation and maintenance of specific research facilities particularly for in-situ study as well as healthand safety. Rep-PPV will establish a new generation of sustainable perovskite PV technologies with built-in recyclability, thereby paving the way for their large-scale and sustainable deployment across a range of application areas
GRN: EP/Z002516/1
Period: 19/09/2024 to 18/09/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Improving solar fuel generating technologies and industrial catalysts are two essential aspects of tackling the ever-increasing issue of climate change. Electron bifurcating enzymes are systems which provide a blueprint to tackle both of these areas. SPECIMEN sets out to elucidate the catalytic mechanisms and electron transfer pathways in the electron bifurcating (FeFe)-hydrogenase HydABC from Thermatoga maritima (Tm) via a combination of advanced CW/pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies paired with state-of-the-art spectro-electrochemistry (SEC) and biochemical techniques. These advanced physical characterisation techniques, tightly coupled with biochemical methods for manipulating and tailoring samples, provide the most advanced toolkit for identifying and interrogating enzymatic electron transfer pathways, and the key structural/chemical factors that govern their involvement in electron bifurcation. The 44 FeS clusters and four flavin mononucleotide (FMN) sites of HydABC will be exploited to understand the electron bifurcating mechanism in the enzyme. Firstly, the role of FMN in electron bifurcation will be determined by hyperfine spectroscopy (ESEEM, HYSCORE, ENDOR, EDNMR and THYCOS), which will distinguish between the type of FMN radical produced (neutral vs. anionic), elucidating the mechanism. Next, these hyperfine techniques will be employed to investigate how the radical intermediate is stabilised by interactions with amino acid residues of the protein sequence, and the role of conformational changes in this process. Finally, pulsed dipolar EPR spectroscopy will be used to determine how these protein conformational changes operate within the electron bifurcating mechanism, with particular emphasis on the formation of electron transfer pathways, elucidating the synergy between changes in the electronic structure of FMN and the conformation of the protein to achieve bifurcation
GRN: EP/Z003334/1
Period: 01/12/2024 to 31/05/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Due to the increasing penetration of renewable energy and the urgent need set out by our society to achieve net zero targets, there has been an increase in the prominence of DC microgrids. These are relevant in many important applications such as renewable energy parks, autonomous microgrids to facilitate integration of renewable energy sources, data centres, satellites as well as emerging applications such as electric ships and aircrafts.Despite the improved efficiency DC microgrids can provide there are various challenges associated with their operation that need to be addressed. In particular, due to the intermittency of renewable energy and the need for a stable operation under various network configurations, plug-and-play operation is an important property that needs to be maintained. This is, however, a highly non-trivial property to achieve that lies outside more conventional control design approaches.As part of research carried out in the ERC grant HetScaleNet novel methodologies for achieving a plug-and-play operation in DC microgrids have been proposed with significantly reduced conservatism. Our aim with this proof of concept grant is to take these results to the next level in terms of their impact and exploitation. In particular, we will aim to validate these novel approaches via advanced case studies and disseminate those to stakeholders in industry. This will have a long term impact in the energy sector, allowing to realize such microgrids with a plug-and-play operation that will facilitate the efficient integration of renewable energy and the achievement of net zero targets
GRN: EP/Z002354/1
Period: 01/07/2025 to 30/06/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
In the development of wearable and flexible electronics, the demanding requirements for ultrathin, lightweight, and textile interfaced wearable sensor systems create challenges in power supply and in designs for low power operation. To date, most portable and wearable electronic devices are powered by conventional electrochemical Li-ion batteries, which are extremely restricted in their lifetime, sustainable operation, and environmental issues. There is a need to develop manufacturing processes that easily translate from prototyping to production and back whenever there is a need for customizing the technology. There is also a need for materials that would enable these technologies to be scaled up so that they became real products rather than prototypes or proofs-of-concept. TENG-NISPW will address cutting-edge research in material science, engineering, and physics, which will rely on the realization of TENG based on conductive nanomaterial inks. TENG-NISPW will take advantage of the precision with which 2D-TMDCs can be tailored by ink routes, and from the versatility with which their surface functionalities can further influence their electrical properties. This project has the ambition to transform the scenario of wearable energy technologies by developing a conceptually new class of high performance TENG. This breakthrough will exploit an unexplored synergy of 2D-TMDCs and device design drawing on flexible substrates. In particular, this proposal explores for the first time the combination of (i) novel fabrication methods with (ii) conceptually innovative functionalization and (iii) unprecedented device geometries. We will exploit solution-processable routes to deposit 2DTMDCs and surface engineering to further influence their electrical properties
GRN: EP/Z000238/1
Period: 03/06/2024 to 02/06/2025
Funding Source: EPSRC
The Solar Aviator project seeks to demonstrate a lightweight solution to develop light-powered and wireless electronic devices used by defence personnel for communication and data acquisition. The Royal Airforce require an ongoing energy source for ground troops who secure and protect airfields. Such operations require ground troops to carry a lot of heavy kit. Additionally, wherepersonnel are in the field and battery energy sources run out, light weight solar energy sources would help maintain contact on operations such as an evacuation. We have developed a solution to this operational need: printable solar cells which can be deposited on fabric, plastic, or foil for integration into portable electronic devices or wearable technology under various light conditions. Thisproject exploits recent results proving that the power generated under ambient light by a high efficiency photovoltaics with the area equivalent to a mobile phone can power sensors and IoT devices. We now propose a wearable self-powered communication technology.
GRN: EP/Z003024/1
Period: 01/09/2025 to 31/08/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Achieving highly efficient perovskite solar cells that can withstand temperature variations is a critical goal in photovoltaic research forcommercialisation. Temperature fluctuations are encountered in various environments and can significantly impact the performanceand stability of perovskite materials. In ELASTIC project, our primary objective is to optimise the crystallisation process of perovskitesto enhance both bulk and surface crystal quality. By precisely controlling reaction conditions, we aim to minimise crystal defects andpromote the growth of high-quality perovskite crystals. This will result in reduced charge recombination losses and improvedphotovoltaic performance. Furthermore, we will investigate the behaviour of perovskite crystals under varying temperatureconditions and thermal cycling. By gaining insights into the stability mechanisms, we seek to develop strategies to enhance the longterm stability of perovskite solar cells, even under extreme temperature variations. This endeavor holds an intrinsic training aspect. Aswe delve into these complexities, our team cultivates expertise in advanced materials characterisation, crystal engineering, andstability assessment. This empowers our researchers to meaningfully contribute to sustainable energy innovation and enhance theskills and knowledge. Our research aims to pave the way for highly efficient perovskite solar cells that can withstand real-worldenvironmental conditions, ensuring their practical and widespread application in renewable energy systems. The outcomes of thisproject will contribute to the advancement of perovskite optoelectronic devices, bringing us closer to a sustainable future powered by efficient solar energy technology
GRN: EP/Y031253/1
Period: 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Electrochemical energy storage (EES) is crucial in the carbon-neutral future. Nevertheless, the current battery value chain has significant risks, especially concerning the supply of critical raw materials. eNargiZinc aims at developing new knowledge, technology and commercially exploitable products related to innovative and affordable next-generation EES devices, targeting long-term sustainability through the use of abundant and renewable materials and low environmental impact production processes. A rigorous training-through-research programme for eleven Doctoral Candidates (DCs) -eight DCs funded by the EU and three DCs funded by the UK national funding agency (UKRI)-has been designed through an interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach, involving studies on all the essential parts needed to develop sodium-ion batteries, zinc-air batteries, and zinc-ion batteries/supercapacitors. The research within eNargiZinc will focus on developing sustainable electrode materials (biomass-derived carbons and their composites, redox-active polymers, hybrid transition metal oxides, and interphases for anode-less concepts), electrolytes (solid-state and gel-polymer types), and, especially, on integrating all the developed components into full cells at an industrially-relevant scale. A Personalised Training Package for each DC will be tailored to allow them to acquire the required skills over the three years of employment within the network. To this aim, secondments to other partners (especially in the non-academic sector), training in complementary skills, and network-wide training events will be implemented. The consortium, which is composed of six beneficiaries and twelve associated partners, is addressed to achieve the objectives of eNargiZinc and is based on excellence, synergy and complementarity. Industrial partners will play a key role in the network, by providing the DCs with exposure to the private sector and access to industrially-relevant facilities, which are essential to validate the findings obtained at lab-scale
GRN: EP/Z001889/1
Period: 17/06/2024 to 16/06/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
There is currently an urgent need to achieve renewable based power grids, as a result of the environmental impact of fossil fuel generation as well as due to economic considerations. Wind energy has a significant role to play for the realization of renewable based grids. Nevertheless, achieving a high penetration of wind energy in power grids while retaining an efficient and reliable operation, is a non-trivial problem as a result of the complexity of wind energy systems.In particular, wind power generation is a multi-stage power conversion process, from wind energy to mechanical energy, DC electric power, and then AC electric power. Many models in the literature focus on only parts of this process which is inadequate to achieve a good performance when there is a high penetration of wind generation. Furthermore, potential undesirable oscillatory interactions between the diverse wind energy systems in a power grid further complicates their integration requiring advanced control mechanisms to be implemented.The proposed project aims to address this problem starting with the development of an advanced model for wind energy systems that incorporates its aggregate mechanical and electrical dynamics. This will then be used a basis for designing advanced control strategies for wind energy systems with a grid forming role that will ensure an efficient operation when there is a a large-scale integration of those in a power grid. The work will build upon the existing expertise of the fellow in power electronics and power systems and expertise in control engineering and power system dynamics of the host institution, so as to address this important multidisciplinary problem that is crucial for the realization of renewable based power grids
13/06/2024
5 new projects added
GRN: EP/Y035542/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/09/2032
Funding Source: EPSRC
The ESPRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Renewable Energy Northeast Universities Plus (ReNU+) is a transformative programme that will train a new generation of Doctoral Carbon Champions (DCCs) who are characterised by scientific and engineering excellence and capable of interdisciplinary systemic thinking to accelerate Net Zero. The outcome from ReNU+ will be that DCCs will meet critical needs in high-skill employment across industry, policy, education and government and convert key challenges in resilience and equity into economic opportunities for the United Kingdom. This will be achieved through a professionally accredited training programme in a thriving environment of research excellence led by Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham universities.The 2023-2035 energy landscape sets a compelling context for ReNU+ and in particular, the need for future leaders in this space in the United Kingdom. Locally generated renewable energy will provide the UK with increased energy security and critically important additions in electricity capacity to meet domestic and industrial demands. This is only one piece of the landscape however, which also includes sustainability (e.g. critical materials supply), resilience (e.g. climate change mitigation) and an equitable transition to Net Zero, which offers both economic and health benefits. The absorptive capacity for ReNU+ DCCs is partly evidenced by the forecast of 694,000 new UK jobs in the low carbon and renewable energy economy by 2030 (source: UK Local Government Association). The ReNU+ training programme has a core focus on developing key skills that facilitate understanding of and engagement with the wider Net Zero system including investment, regulation and end-user engagement. It will become a reference for high-skill training in Net Zero that redefines the role of scientists and engineers as critical catalysts for decarbonisation who deliver impact well beyond technology. ReNU+ identifies a critical link between equality, diversity and inclusivity and decarbonisation and includes key innovations to leverage this link. Consequently, DCCs will also develop societal and citizenship values as they become living examples of the future workforces to enable an equitable and sustainable transition to Net Zero. This approach has been validated by our partners who have co-designed and will co-deliver the ReNU+ training programme. This support includes national and local Government, multinational companies, small-to-medium enterprises and charity organisations
GRN: EP/Y035453/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/09/2032
Funding Source: EPSRC
The aim of this Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is to equip students with essential interdisciplinary skills needed by industry and to deliver cutting edge research in the area of superconductivity. The unique properties of superconducting materials mean that they can deliver revolutionary technologies which will help to decarbonize our energy production and improve healthcare. Superconductors are also an essential component in many quantum devices such as those used for quantum computing.The promise of limitless carbon free power promised by magnetically confined plasma nuclear fusion reactors can only be realised using superconducting magnets. Other major applications under development, which also will contribute to reducing carbon emissions include superconducting cables for electrical power transmission, light and powerful motors and generators for electric and hybrid power aircraft, superconducting magnetically levitating trains and high efficiency generators for wind-power generators. Development, manufacture, and deployment of these technologies needs people with the skills our CDT will deliver.Superconductors are also an essential component in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines used for medical diagnosis and this forms the majority of the current £7 billion per annum market in superconductors that is projected to double by 2030. Development of improved superconducting materials will transform MRI both in terms of reducing cost and thereby availability and enabling higher magnetic field strengths that increase resolution and enhanced diagnostic capabilities.We will capitalize on the UK's established leadership in superconductivity through the development of a CDT with cohort-based training that will engender teamwork and an interdisciplinary approach in close collaboration with industry and international research facility partners. This is crucial to drive the development of these groundbreaking superconducting technologies and to empower our graduates with the combination of technical and personal skills sought after by industry.The CDT brings together graduate superconductivity training in the Universities of Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge across their Physics, Material Science, Engineering and Chemistry departments. The CDT is created in partnership with 26 industrial companies, international research institutions and other educational institutions. Our training programme includes lecture-based learning, extensive practical training in relevant techniques and experimental methods as well as real-world experience at implementing the knowledge gained within projects based at one of our partners.The CDT will form a nucleus for the UK superconductivity community offering training and networking opportunities to those outside of the CDT.
GRN: EP/W005247/2
Period: 01/02/2024 to 20/09/2024
Funding Source: EPSRC
The direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulence and related phenomena, e.g. combustion, remains one of the great challenges in the mathematical and physical sciences. The range of length- and time-scales involved is significant, with extremely fast, finely structured, many-species reaction processes interacting non-linearly with large-scale turbulent motions. High-order numerical methods can provide efficient resolution but current approaches are based on high-order finite differences or (pseudo-)spectral methods, which are not well suited to complex geometries, and hence the study of real turbulence applications is very limited. The development of high-order numerical schemes for non-trivial geometries is of clear benefit to the numerical modelling and combustion communities. The aim of this project is to develop a promising new mesh-free framework for high-order DNS of turbulent reacting flows in arbitrarily complex geometries. Very recent developments of a high-order mesh-free method - the Local Anisotropic Basis Function Method (LABFM) - show promise in providing considerable geometric flexibility as well as high-order accuracy (e.g. 10th order in space). The intention of this feasibility study is to lay the foundations for the next generation of DNS codes, in a meshless framework, enabling simulations of flame-turbulence-structure interactions hitherto impossible. In the longer term this will result in a greater understanding, both fundamental and in application, of turbulent reacting flows, and will support the development of related technologies, such as hydrogen production at scale, cleaner combustion, and low calorific gas utilisation.
GRN: EP/Y017471/1
Period: 01/05/2024 to 30/04/2028
Funding Source: EPSRC
Decarbonisation of the UK's energy system will require substantial action at a regional and local level. Therefore, the UK's energy system is growing rapidly to a more decentralised model by 2050 with a great level of small-scale electricity and heat generation at the distribution level, where wind and solar renewable energies will play a large role. However, the intermittent nature of these renewable sources presents a great challenge in energy generation and load balance maintenance to ensure stability and reliability of the power network. This highlights the need for electricity storage technologies as they provide flexibility to store excess electricity for times when it is in demand. The majority of recent installations deploy fast response electricity storage systems (e.g. batteries) with short-duration electricity storage (minutes-days) and short-discharge duration of up to 4 hours. However, technologies with long-duration electricity storage (days-weeks) and medium-duration discharge of over 4 hours, with negligible capacity and efficiency degradation are required to ensure power supply security in all weather conditions (e.g. wind or solar energies are not available for several days).There are several possible technologies for long-duration energy storage, e.g., pumped-hydro storage, liquid air energy storage and compressed air energy storage (CAES). Among them, adiabatic CAES systems (ACAES) has the lowest installed energy capital costs (2-50$/kWh) for a wide range of storage applications from micro scale (few kW) to large scale (few MW). In conventional ACAES systems, the electricity is used to compress air in compressors, generating high levels of heat during the process. The heat of the compressed air is removed at the outlets of the compressors and stored in a thermal energy storage (TES) unit, while the cool compressed air is stored in a cavern at depths of hundreds of metres. To discharge the energy on demand, the cool compressed air heats up in the TES before expansion in turbines to generate electricity.Despite its promising features for decarbonising the electricity power system, there are major challenges which hinder further development of ACAES systems, including (1) limitations on the underground geology, (2) low roundtrip efficiency and (3) thermal and structural challenges on the TES unit because of high-temperature air at the outlets of the compressors. This proposal aims to address these major challenges through development of an affordable micro-scale co-generation near-isothermal and adiabatic CAES system with overground air storage vessels (micro-Ni-ACAES). The system utilizes near-isothermal and high-efficiency compressor/expander devices, TES and heat exchanger units based on an innovative composite phase change material and air storage vessels. The project will perform a fundamental experimental and modelling analyses to gain deep insight into the flow and thermal fields in the near-isothermal compressors/expanders as well as charging and discharging kinetics of the TES unit. Both isochoric and isobaric storage processes will be analysed. These fundamental studies will lead to efficient designs of the micro-Ni-ACAES system components and further support the development of a thermodynamics-based design tool. The design tool will be used to identify the system's optimum operating condition and control strategy for steady-state and dynamic operations of the system. Additionally, the project will include a techno-economic and environmental impact assessment in order to evaluate the economic viability of the system, as well as CO2 abatement and fossil fuel savings over the system's lifetime. The proposed high efficiency co-generation micro-Ni-ACAES systems are believed to be the future of the CAES technology, eventually culminating in decentralised microgrid power network in application to district energy network or commercial sectors (e.g. business parks).
GRN: EP/Z533130/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
SuperAIRE aims to establish a world-leading network connecting academia, industries, and policymakers across the spectrum of artificial intelligence (AI) for renewable energy (RE), particularly wind, solar, marine, and bio energy. This includes generation, storage, transmission/distribution and demand side management. These represent most of the research areas in the UKRI's Energy and Decarbonisation theme. With SuperAIRE, we aim to create the conditions in which AI for RE can be promoted much more rapidly than at present to boost the development and deployment of RE. We will not only exploit the transformative power of AI in different RE subsectors but also address common challenges and optimise performance across the RE ecosystem. Supported by a broad partnership currently with 30 partners across industry (23), leading R&I organisations (5), and policymakers (2), we will incubate a Supergen AI+RE research community seizing the opportunity to enhance the UK's role as a global leader in the intelligent and digital transformation of the RE sector.Despite the recent growth in all subsectors, progress in essential technologies supporting the lifecycles of RE systems lags behind. AI offers strategic advantages in overcoming the limitations of traditional methods which struggle to process the increasing complexity and big data in RE systems. It will enable decision-supporting digitalisation, operational efficiency optimisation, cost-effective integration, multi-scenario adaptability, and technological cross-applicability. Though there are some current critical masses in AI for RE, the communities are facing many challenges, e.g., the fragmented nature of the landscape, subsystem isolation, and limited scope. SuperAIRE will address these challenges by enabling shared learning on common research challenges in different RE subsectors through promoting novel generic approaches complemented with refinements tailored to subsector's unique needs; forging a holistic view to facilitate system-wide AI applications; and fostering comprehensive solutions that go beyond single-task focuses to exploit the full potential of AI in enhancing the RE ecosystem.SuperAIRE will carry out diverse activities to engage with stakeholders, facilitate knowledge exchanges, catalyse community coherence, identify cross-sector opportunities, address skill gaps, support nurturing high-skill professionals with multidisciplinary expertise, and disseminate project outcomes. These activities include four key challenge workshops, bimonthly seminars, flexible funds, outreach activities, an international conference, etc. SuperAIRE will support early career researchers (ECRs) from both academia and industry via a dedicated ECR Forum, a mentoring scheme, secondment opportunities, and ECR grants. We will emphasise Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all activities. Based on the current critical mass and emerging gaps and opportunities, we have also proposed six pre-defined research themes (RTs) to steer our Network+ activities, especially in guiding discussions, identifying challenges and opportunities, streamlining research coordination efforts, shaping a research landscape report, and developing a whitepaper. This includes RT1 Robust and trustworthy AI; RT2 Prediction and forecasting across scales; RT3 AI-powered digital twins; RT4 Intelligent control and management; RT5 Smart integration; and RT6 Intelligent robotics and autonomous systems in resource assessments, operations, and maintenance. Bolstered by strong support from project partners, we will consolidate core achievements and pursue the establishment of a new Supergen Hub in AI for RE at the end of SuperAIRE. Through these endeavours, we aim to enhance the efficiency, resilience, and affordability of RE, ultimately transforming the RE sector and addressing environmental challenges via AI
05/06/2024
6 new projects added
GRN: EP/Y035429/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 31/03/2033
Funding Source: EPSRC
Meeting emerging science and engineering modelling challenges requires scientists who can master complex theory and simulation techniques, can assimilate data, and can collaborate in multidisciplinary teams with expertise across a range of modelling scales. Securing the UK's position as a world-leading research hub into the future therefore requires a well-integrated pool of researchers with a skillset that is both broad and deep.HetSys is leading the way in addressing these needs by producing students with the tools necessary to meet the challenges of the future through our training programme. We are training the scientists who will develop the next generation of computational models, implemented in reusable software with robust error bars from uncertainty quantification (UQ), and who can learn from experimental and simulated data on an equal footing through advances in 'scientific machine-learning' (SciML). Linking heterogeneous materials models with UQ allows performance to be improved, enabling the technology needed to reach net zero through a step-change in design capability. The ongoing AI revolution has necessitated a redesign of our training programme to enable us to build on what we learnt during the first funding period and deliver our new vision. In particular, changes to our core training enable our students to (i) embed robust and sustainable research software engineering (RSE) in modelling; (ii) quantify modelling uncertainties through enhanced use of statistical methods; and (iii) exploit new trends in scientific machine learning.The research focus of HetSys on new paradigms in the behaviour of heterogeneous materials remains vital for the competitiveness of the UK's high-value manufacturing and automotive industries. Prominent examples of challenges we are addressing include the design of (i) energy materials for future vehicles with reduced carbon footprints; (ii) low dimensional and/or strongly correlated materials for quantum devices; (iii) high entropy alloys for fusion applications; (iv) biomolecules for combatting infectious diseases. Historically, the modelling pattern has focused on just one length- or time-scale; HetSys transforms this landscape by explicitly targeting the multiscale modelling of heterogeneous systems required by industry. The expertise we have accumulated opens up opportunities to capitalise on the transformative combination of mechanistic modelling with data-driven approaches (SciML). This requires a broader combination of disciplinary expertise, provided through our enhanced bespoke training programme.Only a cohort approach can train high-quality computational scientists who can develop and implement new modelling methods in close collaboration with other scientists. The cohesive, interdepartmental cohorts and training programme we are creating lower many of the current barriers to interdisciplinary work and demonstrate our vision for the future of scientific endeavour, where teams of researchers work together to combine their skills and expertise. Only a critical mass of students and a large and highly collaborative team of supervisors makes this targeted and fully inclusive training approach feasible. HetSys supports the delivery of EPSRC's Physical and Mathematical Sciences Powerhouse strategic priority, helping to provide the platform on which research and innovation across the sciences is built.
GRN: EP/Z002710/1
Period: 01/05/2024 to 30/04/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Improving the efficiency of Solar PV is the single most important enabler in reducing electricity costs and accelerating the deployment of this crucial renewable technology. The use of functional nanolayers in solar cells has been the single most important upgrade that enabled record-breaking efficiencies above 25%. To fully reach the potential of functional nanolayers, a physical, chemical, and mechanistic understanding of the interfaces is imperative. The recent focus on efficiency and rapid development has led to a 'trial and error' optimisation approach to improving performance, leading to a limited understanding of the underlying mechanism. This limited knowledge is constraining further enhancements of functional nanolayers, limiting the efficiency at around~26% for the last 9 years for single-junction silicon solar cell. In NanoPED, the focus is to develop an understanding of the physical structure as well as the device properties. The goal is to identify the structural changes and physical mechanisms that govern the operation of interfaces in solar cells, strategically linking the synthesis and processing to the atomic structure of functional nanolayer materials. By understanding the connection between the nanostructure and device operation, NanoPED will enable the rational design of these ground-breaking materials, providing ultimate control over the interface chemistry. Ultimately, opening a path to higher efficiencies for various solar cell structures. This will significantly reduce the price of solar energy, paving the way for accelerated adoption and delivering much-needed reductions in carbon dioxide emissions to address climate change concerns. This interdisciplinary project will build upon the fellow's strong engineering background into a high-level material science. This project will provide the fellow valuable experience and advanced expertise to pioneer new and advanced materials for optoelectronics devices
GRN: EP/Y020596/1
Period: 15/05/2024 to 14/05/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
In recent years, machine intelligence (MI) based on artificial neural networks has made enormous progress, entering almost all spheres of technology, economy and our everyday life. However, much of the field's current growth is reliant on an ever-increasing consumption of computational power, and as a consequence electrical power. This growing demand for larger and faster systems is unsustainable, even with the current focus on developing bespoke hardware for MI processes. Today's data centres already consume about 2% of the total power generated worldwide. This number is growing exponentially; IBM vice president of research, Mukesh Khare, extrapolated in 2019 that the power consumed by neural networks could exceed the world's electricity production by 2040. We must therefore urgently look for fundamentally new computational principles to drive MI.A promising solution to this problem is to use light, rather than electrons, as the primary carrier of information in artificial neural networks. In optical neural networks (ONNs) the wave properties of light - coherence and superposition - can streamline the "matrix multiplication" operation (the most computationally expensive operation in MI), thereby offering a new route to greatly enhance computational speeds, with dramatically lower power consumption.This project aims to advance a crucial component of the ONN: the activation function (AF). This nonlinear function is applied to each neural unit as information passes through the multiple layers of a "feedforward" neural network, serving as a "gasket" between the layers of matrix multiplications. In principle, the AF role can be played by any nonlinear optical element. In practice, however, implementation of large ONNs with purely optical AFs is challenging due to losses, lack of flexibility and error accumulation.Here we will use organic semiconductor devices to provide the activation function, with circuits of photodiodes and OLEDs transforming and transferring the signal between optical layers. This will allow us to condition the signal at each layer and correct for possible errors, while still exploiting the advantages of light propagation for the computationally expensive steps. OLED displays in smart phones can contain millions of emitters, and so the concept is potentially scalable to very large ONNs capable of performing very complex computational tasks.The project is a collaboration of two groups. The PIs at the University of St Andrews are leaders in organic semiconductor optoelectronics and the Oxford PI possesses world-leading expertise in optical computing hardware. The St Andrews group will develop the "activation chips" - integrated arrays applying the AF to multiple optical units. The Oxford group will incorporate these activation chips into ONN systems suitable for various applications. In particular, a conceptually novel ONN system for computer vision will be developed. This system will allow a neural network to "see" and interpret objects directly, bypassing the need for converting an image into an electronic form. Such a system will have ultra-low latency and could find applications in autonomous vehicles, remote sensing and intelligent robotics. We will also use the activation chips to implement the Oxford group's innovative approach to direct training of ONNs, which does not involve digital simulation and hence is both faster and more robust to errors.
GRN: EP/Z002168/1
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/08/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Offshore wind farms (OWFs) have become an important way of renewable energy utilization due to the advantages of rich resources, high utilization hours of power generation, and land saving. The produced power is often transmitted to the onshore power system by modular multi-level converter (MMC)-high voltage DC (HVDC) technologies. Therefore, both sides of the AC tie line between OWF and MMC are interfaced through power electronic devices having high controllability.OWFs often adopt the grid-following controller, and it has two control structures: decoupled current control (DCC) and decoupled sequence control (DSC). They are required to ride through a fault in modern power systems, so some innovative fault ride-through (FRT) strategies must be used so that the fault behaviors of OWFs are significantly different from synchronous generators (SGs).In addition, the MMC has two typical control modes: voltage-frequency (VF) control and grid-forming control. The control objective of the MMC is to provide a voltage and frequency reference for the OWF-MMC system. When the traditional VF control is used, the MMC does not have the current limiting function, so the MMC is easily blocked within an extra short time due to overcurrent if a fault occurs. To limit the fault current and control the system voltage, the grid-forming controller has been developed and become a research hotspot. However, the research on fault characteristics of the OWF-MMC system and their impact on protection performance is still in its infancy. Some incidents have happened outside and within the European Union (EU) since the protection scheme is not configured well. In the UK, the world's largest operating offshore wind farm-Hornsea was disconnected from the onshore grid in 2019 due to the wrong operation of the protection system. During this accident, the system frequency declined below 49 Hz and almost one million people across England and Wales experienced blackouts. Some blackouts and equipment damage have also been reported in the Germany Bard1 project partly due to improper protection and control configurations. Therefore, protection technologies for the OWF-MMC system are extremely important to maintain power supply reliability, device safety, and grid stability
GRN: EP/Z533129/1
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
A recent study by UK universities found that cooling currently accounts for 10-20% of the country's energy consumption, and the demand for cooling is expected to increase several-fold in the coming years. The Imperial College's Demand.ninja model shows that London is experiencing the fastest increase in cooling demand worldwide, mainly due to frequent and severe heatwaves. A separate study from the University of Oxford warns that the UK is unprepared for a 30% relative increase in cooling demand, the third-largest globally, after Ireland and Switzerland. Additionally, emerging sectors such as hydrogen production require significant cooling for efficient storage and distribution, with the production of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier being a high cooling demand process at 2.8 GJ/ton-ammonia.Cooling is an energy intensive practice. If we continue to use grid electricity to power cooling systems, along with the increasing demand for other uses like electric vehicles, the grid will become significantly strained, hindering its decarbonisation. The Reef-UKC network aims to lead research in discovering the next generation of renewable energy technologies to meet the growing demand for cooling. We'll undertake evidence-based, multidisciplinary research using pump-priming funds and networking activities to leverage renewable energy sources for cooling. Our research will maximise system-level integration benefits while addressing the unique challenges of the UK's economic, environmental, societal, behavioural, and political contexts. Since cooling is a multidimensional challenge, we will focus on several fronts (F) to achieve our goals.F1: Develop efficient renewable-powered cooling system-level solutions to meet the existing and future demand for cooling, specifically in rapidly growing sectors, e.g., Hydrogen, data centres.F2: Consider environmental and social impacts and behavioural changes.F3: Contemplate Cold economy, business modelling, sustainability, and design for circularity.F4: Integrate the developed solutions with the developed cooling (and potentially heating) networks approaches by other research initiatives. F5: Develop policies and regulatory frameworks to incentivise the adoption of the technology packages and communication with the UK government and local authorities
GRN: ES/Z502728/1
Period: 01/10/2024 to 30/11/2027
Funding Source: ESRC
It is widely recognised that low density development is unsustainable and generates significant Green House Gases (GHGs). Nevertheless, most UK development is built on greenfield land where public transportation is poor and services are scarce. If the UK is serious about 'net zero', then new ways of planning and developing are urgently required.'Urban retrofit' is defined as repairing existing places by adapting urban form to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, protect the environment and support sustainable lifestyles. Changes to the layout of neighbourhoods are starting to be delivered, including via infrastructure programmes such as separated bike lanes, planning policies that encourage high-densities, and community-based projects like urban greening.The problem is that implementation is slow, fragmented and increasingly controversial. Investment often flows to affluent places rather than communities in the greatest need of support, and the principal actors in the UK's planning and development systems face various delivery challenges. Planning authorities struggle with institutional inertia and time-limited funding meaning retrofitting is poorly coordinated. Property developers stick to tried and tested business models to reduce risk resulting in a preference for low density, mono-use greenfield development rather than mixed-use projects on brownfield land. Communities face capacity challenges and place adaptation is often contested. If the UK is to meet its net zero targets and achieve a just transition, then urban retrofitting must be prioritised, equitably directed and implemented more effectively.URBAN RETROFIT UK will be led by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence and coproduced with international, national and local planning, property and community partners, including in five UK core cities - Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow and Sheffield. Its aim is to examine the barriers to urban retrofitting, challenge the prevailing growth-logic of planning and development, and coproduce a conceptual framework plotting the critical points of intervention needed to scale up retrofitting through planning and development systems. The objectives are to:Conduct a global evidence review on urban retrofit informed by international partners and a study tour.Identify and investigate a series of urban retrofit cases in collaboration with local authority partners to understand what is working and pinpoint where implementation gaps could be closed.Work with partners to understand where the spatial inequalities of current urban retrofit practice lie and how the barriers to 'scaling up' effective and equitable practices could be addressed.Establish an international URBAN RETROFIT HUBS network between UK and Global North cities facing comparable place-adaptation challenges and initiate new two-way learning partnerships with Global South cities where the context for urban retrofit is different but opportunities exist to explore lesson-sharing. To maximise knowledge exchange across sectoral boundaries and between places, URBAN RETROFIT UK's findings will be shared throughout the project at jointly delivered events with UK partners and internationally via the URBAN RETROFIT HUBS network. New theoretical perspectives on the UK's planning and development systems and coproduced empirical evidence on urban retrofit will be shared through an international symposium and evidence review, a report, film and magazine articles, and academic outputs including articles and an edited book
