Thursday, 05 September 2019
Research to focus on industry-defined goals to improve performance of electric vehicles
The University of Nottinghamis one of five UK-based consortia to receive a share of up to £55 million from the Faraday Institutionto conduct application-inspired research to make step changes in the development of battery chemistries, systems and manufacturing methods.
The new projects, for the first time, include the University of Nottingham as a consortium partner, further strengthening the Faraday Institution’s network of member universities. The new project will create two new positions for early career researchers in Nottingham, many of whom are expected to move into battery science and engineering from other fields.
Next generation research
The School of Chemistry will be conducting research into improving batteries used for transport and energy storage, examining thechemical composition of batteries to create the next generation for electric vehicles. The research will be carried out in the university’s world-class GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory and is part of the Alternative cell chemistry beyond lithium ion–LiSTAR, Lithium-Sulfur Technology Accelerator which will be led byUniversity College London and will be funded up to a maximum of £7.8m.
The University of Nottingham will work alongside five other university partners and seven industrial partners to enable rapid improvements in Li-S technologies by generating new knowledge, materials and engineering solutions, thanks to its dual focus on fundamental research at material and cell level, and an improved approach to system engineering. If the potential of Li-S is realised it would take batteries for automotive and other applications beyond the inherent limitations of Li-ion chemistry: Li-S is one of the most promising and mature alternative technologies available. The Principal Investigator of this consortia is Professor Paul Shearing of UCL. Other consortia partners are Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, University of Southampton and University of Surrey.
This project could revolutionise the battery market and will result in the training of a large number of battery scientists. The resulting injection of talent into the emerging battery industry will directly benefit the Midlands region, which already has a strong footprint in the electrification of the automotive sector.
There are a total of five new projects in four focus areas joining the existing Faraday Institution research projects that collectively aim to deliver the organisation’s mission toaccelerate breakthroughs in energy storage technologies to benefit the UK in the global race to electrification. This expanded portfolio has the duel aims of improving current generation lithium ion batteries as well as longer horizon materials discovery and optimisation projects to support the commercialisation of next-generation batteries.
UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said, “Bringing together experts across industry and academia, this exciting research will grow our understanding of battery chemistries and manufacturing methods, with the potential to significantly improve the UK’s ability to develop the high-performance electric vehicles of the future.”
Business Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “Today’s funding backs scientists and innovators to collaborate on projects that will deliver a brighter, cleaner future on our roads. We are committed to ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of developing the battery technologies needed to achieve our aim for all cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040.”
The projects, which are expected to run over four years, address battery challenges faced by industry and leverage the UK’s world-class research capabilities to advance scientific knowledge with the aim of commercialising new battery technologies and processes.
Three of the Faraday Institution’s four existing projects are focused on improving current generation lithium-ion battery chemistry, performance and recyclability. The fourth is seeking to address the scientific barriers facing the commercial realisation of solid-state batteries. These projects were launched early in 2018, totalling £42m and involve over 200 researchers from 20 universities, with their 30+ industrial partners.
The topics for the new research projects were chosen after consultation with industry, academia, local and central government and other stakeholders at workshops held across the UK in 2018. Industry partners will work closely with university researchers for the duration of the projects. This collaboration will ensure that the research produces findings and solutions that meet the needs of the UK’s businesses. The 32 industrial partners involved in the projects announced today have pledged a total of £4.4 million in in-kind support. The terms of the awards are currently being finalised.
Neil Morris, CEO of the Faraday Institution, said, “It is imperative that the UK takes a lead role in increasing the efficiency of energy storage as the world moves towards low carbon economies and seeks to switch to clean methods of energy production. Improvements in EV cost, range and longevity are desired by existing EV owners and those consumers looking to purchase an EV as their next or subsequent car. Our research to improve this web of battery performance indicators (which are different for different sectors) are being researched, with a sense of urgency, by the Faraday Institution and its academic and industrial partners. Our fundamental research programmes are putting the UK at the forefront of this disruptive societal, environmental and economic change.”
The Faraday Institution welcomes approaches by industry representatives who wish to explore the possibility of collaborating in its research projects and skills development initiatives.
For more information on the Faraday Institution, visit faraday.ac.ukor follow @FaradayInst on twitter.
Story credits
More informationis available from Dr Lee Johnson, in the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0) 115 7487069, lee.johnson@nottingham.ac.uk or Lindsay Brooke or Jane Icke, Media Relations Managers for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 9515751, lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk. Or Louise Gould at the Faraday Institute, louise.gould@faraday.ac.uk, 01235 425127 (office), 07741 853073 (mobile)
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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