PhD Research Studentships

Flexible Energy storage Devices based on Lignin-Derived Carbon Fibres

Supervisor:
Apply by:29 February 2016

Description

This is a collaborative research project between Innventia in Sweden, Stockholm and QMUL, School of Engineering and Materials Science. Inventia  is a research and development company in Sweden that works with innovations based on forest raw materials. With decades of research and development experience, Innventia has developed resource-efficient processes and products using renewable raw materials. One of the latest programs in R&D coming from Innventia, is the production of carbon fibres from Kraft Lignin, a side product in the paper and pulping industry.  These carbon fibres can be produced via various methods such as electrospinning and melt spinning. The structure of the initial lignin precursor nicely correlates with the resulting properties of the carbon fibres such as mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, etc.

The idea of this collaborative project will be to use the carbon fibre samples from Innventia at QMUL, in the research group of Prof. Titirici as a flexible and conductive substrate to manufacture flexible supercapacitors. Flexible energy storage devices are attracting increasing attention as they show unique advantages such as flexibility, shape diversity, light weight enabling applications in portable, flexible and even wearable devices including soft electronic products, roll-up displays and wearable devices.

The PhD candidate will work in a multidisciplinary project involving synthesis on carbon nanomaterials based on the modification of lignin carbon fibers, structural characterisation using electron microscopy, XPS, XRD, Raman, etc and electrochemical characterisation using techniques such as Cycling Voltametry or Impedance Spectroscopy. Finally, assembly and manufacturing of real devices in expected towards the end of the project along with their performance evaluation as flexible supercapacitors.

Research Group: Functional Nanomaterials

QMUL Research Studentship Details

  • Available to Home/EU/International Applicants
  • Full Time programme only
  • Applicants required to start in September/October 2016.
  • The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend (£16,057 in 2015/16) for up to three years.
  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • International applicants should refer to the following website at http://www.qmul.ac.uk/international/index.html
  • If English is not your first language then you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking).  

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Prof Magdalena Titirici
Tel: 020 7882 6272
E-mail: m.m.titirici@qmul.ac.uk

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Materials Science programme (Full Time, Semester 1 start) please follow the link displayed on the following webpage:

http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/materials/index.html

Further Guidance available via: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/applyresearchdegrees/index.html

Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2016 QMRS SEMS MMT’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity. 

Eligibility

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
  • Candidates are expected to start in (Semester ).
  • SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
  • Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
  • Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact .