Molecular Manufacturing of Macroscopic Objects - fellowship Stoyan Smoukov

This interdisciplinary proposal proposes a molecular basis for Manufacturing for the Future,[a1] to grow many types of particles in a nature-inspired way. It offers scalability, near-full utilization of the material, and the ability to carry out transformations at near ambient conditions. Manufacturing in nature spans the scales from intricate ...

The National Centre for Nuclear Robotics (NCNR)

Nuclear facilities require a wide variety of robotics capabilities, engendering a variety of extreme RAI challenges. NCNR brings together a diverse consortium of experts in robotics, AI, sensors, radiation and resilient embedded systems, to address these complex problems. In high gamma environments, human entries are not possible at all. In alpha-contaminated environments, air-fed suited human entries are possible, but engender significant secondary waste (contaminated suits), and reduced worker capability. We have a duty to eliminate the need for humans to enter such hazardous environments wherever technologically possible. Hence, nuclear robots will typically be remote from human controllers, creating significant opportunities for advanced telepresence. However, limited bandwidth and situational awareness demand increased intelligence and autonomous control capabilities on the robot, especially for performing complex manipulations. Shared control, where both human and AI collaboratively control the robot, will be critical because i) safety-critical environments demand a human in the loop, however ii) complex remote actions are too difficult for a human to perform reliably and efficiently.

All-printed thermoelectric generators

Organic thermoelectric materials are in the early stages of development, and the excitement surrounding them lies in their low cost, solution processability (they can be printed) and their mechanical flexibility. In short, they could revolutionise thermoelectric power generation. In this project, an OTEG will be fabricated on paper by a novel printing process. It is a cheap, scalable process that is much-needed for OTEGs to become reality. Furthermore, this project follows the conviction that a fundamental understanding of OTEG device physics will accelerate the development of improved thermoelectric materials

Understanding the excited states in carbon dots and hybrids for solar fuels production

ISCF Wave 1:Designing Electrodes for Na Ion Batteries via Structure Electrochemical Performance Correlations

Predictive Modelling for Nuclear Engineering (Early Career Fellowship)

To develop numerical models that predict the coupled neutronics-thermal hydraulics physics with nuclear reactor cores and to quantify the uncertainties in these predictions.

Bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions derived from Argentinian

GREENCARBON

LIGNOCAP - Lignin-derived carbon fiber flexible supercapacitors

Hierarchical fibre-reinforced composites with nano-engineered interfaces for multifunctional lightweight structures

The aim of this project is to develop a multifunctional composite with integrated damage sensing, de-icing, and electromagnetic (EM) absorption capabilities based on nano-engineered interfaces, with the emphasis on lightweight engineering structures. The tailored electrical properties are utilised for in-situ damage detection based on electrical sensing method, as well as the EM absorption and de-icing applications.

From water hyacinth parasite to energy using hydrothermal carbonisation

Bifunctional Hybrid Electrocatalysts

The high cost of the noble metal catalysts employed in energy devices is one of the major drawbacks to their full development and exploitation. There are many reports new materials that can overcome state-of-the-art limitations. However, not much research has been done to understand the structure-property relationships to allow an improved performance. This project aims to create transition metal perovskite/nitrogen-doped carbon electrospun nanofibres as alternative cost-efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts to replace noble metals in energy conversion and storage devices. At the same time, we will develop new in situ studies that will allow a deeper understanding of the structure-property relationships allowing for further optimisation.

Postgraduate Studentship

TRANSIT

TRANSIT (Towards a Robust Airport Decision Support System for Intelligent Taxiing) is a four site project between Queen Mary University of London, the University of Sehffield, University of Stirling and Cranfield University, funded by the UK EPSRC (grant numbers EP/N029496/1, EP/N029356/1, EP/N029577/1). The lead at each site is, respectively, Dr Jun Chen, Prof Mahdi Mahfouf, Dr John Woodward and Dr Mudassir Lone, with Dr Chen as the overall project director. The project also has an extensive list of industrial partners, which currently includes Air France – KLM, BAE Systems, Manchester Airport Plc, Rolls-Royce Plc, Simio LLC and Zurich Airport. The TRANSIT project aims to develop a unified routing and scheduling system which will be more Realistic, Robust, Cost-effective and Configurable, producing better conformance of flight crew in response to 4 Dimensional Trajectories.

Development of a new class of adaptable self-supporting hydroxide-ion conducting membranes

We are making self-supporting membranes based on MOF nanofibres, which have a high intrinsic hydroxide ion conductivity.

Sustainable Redox Flow Batteries, EPSRC and the Centre of Advanced Materials for Integrated Energy Systems (CAM-IES) (in collaboration with UCL).

Redox flow batteries represent a remarkable low cost alternative for grid-scale energy storage. They often employ carbon felts as the electrodes, but the activity towards the redox reactions are often poor, leading to low operating power densities. Additionally, the complex flow characteristics of the electrodes are often not well understood. This project aims to synthesise novel electrode structures from sustainable carbon sources via electrospinning, which will allow control of physical characteristics such as porosity, surface area and fibre size, but also to incorporate chemical species that help enhance the kinetics of the redox processes. Advanced x-ray imaging will provide a unique insight into the microstructural properties of the electrodes, and electrochemical testing in a full flow battery system will help identify new materials that will lead to improved flow battery performance and durability.