Dr Patrick Cullen
MChem, PhD, FHEA

Research Funding

Previous Funded Research Projects

Evaluation of hydrogen evolution in pressurised reactor Funding source: Paramirum Limited Start: 01-08-2022  /  End: 05-09-2024 A number of unusual experiments suggest that there is an intense reaction, at ambient temperature, between certain otherwise inert gases and iron when left to react at high pressures. The processes may or may not involve catalysis. The aim of the project is to understand the mechanism of the reaction by constructing a vessel that is instrumented in order to reveal changes during the course of the reaction.

Advanced Manufacturing of 3D Porous Electrodes for Redox Flow Batteries Funding source: Faraday Institution, The Start: 01-06-2022  /  End: 31-05-2023 Redox flow batteries are potentially transformative energy storage technologies enabling increased renewable electricity to be incorporated onto the grid, off-grid capability for local communities and back-up power for utilities. Current wide-spread adoption is hindered by engineering issues of the large-scale battery stacks, low power densities due to non-optimised electrodes, and the high-cost of vanadium (the most commercially available chemistry). This focused sprint project will seek to address these key issues by using easily scalable technologies that allow for flexibility in design and manufacture of RFB electrodes in a cost effective manner. This project will combine two highly flexible manufacturing methods, 3D printing and electrospinning, to develop an innovative concept of 3D electrode that will enable optimised mass transport and electrochemical properties of the electrode, validated in an all-vanadium RFB.

2-Dimensional Materials for Novel Battery Electrodes Funding source: EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Start: 06-01-2020  /  End: 05-05-2021 There is an urgent need for the development and manufacture of advanced batteries for the electrification of vehicles in order to enable long, energy efficient trips on a single, fast charge with minimal loss of capacity and exceptionally high safety standards. Critical to achieving this aim is improving the capability of battery technology. By making new active materials for Li -ion and Na-ion batteries I aim to improve battery capacity, charge time and power.