PhD Studentship: 3D Printing Next Generations of Batteries: Alumina-based Solid-state Electrolyte for Electric Vehicles

Project details

This research is jointly funded by two of the UK’s most prestigious academic and research organisations, Loughborough University and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), and further supported by the Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (AM-COE), and other industrial partners. 

The project provides the successful candidates with an opportunity to liaise with several research and manufacturing entities and enjoy groundbreaking research in a fast-evolving industry which is a significant contribution to the reduction of the carbon footprint in the world. 

This research aims to design a new material formulation and 3D printing process to manufacture a solid-state electrolyte for the next generation of solid-state batteries. The intended 3D printing process for this research is vat-photo polymerisation (also known as DLP or SLA 3D printing), and the research involves the design of a new alumina-beta resin slurry for this additive manufacturing process, followed by optimising the print parameters, and post-print sintering process to achieve the required spec for the electrolyte. 

The main objective is to design a material and printing and post-printing process to manufacture a solid-state electrolyte made of alumina-beta, which has a dense middle section, with two porous ends, in which the cathode and anode will be cast to make the battery.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Dr Ehsan Sabet
Secondary supervisor: Sherry Ghanizadeh ([email protected] ).

Entry requirements

Applicants should have qualified with, or expect to obtain, an upper second-class bachelor’s degree in material science, mechanical engineering, or polymers/chemical engineering, with a good understanding of additive manufacturing processes (in particular stereolithography or vat-photo polymerisation). A relevant master’s degree and/or equivalent practical experience will be an advantage.

Willingness to work in a team, travel to supporting organisations, work flexible working hours, and report to the consortium are required. Excellent academic writing skills, research design skills, material testing, and characterisation capabilities, and a good understanding of ceramics and solid-state batteries are desirable.

Fees and funding

The studentship is funded between Loughborough University and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and provides a tax-free stipend of at least £27,190 per annum (2023/24 rate) for 3 years plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Due to funding restrictions, the studentship is only available to those eligible to pay UK fees.

How to apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering’, and quote the advert reference number ‘ES-MTC-2023R’ under the financial support section of the application.

Please submit a CV and the minimum supporting documents by the advert closing date.