Background: MEng Chem Eng, University of Sheffield (2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Peter Styring, University of Sheffield

Project: Designing a District Heating Network for a rural location. - Heat storage, demand variability and network design for a rural location, using Monte Carlo simulations and Goldsim software (www.goldsim.com) to assess the accuracy of a district heating network powered by waste heat from a nearby industrial lead smelter in the Darley Dale

Background: MEng Mech Eng University of Warwick (2011), Engineer for Jee Ltd (2011-2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Andrew Cruden, University of Southampton

Project: ELEctrochemical Vehicle Advanced TEchnology. - Focusing on the potential type and size of off-vehicle energy stores for high rate EV charging capability; looking into capabilities and costs of energy stores suitable for use as the off-vehicle energy store; future fast charging usage; grid impacts of high power connections, and with experiments to characterise and diagnose a range of energy stores at high C-rates.

Post-CDT career: Tom is an Energy Systems Researcher for Hitachi Europe Ltd.

Background: MEng Mech Eng Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2013), MSc Env Eng University of Newcastle (2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Martin Mayfield, University of Sheffield

Project: Energy Storage Characteristics of Smart Grid Optimised Buildings - Exploring the hypothesis that the energy storage characteristics of buildings will play a crucial role in ensuring that they function as an effective sub-system of a smart grid. Investigating how buildings can be optimised for a smart grid through design and incorporated energy storage systems. Seeking to identify the optimal dispatch strategies and determine the relationship between building design, energy demand and energy storage profiles.

Post-CDT career: Andreas is now a part time student and is not due to complete until 2022

Background: MEng Mech Eng University of Southampton (2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Andrew Cruden, University of Southampton

Project: ELEctrochemical Vehicle Advanced TEchnology." Design, build and test of a high rate electric vehicle charging station, employing an off-vehicle energy store, linked to the ESPRC project “ELEVATE” EP/M009394/1. Investigation of off-vehicle energy store types, design/control to meet charging demand profile, electric grid modelling and power electronics design.

Post-CDT career: George is an Analyst Consultant in the Sustainable Transport team at Ricardo Energy and Environment.

Background: MPhys University of Southampton (2014)

Supervisor: Dr Richard Wills, University of Southampton

Project: High Specific Energy Aluminium-Ion Rechargeable Decentralized Electricity Generation Sources. - Linked to the Horizon 2020 project (H2020-NMP-2014 ALION) which aims develop a cheap, safe and reliable aluminium-ion battery for use with decentralised energy sources. Materials selection and characterisation (electrochemical techniques, XRD, SEM, XPS) in order to produce aluminium-ion cells using aqueous electrolyte. The performance of these cells will be characterised (energy density, efficiency, cycle life, rate capability) and optimised before comparison with cells produced by ALION project partners which utilise the use of ionic liquid electrolytes.

Post-CDT career: Alex is a Product Development Analyst with Opus Energy (part of the Drax Group).

Background: MChem University of Leeds (2013), Chemist for GE Water/Direct Water Maintenance (2013-2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Martin Mayfield, University of Sheffield

Project: "Energy Storage Characteristics of Future Cities. Examining the effect of sizing, location, and control of electrical energy storage on the ability of such technologies to provide voltage, thermal, and security of supply support to LV urban networks. Basic and 'Smart' control algorithms are being developed for integration into imbalanced load flow models.

Post-CDT career: Richard is a Research Associate in Urban Power Network and Renewable Energy Analysis in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield.

Background: MPhys, University of Sheffield (2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Ian Reaney, University of Sheffield

Project: High Energy Density Multi-Layer Solid State Capacitors. - Linked with EPSRC grant ‘Substitution and Sustainability in Functional Materials and Devices’ and affiliated with the NSF funded ‘Centre for Dielectric and Piezoelectrics’ the project will synthesise/characteriseMALI-type phases for capacitor applications,  and dielectric-type polymers to optimise interface barrier layers, and produce proto-type MLC devices to demonstrate proof-of-concept.

Background: MSc Mat Eng University of Cambridge (2001), Senior Analyst for Committee on Climate Change (2008 – 2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Nuria Garcia-Araez, University of Southampton

Project: Li-selective membranes for Li-air batteries.- Soluble redox catalysts produce a drastic improvement in battery performance but degradation reactions/battery self-discharge is a problem. Lithium conductive ceramics will be investigated in lithium-air batteries to prevent the reaction of oxygen on the Li electrode.

Post-CDT career: Nina is a Post Doctoral Rsearcher in the Faraday Institution Multiscale Modelling Fast Start project at Imperial College London.

Background: MEng Chem Eng, University of Sheffield (2014)

Supervisor: Dr. Solomon Brown, University of Sheffield

Project: High density heat storage for homes - The area of research I am looking into is in the field of phase change materials (PCMs) for high density heat storage in homes. This will involve modelling PCM based underfloor heat storage, investigating different materials choices and determining the success of these models by empirical comparison. The models will also be 2D and 3D in order to determine what, if any effect that this has on the accuracy of solution and any other associated trade-offs. This investigation via numerical methods is undertaken to improve the thermal properties, system performance or validate and comprehend physical behaviour

Background: MEng Chem Eng, University of Sheffield (2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Beverely Inkson, University of Sheffield

Project: In-situ Liquid Microscopy for next generation nanostructured battery design. - Novel nanoscale electrode designs to maintain electrode integrity under long term cyclic charging, with nano-fibre and graphene reinforcements, including Si-nanocomposites will be fabricated/evaluated in prototype battery cells. In-situ battery testing using liquid microscopy facilities, in-situ electrochemical cycling to characterise the battery material phase transformations in real time

Background: BSc Chemistry University of Bath (2011), MSc European Mineral Eng University of Exeter (2012), Metallurgist for SGS Minerals Services UK Ltd (2012-2014)

Supervisor: Prof. Nuria Garcia-Araez, University of Southampton

Sponsor: QinetiQ

Project: Improved Battery Electrode Materials. - with Qinetiq. Advanced Li-ion cell systems and materials, including operation at higher temperature, looking at suitable anode and cathode couples as well as appropriate electrolyte compositions. The challenge is to achieve voltage and capacity with a reasonable stability over cycle number and time.

Post CDT-career: Dan is now a research fellow within the Energy Technology Group at the Univesrity of Southampton, on a Thermal Runway Faraday Institution project