Batteries research in Cambridge covers battery life, safety, energy & power density, reliability and recyclability of advanced batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cell type of batteries.
Electrical vehicles (EVs) are vital in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Most electric vehicles on the road today are powered by lithium-ion batteries, due in part to their high energy density. However, as EV use becomes more widespread, the push for longer ranges and faster charging times means that current battery materials need to be improved, and new materials need to be identified.
Research is also taking place on demonstrating large-scale and high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries and a future beyond lithium-ion batteries.
Some key centres and initiatives include:
- Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG)
- Energy Storage Research Network
- Faraday Institution
- Royce Institute
- Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability
- Centre of Advanced Materials for Integrated Energy Systems (CAM-IES)
Spin outs:
Nyobolt, ultra-fast charging batteries.
Echion Technologies, develops anode material which enables 6x faster charging than conventional Li-ion batteries, with significantly improved safety and cycle life.
Illumion works to visualize energy storage processes in real time.
Researchers working in this area:
| Prof Laura Diaz Anadon | Professor of Climate Change Policy |
| Prof Adam Boies |
Professor of Nanomaterials and Aerosol Engineering
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| Prof Manish Chhowalla |
Professor of Materials Science Member of the Energy IRC Steering Committee |
| Prof Stuart Clarke | Professor of Physical Chemistry |
| Prof Jonathan Cullen |
Professor of Sustainable Engineering Member of the Energy IRC Steering Committee |
| Prof Vikram Deshpande | Professor of Materials Engineering |
| Prof Sian Dutton |
Professor of Physics and Solid State Chemistry Member of the Energy IRC Steering Committee |
| Prof Norman Fleck | Professor of Mechanics of Materials (1997) |
| Dr Alex Forse |
University Assistant Professor in Electrochemical CO2 Capture Member of Energy IRC Steering Committee |
| Prof Dame Clare Grey | Professor in Chemistry |
| Prof Akshay Rao | Professor in Physics and Solid State |
| Prof Michael de Volder |
Professor of Structural Engineering Member of Energy IRC Steering Committee |
| Prof Dominic Wright |
Professor of Inorganic Chemistry
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