Advanced Materials and Electrochemical Engineering

This polymer science work aims to tackle challenges in:

• sustainability
• health
• food
• environmental areas

We have a strong focus on biopolymers (polysaccharides and proteins). We source them from renewable biomass, to develop biodegradable and biocompatible ‘green’ materials.

We also study the functionality of polysaccharides for food applications.

We aim to realise unique structures (macro-, nano- and molecular-scales). This means we can deliver polymeric materials and composites with high performance. The research also looks at suitable end-of-life consideration for specific applications.

We are investigating methods of monitoring cardiac biomarkers and antimicrobial resistance. We explore the detection of antibiotics and of pathogenic bacteria. Traditional recognition elements use antibodies or enzymes. Our research involves synthetic receptors, including Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) and aptamers. MIPs can compete with antibodies in specificity and selectivity. We also have the advantages of low cost, versatility, and robustness.

Another important factor is animal welfare. Recombinant antibody technology exists, but the EU still uses one million animals per year to produce antibodies.

Molecular imprinting is entirely animal-free. The technology is gaining its first commercial success in sensors.

We actively collaborate with industry. Recent projects include:

• a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Cambridge Medical Technologies
• an NC3Rs CRACK IT grant with MIPDiagnostics to develop new sensors for cardiac biomarkers

We are also working with KU Leuven and Maastricht University, exploring how to improve sensor specificity.

Dr Alasdair Charles is working in the areas of environment assisted cracking and high temperature corrosion to support pipeline and power station technologies. Other corrosion projects on surgical implants and archaeological artefact corrosion are on-going with related research groups.

Dr Shayan Seyedin leads our research activities on digital materials manufacturing. Our research connects the science of frontier nanoscale materials with advanced fabrication technologies. We create next-generation structures and devices, which have practical applications such as flexible and wearable energy storage and sensing. We are reimagining wearable technology through innovation in materials design and fabrication.

Our research has key themes:

• engineering electroactive materials across scale
• integrating function through advanced fabrication
• enabling human interconnectivity through digital data
• wearable sensing technology
• wearable energy storage

Professor Mohamed Mamlouk's research focus is on energy storage and conversion using electrochemical technologies. This includes fuel cells, electrolysers, metal-air and redox flow batteries.

He explores Membrane Science and Engineering. He is investigating (alkaline) Anion Exchange Membranes technology with non-noble metal catalysts.

His work also contributes to improving industrial wastewater treatment, recycle and recovery.

Professor Keith Scott is an Emeritus Professor. He leads research in fuel cells. Topics include:

• polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)
• catalysts, membrane electrolytes, electrolysers, hydrogen and energy storage, high temperature PEMFC
• alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells
• direct methanol and alcohol fuel cells
• biological and microbial fuel cells
• electrolysis cells

His research also explores:

• water treatment
• lithium-air and metal-air batteries
• modelling and optimisation
• functional materials for membranes and electrocatalysts
• mechanisms of transport and electron transfer

cell and stack testing and characterisation

Professor Paul Christensen investigates all aspects of lithium-ion batteries. He works to improve safety in electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems.

He explores the abuse of lithium-ion batteries from cell to system scale. He investigates the processes leading up to and triggering thermal runaway, ignition and explosion.

He carries out research on safe storage, asset protection and sensing, and firefighting procedures.

Professor Mark Geoghegan leads the research in this area. Our focus includes:

• polymer adhesion, including bioadhesion
• structure-property relationships in polymer electronics
• polymer film formation
• soft nanotechnology
• bioelectronics
• reversible adhesion
• bioadhesion
• organic electronics
• polymers at surfaces and interfaces

We investigate the prediction of materials properties and their behaviour in service. To do this, we use computer simulation techniques at various length scales, coupled with physical experiments.

We used molecular dynamics simulations to study lubricated gear tooth contacts.

We use ab initio methods and classical molecular dynamics to investigate hydrogen embrittlement in high strength steels.

We use computer simulations as a starting point in designing novel materials such as high entropy alloys. High entropy alloys (HEAs) are a new generation of metallic alloys. They tend to form stable solid solutions with properties not achievable in conventional alloys. These properties include oxidation and corrosion resistance, high strength and resistance to creep.

Dr Adrian Oila is a first point of contact on this topic.

Professor Lidija Siller leads research into energy materials inspired by nature. We are developing new processes and composite materials inspired by study of insects, shells and plants, for energy conversion and thermal savings (insulation and thermoelectrics). We are also exploring such approach in water purification and for carbon capture, storage, and utilisation (CCSU).

Aerogels and nanomaterials

Aerogels are among the lightest and most porous nanomaterials. We are exploring their use in a diverse range of applications. Some are energy-related, such as thermal insulation, electrodes for energy conversion and thermoelectric. Some are environmental, such as water purification and geothermal management. Others are relevant to manufacturing, such as catalyst supports and paints.

We also investigate other nanomaterials for use in these applications. These include:

• carbon materials (nanodiamonds, CNT, graphene)
• magnetic and semiconducting materials (silicon nanocrystals, TiOx, ZnO, Bi2O3 etc)
• metal nitrides

More than 60% of the world's energy consists of waste heat, and 40% of these losses are from buildings. We are developing aerogels as a superinsulation. We need to make this technology affordable, so that every home will be able to retrofit and use it.

Inspiration from dragonflies - cheaper renewable energy and improved insulation

We have found that dragonfly wings are aerogels. We have developed a new way of drying aerogels, taking our inspiration from how dragonfly wings dry. Together with Advanced Science News, we produced a video describing this research.

We have now patented and licensed our discovery. We have established a spin-out company with Newcastle University, Dragonfly Insulation Ltd.

Carbon capture

Global warming from CO2 emissions is huge. To combat it, we contribute to the development of green technologies. We are also developing economical processes for immediate use. The processes use catalysis for CO2 capture and mineralisation into carbonates. They provide permanent storage at current large point sources of CO2 emission. Coal plants, gas plants, waste plants, and desalination plants are still our main sources of energy. These power plants will soon need CO2 capturing technologies. They will need to mitigate carbon penalties for their carbon footprints.

Catalysis inspiration from sea urchins

We have studied sea urchins and how they mineralise their bones into calcium and magnesium carbonates. We have discovered an inorganic catalyst that accelerates the conversion of CO2 to carbonic acid.

Conversion of CO2 to carbonic acid is the first step in mineralisation. Mineralisation is a slow process but emissions of CO2 are continuous and at a large volume. Thus, we need to speed up the process. We have investigated a continuous process for mineralisation that uses our catalysts. We have licensed our patent to a third party for scale-up.

We use many different characterisation techniques. These include XRD, XPS, XRF, SEM, STEM, AFM, Gravimetric analysis, ICP-OES, Raman, UV-Vis, PL, Mechanical testing, thermal conductivity measurements with Hot disk, goniometer, magnetometry, DSC, FTIR, XEOL, NEXAFS, XES, RIXS, SIMS, and X-ray tomography.

If you would like to join our group to find potential PhD projects or to propose a project, please contact Professor Lidija Siller.

Dr Katarina Novakovic leads these research investigations that link engineering, physical science and healthcare technologies.

Our work ranges from blue sky science to addressing unmet needs in medicine. Our capabilities include both experimental and mathematical modelling approaches. We focus on two major areas.

Oscillatory chemical reactions

We are a world leader in organic oscillatory chemical reactions. We specialise in oscillatory carbonylation reactions. We have expanded the horizons of this chemical oscillator. We have discovered alternative substrates, solvents and catalysts. Substrates and catalysts are usually small molecule compounds. We have produced them using polymers. This enhances system biocompatibility, and allows us to build oscillatory materials.

Hydrogels

We focus on biocompatible, smart hydrogels. We have expertise in tailoring materials to applications from drug delivery to tissue engineering. Ongoing studies include:

• antibacterial hydrogels for controlled cargo delivery
• bioglass-hydrogel composites for bone regeneration