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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

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  1. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  2. Centre for Condensed Matter Physics
  3. PhD at CCMP
  4. PhD Projects in CCMP
  5. Next generation battery materials and geometries

Next generation battery materials and geometries

Research Group: Center for Condensed Matter Physics
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 4 Years
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

Funding is provided via the China Scholarship Council.  

  • Available to Chinese applicants only.
  • Applicant required to start in September 2026
  • The studentship arrangement will cover overseas tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.

Project Description

There are a wide range of sodium ion batteries (SIBs) currently being developed and their differences stem from the choice of anode, cathode, and electrode. The most common anode materials are carbon, metal-oxide, and alloy-based. For the cathode the material types used are metal oxides, layered oxides, and polyanion phosphate compounds. The focus of this research will be on the hard carbon anode (HC) and its integration into the full-cell geometry, and explore moving away from the typical rocking-horse cell design towards a dual-ion design.  This research project will answer the following questions

  • What is the best structure that can both increase gravimetric (or volumetric) energy density and cycle stability with SIBs?
  • What alternative battery chemistries (e.g Al, Mg, K etc.) are possible with hard carbon anodes, and how might they be optimised?
  • Can the SIB single ion (rocking horse) device geometry be adapted to a dual ion battery geometry, and if so, what electrolytes are optimal?

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Physics programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply

Deadline for application – 28th January 2026

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Prof Alan Drew

Email: a.j.drew@qmul.ac.uk

Requirements

  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
  • If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all categories.  English language certificate will be required at application. 

SPCS Academics: Professor Alan Drew

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