Click here to join now
University: Loughborough University
Location: Loughborough, United Kingdom
Department: Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Pengcheng Zhu
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
Project Overview
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are central to the electrification of transport and achieving Net Zero goals. However, current LIB technology faces limitations in:
-
Driving range
-
Charging speed
-
Cycling stability
These challenges largely stem from inefficient lithium-ion transport due to outdated electrode architectures.
This PhD project focuses on designing, engineering, and manufacturing advanced electrode architectures to significantly improve LIB performance.
Research Objectives and Methods
The project will:
-
Develop innovative electrode structures to optimize lithium-ion transport
-
Employ state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, including:
-
High-precision laser structuring
-
Additive manufacturing
-
Micro- and nano-imprinting
-
-
Use advanced materials characterisation methods such as:
-
X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT)
-
Plasma Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (PFIB-SEM)
-
Expected outcomes:
-
Fundamental understanding of ionic transport mechanisms in LIB electrodes
-
High-quality academic publications
-
Exploration of scalable manufacturing strategies for industrial adoption of next-generation LIBs
Research Environment
The successful candidate will join the Sustainable Energy Research Group at Loughborough University, supervised by Dr. Pengcheng Zhu, an EPSRC Fellow.
Facilities and collaborations include:
-
Advanced battery fabrication and testing laboratories
-
Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre (LMCC)
-
Collaboration with partner institutions such as Oxford, Birmingham, Queen Mary University, and industrial partners globally
Candidate Profile
Applicants should have:
-
A strong background in materials science, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, or related fields
-
Experience in battery research, manufacturing processes, or materials characterization is highly desirable
-
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team
-
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Application Procedure
Stage 1 – Initial Contact:
-
Contact Dr. Pengcheng Zhu via [email protected]
-
Provide CV, academic transcripts, a reference letter, and confirmation of funding source
-
Informal discussions are encouraged
Stage 2 – Formal Application:
-
Upon discussion with Dr. Zhu, apply online via Loughborough University’s portal
-
Select Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering as the program
-
Quote the reference number AAE-PZ-2602
-
Submit all minimum required supporting documents to ensure timely processing
Selection criteria will be based on academic performance, research experience, and alignment with the project objectives.
Apply now at: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research-applications/
