PhD Studentship: Powering the Future: Terahertz Technology for Next-Generation Batteries

University of Warwick; Coventry; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Warwick invites applications for a PhD studentship investigating terahertz spectroscopy to enable scalable manufacturing of solid-state batteries. The project integrates metrology, battery materials, and ceramic processing, with collaboration with LiNa Energy.

The scholarship covers full tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend (UKRI rate) for 3.5 years, and includes a 5,000 research training grant.

Qualifications

• Good 2.1 Bachelors or Masters in Electronic, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physical Sciences or equivalent.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python and signals processing is a plus.
• Interest in battery technologies and electromagnetics is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop terahertz spectroscopy methods for solid-state batteries.
• Fabricate and characterise conventional electrolyte materials.
• Progress measurements to product-scale electrolytes.
• Integrate thermal control to study intrinsic conduction and link to transport mechanisms.
• Collaborate with LiNa Energy on metrology and quality control for energy storage devices.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Signal processing

Electromagnetics

CAD

Mechanical design

Education

2.1 Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

CAD

Job description

From electric vehicles to grid-scale energy storage, the future of clean energy relies on breakthroughs in battery technology. This PhD will develop cutting-edge terahertz spectroscopy methods to unlock scalable manufacturing of next-generation solid-state batteries.

The project:

Solid-state electrolytes are attracting growing interest for next-generation solid-state batteries due to their improved thermal stability, reduced flammability, enhanced durability, and potential for higher energy density. However, manufacturing high-performance electrolytes remains challenging, as their microstructures must be carefully controlled and optimised to ensure good electrochemical performance, mechanical integrity, and impermeability. This challenge is compounded by the lack of rapid inspection methods capable of assessing microstructural homogeneity, which is increasingly important for product-scale electrolytes.

The PhD candidate will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research team working at the interface of metrology, battery materials, and ceramic processing. Building on our previous demonstrations [1], this project will begin with the fabrication and characterisation of conventional electrolyte materials using emerging terahertz spectroscopy. The work will then progress to developing the technique further for measurements on product-scale electrolytes. In the later stages of the project, thermal control will be integrated to probe intrinsic conduction behaviour and link this to longer length-scale conductions, establishing a unified framework connecting microstructure and transport mechanisms.

In close collaboration with LiNa Energy, this project offers an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to innovations in solid-state battery manufacturing, advanced metrology, and quality control for next-generation energy storage devices.

[1] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.234050

Scholarship:

The award will cover the full tuition fees, plus a tax-free stipend, currently 21,805, paid at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years of full-time study. The award also includes a 5,000 research training support grant.

Eligibility:

This studentship is available to home students only.

The candidate should have a good 2.1 Bachelors, or Masters degree in Electronic, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physical Sciences or equivalent.

Experience inmore than oneof the following topics will be a plus:

• Working knowledge of MATLAB/Python and signals processing
• Understanding of electromagnetics
• Genuine interest in battery technologies
• Experience with CAD and mechanical design