As part of the Energy Institute’s commitment to interdisciplinary research, over the last few years it has funded several PhD studentships, led by supervisors from across faculties and departments. The research projects, as proposed, focus on topics and activity which was not only set to be impactful but also allowed for a multi-disciplinary approach, expanding knowledge and expertise across the university.
With several of the PhD projects now close to completion, we showcase our PhD students, supervisors and their projects below:
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Construction of a robust model for the prediction of sustainable aviation fuel properties based on chemical composition
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Student: Khalifa S Aminu
Supervisors: Prof. Anthony J. H. M. Meijer (School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences), Dr Ehsan Alborzi (Mechanical Engineering), Dr Xue Yong (Chemistry)
Energy area: Sustainable aviation fuels
Project summary: The process of approving Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) poses a significant challenge for the aviation industry, primarily because it must adhere strictly to the ASTM D4054 standard before it can be used. This approval process is both time-consuming and cost intensive.
Consequently, there is a need for a preliminary screening step in the certification process. To address this need, this project aims to develop a robust predictive model capable of estimating the properties of SAF based on the composition of hydrocarbon species.
Ultimately, the goal is to empower SAF manufacturers to anticipate the behaviour of their production processes at an early stage, even before initiating the ASTM D4054 evaluation process. By providing a predictive model that correlates fuel composition with key properties, this approach can help streamline the approval process, reduce costs, and accelerate the adoption of SAF within the aviation industry.
- Interfaces in metal halide perovskite devices
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Student: Rehmat Goodwin
Supervisors: Dr Alex Ramadan, Dr Nic Mullin, Prof Jamie Hobbs (School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences)
Energy area: Solar power
Project summary: This project seeks to understand the type of structural defects present in wide bandgap perovskite materials, and to understand how this influences the electronic structure of these materials.
We can then use this understanding to develop wide bandgap perovskite solar cells with improved performance.
- Novel superplasticising additives to enhance the performance of low-carbon cements for a net-zero future
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Student: Micael Rubens Cardoso de Silva
Supervisor: Brant Walkley, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Energy area: Decarbonising cement
Project summary: This project aims to examine the interactions between organic superplasticisers and inorganic cement particles in low-carbon alkali-activated cements.
This research will aid in the design of novel superplasticisers with enhanced performance, allowing control of flow characteristics and enhanced mechanical properties, enhancing the performance of low-carbon cements and contributing to a net-zero future for buildings and structures.
- Facilitating the uptake of electric vehicles in rural areas
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Student: Thomas McKinney
Supervisor: Dr Erica Ballantyne (Sheffield University Management School) Professor David Stone (Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering)
Energy area: Transport
Project summary: As the UK progresses with its electric vehicle (EV) transition, rural areas are at risk of being neglected. This project addressed this issue by creating a Travel Demand Model and EV Charging scenarios specifically designed for the idiosyncrasies of rural settings, which were then examined through a case study.
The research conducted a thorough analysis of the impacts of EVs from a technical infrastructure perspective, focusing on challenges such as power outages and demand side management. It also involved designing and implementing a survey to include the perspectives of this often-overlooked stakeholder group.
The findings revealed several concerns that must be addressed to achieve high levels of EV adoption. However the study also indicated that many of the apprehensions rural communities may have about transitioning to EVs could be mitigated before these high adoption levels are reached.
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Capturing wasted energy from urban light rail systems to support fleet EV charging
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Student: Fiona McBride
Supervisor: Dr Erica Ballantyne (Sheffield University Management School), Professor David Stone (Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering)
Energy area: Transport
Project summary: The project explores the opportunities for connecting fleet Electric Vehicle (EV) charging opportunities with urban light rail systems to support the energy efficient use of electric bus and delivery van fleets in and around city centres.
These EVs could also be used as energy storage solutions for energy that is currently wasted by light rail systems, helping to improve the efficiency of existing public transport. The focus of the research is determining appropriate ways to integrate these transport systems so as to benefit both light rail systems and fleet EVs.
- Energy-efficient last-mile delivery operations with sidewalk autonomous delivery robots integrated into public transportation systems
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Student: Razvan Ionescu
Supervisor: Dr Merve Keskin Ozel, Dr Erica Ballantyne (Sheffield University Management School), Professor David Stone (Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering)
Energy area: Transport
Project summary: This project aims to redefine last-mile delivery logistics operations by integrating sidewalk autonomous delivery robots (SADRs) into urban public transportation systems, such as tram networks.
By leveraging the public transport infrastructure and the SADR capabilities, we strive to optimise energy efficiency, reduce the environmental footprint, mitigate traffic congestion, and enhance overall delivery performance in urban settings.
Through this innovative integration, we aspire to establish a sustainable and efficient solution that not only benefits delivery service providers but also contributes positively to urban communities and environmental conservation efforts.
- Bottom-up microscale approach to develop efficient and cost-effective catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells
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Student: Laraib Nisar
Supervisor: Dr Adrien Chauvet (Chemistry), Dr Mohammed Ismail, Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian (Mechanical Engineering)
Energy area: Hydrogen
Project summary: The goal of this project is thus to develop substantially cheaper but still high-performing materials to replace precious platinum-based catalysts and other porous media in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC).
To that end, carbon foam based materials will be synthesised, characterised, and tested. The central element of the study is to correlate the intrinsic electronic properties of the carbon foam materials to the performance indicators of the fuel cell in order to refine the proposed materials and eventually create more efficient PEFCs.
Congratulations to all of our PhD students and supervisors on both securing their projects and completing their PhDs!