NPL-Imperial iCASE studentship: Characterising the performance of low loading electrodes for electrochemical hydrogen technologies

Start date: September-October 2024 (flexible)

Supervisors: Professor Anthony Kucernak (Imperial College London, ICL), Dr Graham Smith (NPL)

This project is an Industrial-Case studentship based in the Chemistry department at ICL, with partners at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and RFC Power, which is a spinout of ICL.

This project will focus on improving the understanding of electrodes used in electrolysers, flow batteries, and fuel cells. These devices allow the efficient capture of renewable electricity and its interconversion with hydrogen. Deployment of such electrochemical systems is growing at a tremendous pace but significant improvements to performance, cost, and longevity are still required. 

The post-holder will gain experience in:

–      Electrochemistry with specific emphasis of the electrocatalysis of reactions involving gaseous reactants or products;

–      Development of ultra-low catalyst loading electrodes for high performance electrocatalytic system;

–      Electrochemical assessment of performance under a wide range of conditions;

–      Computational assessment of electrocatalytic performance of reactions

The studentship will include >3 month placement with NPL (Teddington, London) and benefits from membership of NPL’s post-graduate institute, accessing training, expertise on metrology and participation of cohort activities and networking events

Applicants should have a strong background in Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics and Computation. Applications are invited from candidates who possess (or expect to gain) a first-class honours MSci or higher degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or related areas.

If you are interested in applying, Please send applications including a CV, the names and addresses of two academic referees and a short statement (200 words or less) as to why you think you would be an appropriate candidate. Applications should be emailed to Anthony Kucernak (anthony@imperial.ac.uk) with the subject line “NPL-Imperial iCase”.

Further details of the Imperial Chemistry Department is here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/chemistry/ and details for the Kucernak group is available here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/kucernak-group/

Further details of the NPL Electrochemistry group and PGI are available here: https://www.npl.co.uk/electrochemistry and  Postgraduate Institute for Measurement Science – NPL

Further details of RFC Power is available here: https://www.rfcpower.com