Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)
PhD Project Template:
PI name & contact details:
Prof Noel Buckley
noel.buckley@UL.ie
Department
Physics and Energy http://www.energy.ul.ie/
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Materials and Surface Science Institute (MSSI)
Research group / centre website:
http://www.ul.ie/mssi
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.energy.ul.ie/people/faculty/prof-d-n-noelbuckley
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Professor Buckley is a Past-President of the Electrochemical Society http://www.electrochem.org and
has over 30 years experience of electrochemistry and materials and their application to technology.
His areas of research include electrochemical nanotechnology, electrochemical energy storage and thin
films and nanostructures for electronic and photonic applications.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Carbon Nanotube Electrodes in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries for the Storage of WindGenerated Energy
Environmental concerns stemming from the present dependence on fossil fuels has sparked renewed
interest and research in renewable energy sources. Because of their intermittent nature, the efficient
use of many of these sources requires a means of energy storage. Electrochemical energy storage is a
promising technology for this application. In particular, vanadium redox flow batteries potentially can
provide the necessary storage capacity, power density and speed of response to meet the demands of
renewable systems.
Vanadium flow batteries use vanadium salts in a supporting acid electrolyte as the energy storage
medium. The electrochemical processes during charging consist of reduction of V 3+ to V2+ at the
negative electrode and oxidation of VO2+ to VO2+ at the positive electrode, and the reverse reactions
during discharging. Typically, graphite carbon is used for both the positive and negative electrodes
and the kinetics of the redox processes at these electrodes is a major factor in the power density and
efficiency of the cells. Recent advances with carbon nanotubes (CNT) has prompted investigation of
them as electrode material. This project involves investigation of the characteristics of carbon
nanotubes for vanadium based redox flow batteries using electrochemical techniques coupled with
AFM and SEM observations.
Unique selling points of PhD project in UL:
The University of Limerick (UL) with over 11,500 students and 1,300 staff is an energetic and
enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education, research and
scholarship. It is widely recognized for the outstanding student experience it offers to all its students,
the excellence of its research and the impact it is making on our society and our economy. In 2011
UL, was independently evaluated by the international university rating agency QS Stars and was
awarded the maximum 5-star rating in 6 categories namely, teaching, engagement,
internationalization, innovation and knowledge transfer, infrastructure, and employability of UL
graduates. UL's Materials and Surface Science Institute is an internationally recognized center of
excellence.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering
Please indicate whether students can apply for:
Sandwich programme only
Full PhD programme only
Either of the above
x
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
x
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering