Materials Science, Chemical Engineering: Sustainable Bio-based Nanomaterials for Next-Generation Energy Storage Systems (RS946)

Funding provider: EPSRC

Subject area: Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Advanced Composites

Project start date: 

• July 2026 

** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.) 

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

Supervisors: Dr Jing Wang (Primary), Dr Rui Tan (Secondary)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Materials Engineering

Mode of study: Full-time

Place of study:  Swansea University (Bay Campus) 

Project description:

The rapid advancements in emerging portable electronics, transportation (e.g., electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, autonomous aircraft, etc.), and smart grid-scale energy storage have stimulated the ever-growing demand for high-energy-density, highly safe, and low-cost energy storage systems. Nevertheless, the continuous large-scale application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is constrained by their soaring cost considering the shortage and uneven distribution of lithium resources, which is often also associated with poor environmental and human rights records, prompting the replacement of conventional LIBs with low-cost, sustainable next-generation battery systems.  

As a prime alternative to costly and non-biodegradable materials (e.g., CNTs and graphene), cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are bio-based, sustainable structural nanomaterials with the additional merits of large-scale availability at a relatively low cost, conjointly with being extracted from the most abundant resource (i.e., cellulose) and possessing high tensile moduli in the range of 110-220 GPa.  

Accordingly, it is imperative to fabricate “Sustainable Bio-based Nanomaterials for Next-Generation Low-Cost Energy Storage Technologies” with aqueous and non-aqueous energy systems for the large-scale practical commercialisation. In this project, we aim to design the unique structures of sustainable bio-based nanomaterials via advanced technologies for tailoring the electrochemical performances and structural properties to enhance the long-term cycling stability, energy-density and power-density and overall safety of next-generation emerging batteries systems for the realisation of low-cost, high-energy-density, highly safe next-generation energy storage systems. 

This project involves collaborations with leading experts and valuable access to world-class equipment at the University of Cambridge, University of Bristol, and Imperial College London. The successful applicant will join the “Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute” and “Sustainable Multifunctional Nanocellulose” Group, which offers opportunities to interface prestigious scholars and expand your academic network.  

The successful candidate will also join CAPTURE (Circular Approaches To Utilise and Retain Energy), a Centre of Expertise at Swansea University, established in 2020 to lead innovative solutions for the global energy transition.  

At CAPTURE, you’ll benefit from:  

• State-of-the-artlaboratories and world-class expertise in materials science, battery technologies, and sustainable manufacturing.  
• Direct collaboration withLeaf Tech Ltd and otherkey industry partners, providing valuable exposure to industrial-scale challenges and hands-on application of your research. (Internship is also provided depending on the progress of project) 
• A strong foundationin technical, analytical, and research skills, enhancing your career prospects in academia, R&D, and the growing clean energy sector.  
• Opportunities to present your work at international conferences, engage with industry stakeholders, and contribute to high-impact publications. 

Beyond battery innovation, this research has far-reaching implications for sustainable materials design, low-carbon manufacturing, and the broader field of energy storage systems. 

Consequently, the fundamental science and commercialisation promise of this “Sustainable Bio-based Nanomaterials for Next-Generation Energy Storage Systems” project combined with our joint endeavours will foster academic and industrial partnerships, contributing to the realisation of Swansea University’s Sustainable Top 30 ambition, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UK’s Net-Zero 2050 Commitment. 

N.B. Passionate candidates for Sustainability, Electrochemistry, Renewable Energy Storage, Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Science Engineering, Composites Science and Engineering are welcomed and encouraged for this application. 

Funding Duration – 3 years

Scholarship open to UK and International applicants. 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. 

English Language 
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

Note for international and European applicants:  

Details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer. 

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form here.  

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.  

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS946 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)  

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input: 

• the RS Code, RS946 
• the scholarship title  

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank  
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank  
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes  
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.  

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.  

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.   

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):  

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)  

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.  

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.  

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).  

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)  

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact:  

NAME: Dr Jing Wang 

EMAIL: jing.wang@swansea.ac.uk 

NAME: Dr Rui Tan 

EMAIL: rui.tan@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.