Ultra-lightweight materials engineered to prevent thermal runaway in advanced energy systems
This DPhil project aims to develop the next generation of ultra-lightweight materials engineered to prevent thermal runaway in advanced energy systems. Thermal runaway, the uncontrolled rise in temperature leading to catastrophic failure, poses a major limitation in lithium-based batteries, high-power electronics, and energy-dense aerospace technologies, demanding materials that combine exceptional thermal insulation, rapid heat dissipation, and mechanical resilience without adding significant mass.
The research will focus on creating aerogel-based and nano-engineered ceramic composites that exhibit ultra-low thermal conductivity (<0.05 W/m·K), high-temperature stability (>1400 °C), and low density (<0.2 g/cm³) while incorporating smart, endothermic functionalities to actively suppress runaway reactions.
Advanced synthesis techniques such as sol-gel processing, freeze-casting, and additive manufacturing will enable precise microstructural control and layering, supported by thorough characterisation using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, laser flash analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and thermo-mechanical testing under simulated extreme conditions. The resulting materials will open new pathways for thermal management in batteries, spacecraft, fusion reactors, and high-power electronics, where mass reduction and heat safety are critical.
This interdisciplinary, materials chemistry-driven project will provide training in materials synthesis, nanostructural design, and high-temperature characterisation, contributing to the global effort to develop safer, more efficient, and sustainable energy systems.
