Paid summer internship to work on energy materials.

Dr. Silvia Ramos and Dr. Maria Alfresson are seeking to appoint one student research assistant for 4 weeks, starting in late June, to support the research we carry out at Kent on new materials for energy applications using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). XAS measurements are a key method to characterise the performance of materials towards new energy solutions (e.g. new batteries, solar cells, hydrogen storage). These measurements, carried out at synchrotron sources, give direct access to vital information about the mechanisms by which the material either stores or generates energy as well as about its durability.

For more than 6 years, Kent has coordinated a large project that offers rapid access to XAS measurements at Diamond Light Source (the UK synchrotron) for over 40 research groups, based at both national and international institutions. We are responsible for providing advice about the sample preparation, measurements, data analysis and interpretation.

The aims of the summer project will be to run a small research project on a family of materials that we are assessing for possible applications in batteries as well as helping the team in Kent with the coordination of the larger project. Key tasks will include:

• Training in the basic principles of XAS data extraction and to assess data quality.
• Preparing instruction videos on sample preparation and update current guidelines supplied to the users.
• Selecting measurements that are valuable as standards and that will be added to a database, available to all groups in the research area.
• Engaging in their own research project, assembling, cycling and perform XAS measurements on novel anode materials for Li-ion batteries.
• Attending the BAG experiment at Diamond Light Source (DLS) scheduled for 24hrs in July (17/7) and collect data on their Li-ion battery samples for analysis.

If interested, please apply here.

For additional information, please email Dr. S. Ramos or Dr. M. L. Alfredsson.