Energy

A group of electrical wires

Researchers in the Chemistry at Lancaster are developing new chemistries to convert and store renewable energy, supporting the transition towards net-zero carbon emissions.

As a major part of our research, we are developing a diverse range of chemical solutions to meet the energy demands of 21st century society.

Testing a battery with a volt metre

Electrochemical energy storage

Rechargeable batteries are a key component of the transition towards net-zero carbon emissions. We are developing new battery chemistries to address current limitations and increase performance, including:

  • Post Li-ion chemistries including Na-ion and K-ion
  • Structural and mechanistic characterisation of commercial and emerging battery electrode materials
  • Aqueous redox flow batteries for long-duration energy storage

Solar energy conversion and storage

The Earth receives abundant energy from the sun, but this energy source is intrinsically intermittent. We are developing new chemical technologies to capture and store solar energy, and to convert it to useful forms.

This work includes:

  • New solar cell materials and architectures
  • Light harvesting materials for photocatalysis
  • Solar-to-thermal energy conversion materials
An academic testing a solar cell
An N2 feedstock in a beaker

Electrochemical synthesis of renewable fuels

Electrochemical processes can be used to produce useful fuels from low-value or waste feedstocks such as CO2 or N2.

Research at Lancaster is developing new approaches for such processes including:

  • Electrochemical CO2 reduction
  • Energy-efficient ammonia synthesis
  • Green hydrogen production
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Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Inorganic Research group, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

Analytical and Spectroscopy Research Group, Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Renewables

+44 (0)1524 521960

Chemical Synthesis , Organic Research Group

Analytical and Spectroscopy Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, Inorganic Research group, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

+44 (0)1524 595087

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

+44 (0)7842 831633

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Inorganic Research group, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

+44 (0)1524 521950 A018, A - Floor, Faraday Building

Analytical and Spectroscopy Research Group, Chemical Theory and Computation , Chemical Theory and Computation Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

A008, A - Floor, Faraday Building

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

+44 (0)1524 594189

Analytical and Spectroscopy Research Group, Chemical Theory and Computation , Chemical Theory and Computation Research Group, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

A038, A - Floor, Chemistry Building

Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, FST Sustainability Advisory Committee, MSF Supervisors 2019/20, Physical and Analytical Chemistry

B019, B - Floor, Chemistry Building

Chemical Theory and Computation , Chemical Theory and Computation Research Group, Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Energy Lancaster, Energy Storage, Molecular Scale Electronics, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Chemical Synthesis , Electrochemical and Surfaces Research Group, Molecular Scale Electronics, Organic Research Group

Chemical Theory and Computation , Chemical Theory and Computation Research Group, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry