Welcome to the Energy Transition & Nanomaterials Research Group
We focus on the design and characterization of advanced functional nanomaterials for application in an energy transition, including next-generation electrochemical energy storage and electrocatalytic conversion reactions, dissecting the underlying mechanistic pathways of each system.
Electrochemical energy storage beyond Li-ion: Multivalent metal cells and conversion-type technologies (“air” and sulphur).
How to valorise small molecules (e.g., CO2) as a resource towards sustainability and production of chemicals.
Our research focuses on the rational design, characterization, and application of innovative single and hybrid nanomaterials.
News
January 2026
– New paper published on plasmon-governed reaction pathways in air batteries (Adv. Energy Mater., IF=26.0)
October 2025
– Ben Woolford, Fraser Mitchell, and Jack Hall join us for their MChem Academic Project on Ca-ion and Li-S. Welcome !
September 2025
– A month with a lot to celebrate: Sushma was awarded the Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Will joined VPI, and Elspeth has successfully completed her MPhil transfer ! Well done everyone !
August 2025
– New paper published on a chirality-induced suppression of singlet oxygen in Li-air batteries (Nano-Micro Lett., IF=36.3)
– New paper published on surface reconstruction of Ti3C2 electrocatalysts for OER (water-splitting) (Small, IF=12.1)
July 2025
– A busy summer so far ! Sushma and Elspeth visited our collaborators in Korea (Professor Dae-Hyun Nam, Professor Hee-Dae Lim, and Professor Dong Ha Kim). Filipe and Melanie delivered talks at RAMS2025 (at UCL) and at the UK Symposium on Materials for Sustainability 2025 (at Keele), respectively.
June 2025
– Sushma and Elspeth were awarded best presentation prizes (supported by The Faraday Institution) for their posters at the International Conference on Sustainable Chemistry for Net Zero (ICSCNZ) in St. Andrews! Congratulations!
May 2025
– Exciting news ahead on the development of an environmentally-friendly battery as an alternative to lithium-ion options. Read more: [Lincoln Press] [DSTL News]
January 2025
– New batch of BSc/MChem Students conducting their projects in the realms of Energy Materials. Welcome Ben P., Ben W., Ed M., Fraser M., Jack H., Lewis M., Oran F., and Rory B.
October 2024
– Gabriel Bechtle joins us for his MChem Academic Project.
August 2024
– New paper published on unconventional cathodes for Li-air (J. Colloid Interface Sci., IF=9.4)
– Will Lorenz (MChem) and Melanie Randall-Evans join the project with DSTL.
June 2024
– Elspeth Allen joins the Team as a PhD student to work on metal-sulphur batteries, with our industrial partner SLB Cambridge Research Limited (SCR).
April 2024
– Zeinab Rahmani (MSc) joins us to work on metal-air batteries.
January 2024
– Successful GAN Batteries Research Bid with DSTL: The Team will be supported by Dr Jen Lucas.
– MChem Students Ava H., Ben H., Jack G., and Olly G. will be conducting their Structured Projects on Zn-ion, Ca-ion, and Na-ion cathodes.
November 2023
– Olivia Jobes (MChem) joins us to work on metal-air batteries.
October 2023
– Sushma Panuganti joins the Team as a Graduate Teaching Fellow to work on multivalent batteries. Welcome!
– We have been awarded the International Exchanges Grant from The RS to collaborate with Prof. Dae-Hyun Nam (DGIST, Korea).
– We have received a Research Grants Award from The Royal Society.
September 2023
– We have been awarded the RSC Research Fund grant.
Department of Chemistry,
School of Natural Sciences,
University of Lincoln,
Brayford Pool Campus,
Lincoln, LN6 7TS