Postgraduate research

Short-loop recycling of LIB cathode and Anode Materials Using Oil Nanoemulsions

Qualification: PhD

Department: School of Chemistry

Application deadline: 27 March 2025

Start date: 22 September 2025

Overview

Open to UK applicants only

Supervisors:

Project Description:

It has been estimated that, in the UK alone, a stockpile of ca. 70,000-106,000 units of obsolete end-of-first-life EV batteries are waiting to be recycled in 2025. The challenge  facing major OEMs is how to recycle and remanufacture EV cells without destructive recovery of precious metals via pyro/hydrometallurgical processes, which are the current industry standards. A recent Leicester-developed and patent-pending technology demonstrated success in separation of black mass from different sources into highly pure cathode and anode components using ultrasound-generated vegetable oil-in-water nano emulsions.[1] The process takes minutes and enables short-loop recycling of LIBs without altering the original battery crystalline structure. This is the ideal method to reprocess production scrap batteries to allow active materials to be directly recast into another cell. However, research question remains because no one has benchmarked short-loop remanufactured cells against pristine cells from which the materials were recovered from.

This EPSRC project, in collaboration with a major automotive OEM, will benchmark the performance of short-loop remanufactured EV cells using reprocessed materials as compared to virgin cells the materials were recovered from. The project will also carry out technoeconomic and life-cycle analysis on the novel binders and benchmark the data against current best available technology. There will be an opportunity to carry out placement studies with the CASE sponsor.

Applications are sought from talented and motivated UK candidates with an academic background in chemistry or material science. Experience of batteries or electrochemistry would be an advantage but is not essential.

Please refer to the funding, entry requirements and How to Apply sections below before submitting an application.

Funding

Funding

The is project is funded by EPSRC and is open to UK applicants only

Funding provides:

  • 4 year UK tuition fees
  • 4 year stipend at UKRI rates, ( for 2024/5 this will be £19,237 pa. 2025/6 rates to be confirmed)
  • Plus an industrial top-up stipend from sponsor, subject to contract.
  • It also provides travel support for training, attending international conferences and annual visits to the sponsor.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold: 1st or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent), and Masters degree with Distinction (or equivalent)

Applications are sought from talented and motivated UK candidates with an academic background in chemistry or material science. Experience of batteries or electrochemistry would be an advantage but is not essential.

University of Leicester English language requirements apply.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries

For queries regarding the project, please email Jake Yang directly jake.yang@leicester.ac.uk

General advice please email csepgr@le.ac.uk and include Chem EPSRC Yang in the subject line.

 

How to apply

How to apply

To apply please use the Apply link at the bottom of this page and select September 2025

With your application, please include:

  • CV
  • Personal statement explaining your interest in the project, your experience and why we should consider you
  • Degree certificates and transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
  • Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
  • In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available. Referees cannot be anyone on the project supervisory Team.
  • In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title in the space provided (a proposal is not required)
  • In the funding section please specify:  Chem EPSRC Yang

Notes

Applications will be considered after the closing date. We will advise you of the outcome by email.

Please check the spelling of your referee's email addresses.

Eligibility

Eligibility

This EPSRC studentship is open to UK applicants only.

EU applicants who hold EU settled or EU pre-settled status please provide PGR Admissions with a share code (the one that starts with S) so we can verify your fee status.  Please email to pgradmissions@le.ac.uk

Application options

Chemistry PhD Apply now

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