报告摘要：Energy-related research in Materials and Chemistry is key focus area in our group and includes work focused on the fundamental synthesis, physics and chemistry of materials, through to the processing of the materials and production of devices. This presentation will report three particular areas related to energy and low carbon materials, which are lithium batteries, fuel cells and the photocatalysis. We are advancing innovative approaches to develop the next generation of ultra-high-energy and power-density batteries based on novel Li chemistries, new electrolytes and specially engineered electrodes. Nano-structured scaffolds infiltrated with sulphur in order to fabricate new Li-S batteries with energy densities that are 100% higher than the best Li-ion batteries with improved cycle life, approaching 1000 cycles thus potentially overcoming an outstanding problem that has hampered progress for several decades. Research on solid-oxide fuel cells is based on optimizing the atomic architecture of the solid electrolytes to improve conductivity and stability for low-temperature applications. A novel method of doping electrolytes and electrodes has also been developed. A new metal–oxide photocatalyst composite material has been produced in our group. It capable of absorbing both uv and visible light with redox-reaction rates that are up to 2-orders of magnitude faster for disinfecting water and for destroying pollutants in air.

报告人简介：Professor Kumar has over 25 years of research experience in electrochemistry, energy devices, materials chemistry synthesis and sensors. He has published over 230 papers, 12 patents, 4 Chapters in Handbooks and 1 edited book (High energy density Li batteries, Wiley-VCH 2010). He is working on a number of research products underpinned by harnessing of electrochemical reactions in a variety of applications that range from energy devices such as batteries and fuel cells to environmental research in mineral carbonation, sensors, sustainability and recycling of materials and photocatalytic reactions. His group has worked very closely with industry and research organizations and has been successful in transferring technology to industry.

Honour & Awards
2014, Kroll Medal and Prize (awarded by IoM3), ,
2000, Innovative Metrology Award DTI/NPL,  “Emission measurement of exhaust gases”