‘Agratas & Faraday Institution Collaborate on Talent Growth’
Welcome, Net Zero News readers,
In a significant stride towards bolstering the UK’s battery sector, Agratas, the global battery company of the Tata Group, has forged a multi-year partnership with the Faraday Institution. This alliance is set to transform talent development within the industry, laying the groundwork for a sustainable electric future.
As part of this commitment, Agratas has funded a pilot programme to support three PhD studentships, which will see these budding researchers embedded directly within the innovative projects at the Faraday Institution. This collaboration is not merely an academic exercise; it represents a fusion of industrial ambition with the unparalleled expertise of the Faraday Institution in nurturing talent specifically for the battery sector.
Since its inception, the Faraday Institution has been at the forefront of developing specialised training programmes for PhD researchers, equipping them with the tools necessary to thrive in academia, industry, or policy-making related to battery technology. The three PhD researchers funded by Agratas will be part of a robust cohort of 16 students who commenced the Faraday Institution PhD Enrichment Scheme in October 2024. They join a burgeoning community of 85 PhD researchers who are currently undergoing or have completed the rigorous training programme, along with an additional 100 PhD candidates affiliated with various Faraday Institution projects. The three studentships, each spanning four years, will also include invaluable industrial internships at Agratas, providing students with practical, hands-on experience in the field.
The trio of PhD studentships funded by Agratas includes:
- Becky Larner, from the University of Oxford, who is collaborating with Professor Patrick Grant and Dr Guillaume Matthews on advanced manufacturing as part of the Nextrode project.
- Chris Smith, from the University of Cambridge, who is working alongside Professor Dame Clare Grey and Professor Michael De Volder on addressing battery degradation.
- Tihana Štefanić, also from the University of Oxford, who is engaged with Professor David Howey and Professor Charles Monroe on the Multi-scale Modelling project.
Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution, reflected on the importance of this initiative, stating:
“The next generation of battery technologies will be developed by the next generation of battery researchers. This partnership’s commitment to talent development comes at a key time for the UK battery sector as we look to build on the nation’s distinct advantage in battery R&D as it competes in the global race to attract investment in battery manufacturing and innovation.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Valentina Gentili, Vice President of Global Research and Development at Agratas, expressed the company’s dedication to innovation, saying:
“Agratas’s purpose is to pioneer power for future generations by fostering talent and driving innovation in next-generation battery technologies. We are so excited to be part of the vibrant UK ecosystem, collaborating with our partners at the Faraday Institution and world-leading academics to shape a sustainable electric future for the UK.”
Matt Howard, Chief Strategy Officer at the Faraday Institution, also conveyed his enthusiasm for this partnership, stating:
“We look forward to deepening our relationship with Agratas, and hope that this will open the way for similar training initiatives with other UK-based industry organisations as we collectively continue to build a strong battery ecosystem.”
The PhD candidates themselves have expressed their excitement and commitment to their research. Becky Larner shared her background:
“I obtained an MSci in Chemistry from Cambridge University where I researched sodium-ion batteries with the Grey group. Now I am a first-year DPhil student researching electrodes for sustainable lithium-ion batteries at the University of Oxford, supervised by Professor Patrick Grant. I was attracted to this project because I find energy storage technology really interesting and want to help make it more sustainable.”
Chris Smith added his perspective:
“Battery research ties together my fascination with fundamental materials chemistry whilst aligning with my environmental consciousness. Being co-supervised by Clare Grey and Michael de Volder is truly brilliant; they are both at the top of their field, and I cannot wait to produce meaningful research with them. I am delighted to be collaborating with Agratas as this facilitates academia and industry working together, striving for a better future while simultaneously giving my research real-world impact.”
Tihana Štefanić also voiced her enthusiasm about the training programme:
“Being part of the Faraday Institution’s training programme has made the first few weeks an overwhelmingly positive experience. I am looking forward to developing safer battery technology in my DPhil and hope to continue working on sustainable energy solutions in my future career. My project is based in the Monroe and Howey research groups.”
This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s journey towards a sustainable energy future. By investing in the next generation of researchers and fostering collaboration between academia and industry, Agratas and the Faraday Institution are setting the stage for unprecedented advancements in battery technology. The impact of their efforts will not only resonate within the UK but will also contribute to the global quest for sustainable energy solutions.
As we observe this exciting development, it becomes increasingly clear that the future of energy storage and battery technology lies in the hands of dedicated researchers and innovative companies like Agratas. The collaboration is not just about providing funding; it is about creating a nurturing environment where talent can flourish, ideas can be transformed into reality, and sustainable solutions can be developed to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
In conclusion, as we celebrate this partnership, let us remain engaged and supportive of the initiatives that drive the advancement of battery technologies. The collective efforts of institutions, industry leaders, and emerging researchers will undoubtedly pave the way for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for all.
Image of Becky Larner courtesy of The Faraday Institution/Agratas
