Since 2017, Prosperity Partnerships have been facilitating collaborations between academic institutions and businesses to conduct research that meets industrial needs. The latest project under this initiative is titled 'Energy storage for decarbonisation'. It involves a partnership between the University of Oxford and Fortescue Zero, a company specializing in zero emissions solutions and electrifying mining equipment. The goal is to develop safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient industrial batteries for use in industries that are difficult to decarbonize.
The project will be led by Professors Paul Shearing and David Howey from the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. This new partnership builds on over ten years of collaboration between Oxford and Fortescue. It highlights Oxford's expertise in energy storage, materials science, and battery management systems.
The research will be based in the University's Departments of Engineering Science and Materials as well as the ZERO Institute, which focuses on zero-carbon energy research. Five integrated work streams will guide the research: battery safety, battery management & control, thermal management, AI for battery engineering, and horizon scanning.
Project Lead Professor David Howey stated: "This partnership allows us to take cutting-edge battery science and engineering from the lab into the field—helping decarbonise some of the world’s most challenging sectors while creating new opportunities for UK innovation and industry."
Professor Charlotte Deane commented: "Our flagship Prosperity Partnerships scheme brings together world-class expertise from businesses and academia to solve big challenges to support the growth of industry and advance UK research."
A previous grant under this scheme enabled innovative solar cell research at Oxford University with spin-out company Oxford PV. Further details about these partnerships can be found on the EPSRC website.