Agratas and Faraday Institution Collaborate to Strengthen UK Battery Sector Talent

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Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-01-24 12:58:29 |

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The UK’s battery sector is poised for a significant leap forward with the announcement of a multi-year partnership between Agratas, the Tata Group’s global battery company, and the Faraday Institution. This collaboration aims to meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in battery development by fostering talent and advancing research and development in the field.

Professor Martin Freer, CEO of the Faraday Institution, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “The future of battery technology depends on the next generation of researchers. This partnership’s focus on talent development is timely as the UK seeks to strengthen its competitive edge in battery R&D and attract global investment in manufacturing and innovation.”

A New Era in Talent Development

A key element of this partnership is Agratas’ funding of a pilot programme for three PhD studentships. These researchers will actively contribute to ongoing Faraday Institution projects, gaining hands-on experience in essential areas of battery technology. This initiative underscores both organisations’ commitment to accelerating advancements in the UK battery sector while cultivating a steady pipeline of highly trained talent.

A joint statement from Agratas and the Faraday Institution emphasised the urgency of this effort: “The need for skilled professionals to drive a fully electric future has never been more critical.”

This collaboration combines Agratas’ industrial expertise with the Faraday Institution’s proven track record in nurturing world-class researchers, creating a foundation for impactful advancements in the battery sector.

Preparing Researchers for the Future

Since its inception, the Faraday Institution has delivered a specialised PhD training programme designed to prepare researchers for influential careers in academia, industry, and policy. Graduates are equipped with advanced technical knowledge, interdisciplinary skills, and practical expertise, making them highly sought after in the rapidly evolving battery field.

Agratas’ sponsorship of three PhD studentships is part of a broader cohort of 16 researchers enrolled in the Faraday Institution’s PhD Enrichment Scheme in October 2024. These studentships span four years and include industrial internships with Agratas, bridging the gap between academic research and practical application.

Dr. Valentina Gentili, Vice President of Global Research and Development, Cell Technology at Agratas, remarked: “Agratas is committed to pioneering power for future generations by fostering talent and driving innovation in battery technologies. Collaborating with the Faraday Institution and leading academics allows us to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable electric future for the UK.”

Advancing Battery Research

The PhD researchers are already driving transformative advancements in battery technology:

• Becky Larner (University of Oxford) is refining manufacturing processes within the Nextrode project.
• Chris Smith (University of Cambridge) is investigating battery degradation in collaboration with world-class scientists.
• Tihana Štefanić (University of Oxford) is making strides in the Multi-scale Modelling project, focusing on battery design at various levels.

These researchers bring diverse academic and professional experiences to the programme, driven by a shared passion for sustainable energy solutions.

Chris Smith, reflecting on his journey, shared: “Battery research combines my fascination with materials chemistry and my commitment to environmental sustainability. Working with experts like Clare Grey and Michael de Volder and collaborating with Agratas gives my research real-world impact.”

A Collaborative Vision for the Future

This partnership highlights the critical role of collaboration between industry and academia in establishing the UK as a global leader in battery innovation. By nurturing the next generation of experts, Agratas and the Faraday Institution are laying the groundwork for a future-ready battery sector, equipped to meet the challenges of an electrified world.

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