Achieving a carbon-free future requires not only renewable energy generation but also major upgrades to electricity transmission. This research develops electrostatic generators that produce high-voltage DC power more efficiently and sustainably than current technologies. By reducing costs and reliance on rare materials, the work supports grid expansion and large-scale decarbonisation.

This research improves the lifespan of sodium-metal batteries, a cheaper and greener alternative to lithium-ion cells for renewable energy storage. By replacing copper with zinc as the supporting material, sodium forms smooth, stable deposits, extending battery life 15-fold. This innovation could deliver affordable, sustainable grid-scale energy storage.

This research uses atomic-scale computer simulations to design safer, more efficient battery electrolytes. By modelling ion movement like a “river” inside a battery, the project identifies top-performing materials before laboratory testing. The goal is to create faster-charging, higher-capacity, non-toxic batteries that support global renewable-energy transitions and a net-zero future.