HDR Scholarship - Plastic Crystal Composites

Prof Patrick Howlett

Prof Maria Forsyth

Institute for Frontier Materials

Melbourne Burwood Campus

All solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are highly sought after technology to enable a wide range of new, high safety, high stability applications such as Electric Vehicles, Internet of Things and scenarios where form and reliability are important. Currently, ceramic solid-state materials and polymers are widely investigated for use the electrolyte in these devices, however limitations in their performance have so far hindered commercialisation.

Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals (OIPCs) are a new class of solid-state conductor studied in the Electromaterials laboratories at Deakin. These materials possess significant disorders and crystal defects which facilitate ionic motion and hence they are being investigated for use in batteries due to their attractive chemical and thermal stability including non-volatility and non-flammability as well as their soft materials properties which aid electroyte | electrode contact and processibility.

Mixed electronic/ionic composite materials based on OIPCs offer some unique properties in device fabrication. This project will investigate the electrical and ionic properties of new OIPC composites being synthesized in Deakin as part of the internationally recognised Electromaterials team. The student will apply a wide range of techniques for materials characterisation, surface characterisation and electrochemical testing through to battery device prototyping as part of the Deakin BatTRI-Hub. Opportunities for participation with industry partners and international collaborators within the Electromaterials network will provide the successful candidate with a strong professional base and excellent employment prospects.

Applications will remain open until a candidate has been appointed

This scholarship is available over 3 years.

• Stipend of $28,900 per annum tax exempt (2022 rate)
• Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
• International students only:  Tuition fees offset for the duration of 4 years. Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa.

To be eligible you must:

• be either a domestic or international candidate currently residing in Australia. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
• meet Deakin's PhD entry requirements
• be enrolling full time and hold an honours degree (first class) or an equivalent standard master's degree with a substantial research component.

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page for further information.

For more information about this scholarship, please contact Dr Xiaoen Wang

Dr Xiaoen Wang
Email Dr Xiaoen Wang
+61 3 924 68061