Advanced nanofabrication; Nanomaterials and nanotechnology; Energy storage systems; Next-generation batteries. Anticipated commencement is May 2025 or as soon as possible afterward.

Professor Jian Liu is seeking applications for two Ph.D. student vacancies in the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus. The candidates are expected to play major roles in materials and process development for lithium-sulfur batteries and graphite recycling. 

Ph.D. #1: Lithium-sulfur batteries

This research will focus on the cathode (S and TexSy) and solid electrolyte structure design for solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries, mechanism studies using advanced characterization, and demonstration of the battery chemistry in coin and pouch cells (up to 2 Ah).

Ph.D. #2: Graphite recycling

This research direction will emphasize recycling process optimization of graphite anodes from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, physical and chemical characterizations of the graphite materials at different stages, and electrochemical evaluation of the recycled graphite in new lithium-ion batteries. The Ph.D. candidate will work closely with other teams in life cycle assessment and simulation in the UBC Battery Innovation Cluster and with a local battery manufacturing company to demonstrate the recycled graphite in 18650 cylindrical cells.