Ceres Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair
Ceres is delighted to announce Professor Stephen Skinner as the Ceres Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Electrochemical Devices for a Zero Carbon Economy
The five-year position is a new industry–academia research partnership that will focus on developing solid oxide cells that convert fuel to electricity and in reverse operation can produce clean hydrogen. It is intended that Professor Skinner, from Imperial College London, will establish a world-leading research group in the field of materials engineering.
Solid oxide cells are some of the most efficient energy conversion devices, and their development in low-carbon and zero carbon systems, can play a vital part of a net zero future. Ceres’ ambitions for fuel cells, electrolysis and next generation technology innovation requires state-of-the-art materials and electrochemical technology tools developed through pioneering academic and industrial research.
The UK is well placed to commercially exploit its historic excellence and Professor Skinner is one of the world’s leading experts in electrochemical technology. This collaboration aims to build an enduring partnership and to accelerate the deployment of new discoveries in the energy technology space and advances in materials engineering that can offer clean, affordable solutions to serve both developed and developing economies.
Professor Skinner says: “Lowering carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 is an ambitious target to reduce our environmental impact – developing this technology will make a direct contribution to achieving this ambition, through use of solid oxide cells in a wide range of energy applications, from domestic heating and transport to data centres, and hydrogen production, enabled by the flexibility of the device output.”
Mark Selby, Chief Technology Officer of Ceres added: “Ceres is committed to clean energy innovation in everything it does and this collaboration with Imperial College and the Royal Academy of Engineering is another example of that. Ceres has made substantial commercial progress and now looks to both broaden and deepen our academic programmes. This relationship with Imperial College is the keystone of that approach and Prof. Skinner is, in our view, a leading global protagonist in this technology area. We look forward to working with him and helping to develop the most talented future scientists who will be trained in this prestigious institution.”