Facilities

Students will undertake research within several core and collaborating departments, many of whom have research groups with recognised Energy related expertise:

Process Fluidics Group
Electronic and Photonic Molecular Materials Group
Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre
The NERC National Centre for Terrestrial Carbon Dynamics
The Immobilisation Science Laboratory
The EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies
Biological & Environmental Systems / ChELSI
Electrical Machines and Drives Group
Siemens Wind Power Reserch Centre
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
The Low Carbon Combustion Centre
The Ceramics and Composites Laboratory
Environment and Structures Research Group
Understanding Risk: Climate Change & Energy Choices Research Group

Process Fluidics Group

Headed by Professor Ray Allen, the Group has well-established cross-disciplinary interactions with many universities and institutions, as well as longstanding industrial interactions. Research includes hydrogen from water utilising thermochemical cycles and photocatalytic reduction; catalysts for reduced energy demands in chemical processes; and power fluidics research with potential to modernise oil and gas production plants.

Process Fluidics Group webiste

Electronic and Photonic Molecular Materials Group

Headed by Professor David Lidzey, the Group has particular interests in the development of low cost organic photovoltaic devices (solar cells) to harvest solar-energy. With strong links to the Kroto Insitute on the North Campus and the Department of Chemistry at Sheffield, the Group are developing new materials and processes, and aim to drive organic photovoltaic devices towards commercialization.

Electronic and Photonic Molecular Materials Group website

Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre

A leading international research centre for thermal treatment of wastes led by Professor Vida Nasserzadeh-Sharifi. The Centre received the "Queen's Anniversary Prize for Environmental Outreach" (2001) and helped to develop one of the UK's largest district heating systems. Industrial collaborators include Onyx Environmental Ltd., Yorkshire Water and EON.

Sheffield University Waste Incineration Centre webiste

The NERC National Centre for Terrestrial Carbon Dynamics

Directed by Professor Sean Quegan, the Centre studies the movement of gases between forests and the atmosphere which play an enormous role in maintaining the Earth's climate. CTDC aims to understand the role of terrestrial ecosystems, especially forests, in the carbon cycle and reduce uncertainties in the terrestrial carbon budget. Earth Observation data plays a crucial role in monitoring greenhouse gases and helps direct research into sustainable biofuels.

The NERC National Centre for Terrestrial Carbon Dynamics website

The Immobilisation Science Laboratory

Directed by Dr. Neil Hyatt, the Centre addresses the decline in the UK nuclear science knowledge base, radioactive waste immobilisation in cement, glass or ceramic matrices, and toxic waste. The ISL has many contracts with the nuclear industry.

Immobilisation Science Laboratory website

The EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies

Co-Director Professor P Houston is internationally known for producing state-of-the-art semiconductor epitaxy and device fabrication. The centre provides collaborative access to world class expertise state-of-the-art facilities. The Centre has produced solar cell technology which has led to the spin-out company QuantaSol.

EPSRC National Centre for III-V Technologies website

Biological & Environmental Systems / ChELSI

Both are interdisciplinary groups interested in understanding biological and environmental systems at the subcellular, cellular and systems levels. They apply system biology techniques to biochemical, biomedical and environmental engineering problems for improvements in areas ranging from pharmaceuticals and biofuels to microorganisms for the production of biofuels.

Biological & Environmental Systems website

ChELSI website

Electrical Machines & Drives Group

Led by Professor Qiang Zhu, the Group hosts the Rolls-Royce UTC in Advanced Electrical Machines and Drives, which underpins research in power electronic devices and packaging technologies. Resarch areas include hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicles, high power density traction motors, exhaust gas energy recovery, technologies with applications in wind and wave power generation, and 'more-electric' aero-engines. The Group has numerous UK and international industrial collaborators

Electrical Machines and Drives Group website

Siemens Wind Power Reserch Centre

This centre is the first of its kind in the UK and is expected to employ an estimated 20 people and will focus on developing the most reliable, innovative and efficient wind turbine generators that will be at the forefront of future onshore and offshore wind power systems.

The University of Sheffield was chosen following Siemens long-term partnership with the University´s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, which includes the Electrical Machines and Drives Group. Headed-up by Professor Qiang Zhu, the group undertakes world-leading research on technologies that are vital to future developments in electrical power engineering.

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

The Centre researches manufacturing technologies directly related to the aerospace industry, directed by Professor Keith Ridgway. Past projects have led to a step change in machining capability of industrial sponsors and their supply chain. The research aims to reduce energy consumption in processing and transport of parts and equipment. Vast industry support includes Boeing, Rolls Royce and Siemens, among many others. An allied Centre for Composites and Advanced Materials Technology is developing a world-class centre of excellence for technologies in wind turbine systems and reducing fossil fuel demand.

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre website

The Low Carbon Combustion Centre

An energy and power research facility maintaining world-class research and testing facilities, with the industrial and research background to provide unique solutions. Directed by Professor Chris Wilson, the Centre boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a gas turbine combustion facility and a fundamental combustion and fuels research laboratory.

LCCC website and PDF download

The Ceramics and Composites Laboratory

Led by Professor Tony West, the laboratory carries out research on solid state chemistry of electroceramics with applications in ionically-conducting materials for lithium battery applications. Research has applications in wind turbines and oxyfuel combustion in fuel cells. Alongside numerous institutional partners, research links exist with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield.

Ceramics and Composites Laboratory website

Environment and Structures Research Group

With the building sector accounting for 40% of total gas emissions, ESRG addresses sustainable and environmental performance of the built environment, including reduced carbon emissions from buildings. Led by Professor Steve Sharples, ESRG has created SaBRE, a joint initiative between UoS and the Building Research Establishment to create a North of England centre for environmental profiling, certification, training, consultancy and research. Research inlcudes studies on environmental design of buildings with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency.

Environment and Structures Research Group website

Understanding Risk: Climate Change & Energy Choices Research Group

A multi-university research team led by Professor JR Eiser. Research focuses on public understandings and opinions of climate change and the energy technologies seen as playing an important role in securing the UK's energy-future, whilst simultaneously mitigating the effects of this global issue (e.g. Biomass, CCS, Wind Power, and Nuclear Power).

Energy Choices Research Group Website