Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe
Associate Professor

Ruth Knibbe

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54500

Background

My research focuses on materials for electrochemical energy systems, with a particular emphasis on electrochemistry, electron microscopy, and dabblings in the application of machine learning in materials discovery.

I joined the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland (UQ) as a Lecturer in 2016 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020 and Associate Professor in 2023.

I earned my PhD in Chemical Engineering from UQ in 2007. Following this, I spent four years at DTU Energy (Technical University of Denmark) and five years at the Robinson Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington.

My fundamental research interests include:

  • Operando electron microscopy characterisation for electrochemical systems - electrolysers and batteries
  • Development of novel battery materials, for sodium-based batteries including solid state batteries and anode free battery systems
  • Understanding degradation mechanisms in electrochemical systems - a current focus on carbon dioxide electrolysis systems.
  • Machine learning-driven material design.

My industry facing research interests include

  • Development of printed batteries for health monitoring and logistics applications.
  • Large-scale implementation of electrochemical energy systems for industry.
  • Understanding fire safety for large-scale battery systems.

Availability

Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Operando Electron Microscopy Characterisation for Electrochemical Systems

    Characterising materials under near-operating conditions provides invaluable insights into their real-world behaviour. In electron microscopy, achieving operando characterisation is particularly challenging due to the high-vacuum environment of the microscope. For battery systems with liquid electrolytes, this requires encapsulating the cell while maintaining electron transparency—a demanding experimental task. However, the ability to observe nanoscale phenomena in real time offers a unique advantage, enabling the development of more efficient and durable battery technologies.

  • Development of Novel Battery Materials

    Sodium-based batteries, which includes solid state batteries and anode-free systems, represent the future of sustainable and high-performance energy storage. A key focus of our research is the development of novel materials to optimise electrode interfaces and enhance cathode performance. By engineering interfaces, we aim to improve slow interfacial kinetics to reduce degradation. These advancements are essential for overcoming current limitations in next-generation battery technologies and enabling their large-scale commercial adoption.

  • Machine learning and robotics in new material design

    Leveraging machine learning for materials discovery is critical in the design of next-generation functional materials. Despite extensive research into new materials for various applications, many commercial systems continue to rely on well-established compositions. With a wealth of experimental data available, machine learning holds significant potential for unlocking the design of superior alternatives. In addition, the development of robotic systems to assist in high-throughput synthesis is accelerating the discovery and optimisation of novel materials. This approach fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together expertise from fields such as machine learning and robotics to drive innovation in materials science.

  • Understanding Fire Safety for Large-Scale Battery Systems

    As energy storage systems scale up, safety becomes an increasingly critical concern. Research in this area is essential for developing safer battery technologies, mitigating thermal runaway risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance for grid-scale and industrial applications. This work is conducted in collaboration with fire safety experts to assess the unique fire risks associated with large-scale battery systems. By combining expertise, the goal is to develop strategies and technologies that enhance the safety of large-scale energy storage systems.

Search Professor Ruth Knibbe’s works on UQ eSpace

111 works between 2005 and 2025
All (111) Journal Article (98) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (9) Other Outputs (1)

61 - 80 of 111 works

2020

Journal Article

Impact of micropores and dopants to mitigate lithium polysulfides shuttle over high surface area of ZIF-8 derived nanoporous carbons

Rana, Masud, Kim, Jeonghun, Peng, Lingyi, Lim, Hyunsoo, Kaiser, Rejaul, Ran, Lingbing, Luo, Bin, Han, Zhaojun, Hossain, Md. Shahriar A., Lu, Xunyu, Gentle, Ian, Yamauchi, Yusuke and Knibbe, Ruth (2020). Impact of micropores and dopants to mitigate lithium polysulfides shuttle over high surface area of ZIF-8 derived nanoporous carbons. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 3 (6) acsaem.0c00509, 5523-5532. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.0c00509

Impact of micropores and dopants to mitigate lithium polysulfides shuttle over high surface area of ZIF-8 derived nanoporous carbons

2020

Journal Article

Effect of plastic strain damage on the hydrogen embrittlement of a dual-phase (DP) and a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) advanced high-strength steel

Li, Huixing, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Zhou, Qingjun, Shi, Zhiming, Yan, Ming, Knibbe, Ruth, Zhang, Mingxing, Dong, Futao and Atrens, Andrej (2020). Effect of plastic strain damage on the hydrogen embrittlement of a dual-phase (DP) and a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) advanced high-strength steel. Materials Science and Engineering A, 785 139343, 139343. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2020.139343

Effect of plastic strain damage on the hydrogen embrittlement of a dual-phase (DP) and a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) advanced high-strength steel

2020

Journal Article

Separator coatings as efficient physical and chemical hosts of polysulfides for high-sulfur-loaded rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries

Rana, Masud, Li, Ming, He, Qiu, Luo, Bin, Wang, Lianzhou, Gentle, Ian and Knibbe, Ruth (2020). Separator coatings as efficient physical and chemical hosts of polysulfides for high-sulfur-loaded rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 44, 51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2019.08.017

Separator coatings as efficient physical and chemical hosts of polysulfides for high-sulfur-loaded rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries

2020

Journal Article

A study of membrane impact on spatial resolution of liquid in situ transmission electron microscope

Li, Ming and Knibbe, Ruth (2020). A study of membrane impact on spatial resolution of liquid in situ transmission electron microscope. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 26 (1), 126-133. doi: 10.1017/s143192761901523x

A study of membrane impact on spatial resolution of liquid in situ transmission electron microscope

2020

Journal Article

Front Cover: Catalyst–Electrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Reline Solutions for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction (ChemSusChem 2/2020)

Garg, Sahil, Li, Mengran, Rufford, Thomas E., Ge, Lei, Rudolph, Victor, Knibbe, Ruth, Konarova, Muxina and Wang, Geoff G. X. (2020). Front Cover: Catalyst–Electrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Reline Solutions for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction (ChemSusChem 2/2020). ChemSusChem, 13 (2), 278-278. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201903391

Front Cover: Catalyst–Electrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Reline Solutions for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction (ChemSusChem 2/2020)

2020

Journal Article

Catalyst‐electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

Garg, Sahil, Li, Mengran, Rufford, Thomas Edward, Ge, Lei, Rudolph, Victor, Knibbe, Ruth, Konarova, Muxina and Wang, Guoxiong (2020). Catalyst‐electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction. ChemSusChem, 13 (2) cssc.201902433, 304-311. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201902433

Catalyst‐electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

2020

Journal Article

Catalyst–Electrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Reline Solutions for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction

Garg, Sahil, Li, Mengran, Rufford, Thomas E., Ge, Lei, Rudolph, Victor, Knibbe, Ruth, Konarova, Muxina and Wang, Geoff G. X. (2020). Catalyst–Electrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Reline Solutions for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction. ChemSusChem, 13 (2), 282-282. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201903390

Catalyst–Electrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Reline Solutions for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction

2019

Journal Article

Multifunctional effects of sulfonyl-anchored, dual-doped multilayered graphene for high areal capacity lithium sulfur batteries

Rana, Masud, He, Qiu, Luo, Bin, Lin, Tongen, Ran, Lingbing, Li, Ming, Gentle, Ian and Knibbe, Ruth (2019). Multifunctional effects of sulfonyl-anchored, dual-doped multilayered graphene for high areal capacity lithium sulfur batteries. ACS Central Science, 5 (12) acscentsci.9b01005, 1946-1958. doi: 10.1021/acscentsci.9b01005

Multifunctional effects of sulfonyl-anchored, dual-doped multilayered graphene for high areal capacity lithium sulfur batteries

2019

Journal Article

Evaluation of SrCo0.8Nb0.2O3-δ, SrCo0.8Ta0.2O3-δ and SrCo0.8Nb0.1Ta0.1O3-δ as air electrode materials for solid oxide electrolysis and reversible solid oxide cells

Khan, Muhammad Shirjeel, Xu, Xiaoyong, Li, Mengran, Rehman, Ateeq-ur, Knibbe, Ruth, Yago, Anya Josefa and Zhu, Zhonghua (2019). Evaluation of SrCo0.8Nb0.2O3-δ, SrCo0.8Ta0.2O3-δ and SrCo0.8Nb0.1Ta0.1O3-δ as air electrode materials for solid oxide electrolysis and reversible solid oxide cells. Electrochimica Acta, 321 134654, 134654. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.134654

Evaluation of SrCo0.8Nb0.2O3-δ, SrCo0.8Ta0.2O3-δ and SrCo0.8Nb0.1Ta0.1O3-δ as air electrode materials for solid oxide electrolysis and reversible solid oxide cells

2019

Journal Article

Unveiling lithium roles in cobalt‐free cathodes for efficient oxygen reduction reaction below 600 °C

Rehman, Ateeq Ur, Li, Mengran, Knibbe, Ruth, Khan, M. Shirjeel, Zhou, Wei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2019). Unveiling lithium roles in cobalt‐free cathodes for efficient oxygen reduction reaction below 600 °C. ChemElectroChem, 6 (20), 5340-5348. doi: 10.1002/celc.201901452

Unveiling lithium roles in cobalt‐free cathodes for efficient oxygen reduction reaction below 600 °C

2019

Journal Article

Sandwich‐like ultrathin TiS 2 nanosheets confined within N, S codoped porous carbon as an effective polysulfide promoter in lithium‐sulfur batteries

Huang, Xia, Tang, Jiayong, Luo, Bin, Knibbe, Ruth, Lin, Tongen, Hu, Han, Rana, Masud, Hu, Yuxiang, Zhu, Xiaobo, Gu, Qinfen, Wang, Dan and Wang, Lianzhou (2019). Sandwich‐like ultrathin TiS 2 nanosheets confined within N, S codoped porous carbon as an effective polysulfide promoter in lithium‐sulfur batteries. Advanced Energy Materials, 9 (32) 1901872, 1901872. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201901872

Sandwich‐like ultrathin TiS 2 nanosheets confined within N, S codoped porous carbon as an effective polysulfide promoter in lithium‐sulfur batteries

2019

Journal Article

Enhancing oxygen reduction reaction activity and CO2 tolerance of cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells by in situ formation of carbonates

Rehman, Ateeq Ur, Li, Mengran, Knibbe, Ruth, Khan, Muhammad Shirjeel, Peterson, Vanessa K., Brand, Helen E. A., Li, Zhiheng, Zhou, Wei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2019). Enhancing oxygen reduction reaction activity and CO2 tolerance of cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells by in situ formation of carbonates. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 11 (30) acsami.9b07668, 26909-26919. doi: 10.1021/acsami.9b07668

Enhancing oxygen reduction reaction activity and CO2 tolerance of cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells by in situ formation of carbonates

2019

Journal Article

The role of functional materials to produce high areal capacity lithium sulfur battery

Rana, Masud, Luo, Bin, Kaiser, Mohammad Rejaul, Gentle, Ian and Knibbe, Ruth (2019). The role of functional materials to produce high areal capacity lithium sulfur battery. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 42, 195-209. doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2019.06.015

The role of functional materials to produce high areal capacity lithium sulfur battery

2019

Journal Article

Cyclic voltammetry in lithium–sulfur batteries—challenges and opportunities

Huang, Xia, Wang, Zhiliang, Knibbe, Ruth, Luo, Bin, Ahad, Syed Abdul, Sun, Dan and Wang, Lianzhou (2019). Cyclic voltammetry in lithium–sulfur batteries—challenges and opportunities. Energy Technology, 7 (8) ente.201801001. doi: 10.1002/ente.201801001

Cyclic voltammetry in lithium–sulfur batteries—challenges and opportunities

2019

Conference Publication

Catalyst-electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

Garg, Sahil, Li, Mengran, Rufford, Thomas E., Ge, Lei, Rudolph, Victor, Knibbe, Ruth, Konarova, Muxina and Wang, Geoff (2019). Catalyst-electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction. 4th Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 November 2019.

Catalyst-electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

2019

Journal Article

Recent advances in separators to mitigate technical challenges associated with re-chargeable lithium sulfur batteries

Rana, Masud, Li, Ming, Huang, Xia, Luo, Bin, Gentle, Ian and Knibbe, Ruth (2019). Recent advances in separators to mitigate technical challenges associated with re-chargeable lithium sulfur batteries. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 7 (12), 6596-6615. doi: 10.1039/c8ta12066h

Recent advances in separators to mitigate technical challenges associated with re-chargeable lithium sulfur batteries

2018

Journal Article

Review on areal capacities and long-term cycling performances of lithium sulfur battery at high sulfur loading

Rana, Masud, Ahad, Syed Abdul, Li, Ming, Luo, Bin, Wang, Lianzhou, Gentle, Ian and Knibbe, Ruth (2018). Review on areal capacities and long-term cycling performances of lithium sulfur battery at high sulfur loading. Energy Storage Materials, 18, 289-310. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2018.12.024

Review on areal capacities and long-term cycling performances of lithium sulfur battery at high sulfur loading

2018

Journal Article

Non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on copper oxide and multi-wall carbon nanotubes using PEDOT:PSS matrix

Amirzadeh, Zhila, Javadpour, Sirus, Shariat, Mohammad Hossein and Knibbe, Ruth (2018). Non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on copper oxide and multi-wall carbon nanotubes using PEDOT:PSS matrix. Synthetic Metals, 245, 160-166. doi: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2018.08.021

Non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on copper oxide and multi-wall carbon nanotubes using PEDOT:PSS matrix

2018

Journal Article

An integrated approach towards enhanced performance of Lithium Sulfur Battery and its fading mechanism

Huang, Xia, Luo, Bin, Knibbe, Ruth, Hu, Han, Lyu, Miaoqiang, Xiao, Mu, Sun, Dan, Wang, Songcan and Wang, Lianzhou (2018). An integrated approach towards enhanced performance of Lithium Sulfur Battery and its fading mechanism. Chemistry - A European Journal, 24 (69), 18544-18550. doi: 10.1002/chem.201804369

An integrated approach towards enhanced performance of Lithium Sulfur Battery and its fading mechanism

2018

Journal Article

Porous scandia-stabilized zirconia layer for enhanced performance of reversible solid oxide cells

Khan, Muhammad Shirjeel, Xu, Xiaoyong, Knibbe, Ruth and Zhu, Zhonghua (2018). Porous scandia-stabilized zirconia layer for enhanced performance of reversible solid oxide cells. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 10 (30), 25295-25302. doi: 10.1021/acsami.8b05504

Porous scandia-stabilized zirconia layer for enhanced performance of reversible solid oxide cells

Current funding

  • 2025
    High speed multi modal in-situ TEM platform (ARC LIEF grant administered by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2030
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Integrated high-throughput material synthesis and characterisation system
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Interfacial engineering of multilayered metal organic framework membranes (ARC DP grant administered by UTS)
    University of Technology Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Understanding dynamic interfaces in electrochemical systems
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024
    In-Situ X-Ray Powder Diffraction Study the Sodium Ion Storage Mechanism in Sodium Titanate Nanobelts
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    In-Situ X-Ray Powder Diffraction Study the Sodium Ion Storage Mechanism in Prussian Blue Analogue Cathode Materials
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Understanding the Anion Intercalation/De-intercalation in Graphite Cathodes for Dual-Ion Batteries using In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    In-Situ X-Ray Powder Diffraction Study the Sodium Ion Storage Mechanism in Graphite Analogues
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Study of Potassium-Ion Storage Mechanism in Titanium Oxide Anode Using In-situ X-ray Powder Diffraction
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Understanding Na deposition behaviours on brass current collectors in batteries using in-situ X-ray power diffraction
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Battery and Fuel Cell Technology for Locomotive Decarbonisation
    Aurizon Operations Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Sodium ion interactions with biomass-derived hard carbon electrodes
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    A correlative cryo-microscopy suite (ARC LIEF project administered by USYD)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    An Integrated Materials Surface Analytical Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    An ion-beam engineered microstructure for high-performance superconducting films (Royal Society of New Zealand grant administered by Victoria University of Wellington)
    Victoria University of Wellington
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Imaging in the nano-scale age: terahertz and millimetre wave microanalysis
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Hydrogen embrittlement and hydrogen-influenced low-cycle fatigue of advanced h-strength steels and parts for auto service
    Baosteel-Australia Joint Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2017
    In-situ transmission electron microscopy of Li-S batteries
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Design of membranes for lithium recovery and batteries.

    Develop the next generation of metal-organic framework membranes that allows for fast and selective ion transport, which has important applications in critical minerals recovery and energy storage systems. Come join our growing group working on the leading edge of ion membrane design.

  • Design of membranes for lithium recovery and batteries.

    Develop the next generation of metal-organic framework membranes that allows for fast and selective ion transport, which has important applications in critical minerals recovery and energy storage systems. Come join our growing group working on the leading edge of ion membrane design.

  • Advanced imaging of electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide conversion

    Development of advanced electron microscopy methods to understand the behaviour of carbon dioxide electrolyser electrocatalysts.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Durable Solid-State Batteries

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Qingbing Xia

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Interface design in solid state batteries

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Advanced imaging of CO2 electrochemical conversion materials.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tom Rufford

  • Doctor Philosophy

    In-situ characterisation of electrochemical energy systems

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle, Dr Qingbing Xia

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing Stable, Flexible and Scalable Zinc Batteries for Future Electronics

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle, Dr Miaoqiang Lyu

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Design of New Conductive Nanoarchitectured Materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yusuke Yamauchi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Efficient and Sustainable Ni-Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Additive manufacturing of H13 steel

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan, Professor Mingxing Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    CO2 electrolyser degradation mechanisms and accelerated testing methods

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ray Bi, Professor Tom Rufford

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a new electro-chemical technology to remove nitrate and heavy metals from groundwater for remote communities.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Bernardino Virdis, Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Design of New Conductive Nanoarchitectured Materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Yusuke Yamauchi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Efficient and Sustainable Ni-Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Design of New Wrought Aluminium Alloys with Improved Performance Assisted by Machine Learning

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan, Professor Mingxing Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Materials for electrocatalysis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe directly for media enquiries about:

  • Batteries
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electron microscopy
  • Fuel cells
  • Materials engineering

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