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)

101 - 111 of 111 works

2010

Journal Article

Glass-phase movement in yttria-stabilized zirconia/alumina composites

Knibbe, Ruth, Auchterlonie Graeme J., Mori, Toshiyuki, Lashtabeg, Anna and Drennan, John (2010). Glass-phase movement in yttria-stabilized zirconia/alumina composites. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 93 (5), 1494-1500. doi: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2010.03612.x

Glass-phase movement in yttria-stabilized zirconia/alumina composites

2010

Conference Publication

Origin of polarization losses in solid oxide electrolysis cells under high current density

Knibbe, R., Ebbesen, S. D. and Mogensen, M. (2010). Origin of polarization losses in solid oxide electrolysis cells under high current density. Electrochemical Technologies for Hydrogen Production - 217th ECS Meeting, Vancouver, BC, April 25, 2010-April 30, 2010. PENNINGTON: ELECTROCHEMICAL SOC INC. doi: 10.1149/1.3501097

Origin of polarization losses in solid oxide electrolysis cells under high current density

2010

Conference Publication

Investigation of failure mechanisms in TI containing brazing alloys used in SOFC/SOEC environments

Kiebach, Wolff-Ragnar, Knibbe, Ruth, Frederiksen, Kristian B., Chen, Ming, Mikkelsen, Lars and Hendriksen, Peter V. (2010). Investigation of failure mechanisms in TI containing brazing alloys used in SOFC/SOEC environments. 8th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, Brooklyn, NY, United States, Jun 14-16, 2010. New York, N.Y. United States: American Society of Mechanical Engineers. doi: 10.1115/FuelCell2010-33039

Investigation of failure mechanisms in TI containing brazing alloys used in SOFC/SOEC environments

2009

Journal Article

Effect of alumina additions in YSZ on the microstructure and degradation of the LSM-YSZ interface

Knibbe, R., Drennan, J. and Love, J.G. (2009). Effect of alumina additions in YSZ on the microstructure and degradation of the LSM-YSZ interface. Solid State Ionics, 180 (14-16), 984-989. doi: 10.1016/j.ssi.2009.04.006

Effect of alumina additions in YSZ on the microstructure and degradation of the LSM-YSZ interface

2009

Journal Article

Synthesis and characterisation of macroporous Yttria Stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) using polystyrene spheres as templates

Lashtabeg, Anna, Drennan, John, Knibbe, Ruth, Bradley, John L. and Lu, Gao Qing (2009). Synthesis and characterisation of macroporous Yttria Stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) using polystyrene spheres as templates. Microporous And Mesoporous Materials, 117 (1-2), 395-401. doi: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2008.07.018

Synthesis and characterisation of macroporous Yttria Stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) using polystyrene spheres as templates

2008

Conference Publication

Electrochemical characterization of planar anode supported SOFC with strontium-doped lanthanum cobalt oxide cathodes

Hjelm, J., Søgaard, M., Knibbe, R., Hagen, A. and Mogensen, M. (2008). Electrochemical characterization of planar anode supported SOFC with strontium-doped lanthanum cobalt oxide cathodes. Ionic and Mixed Conducting Ceramics 6 - 213th ECS Meeting, , , May 18, 2008-May 23, 2008. Electrochemical Society Inc.. doi: 10.1149/1.3050400

Electrochemical characterization of planar anode supported SOFC with strontium-doped lanthanum cobalt oxide cathodes

2008

Journal Article

Effect of alumina additions on the anode|electrolyte interface in solid oxide fuel cells

Knibbe, R., Drennan, J., Dicks, A. L. and Love, J. (2008). Effect of alumina additions on the anode|electrolyte interface in solid oxide fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 179 (2), 511-519. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.12.111

Effect of alumina additions on the anode|electrolyte interface in solid oxide fuel cells

2007

Journal Article

Ultrahigh electron emissive carbon nanotubes with nano-sized RuO2 particles deposition

Knibbe, Ruth, Nogita, Kazuhiro, Drennan, John, Noguchi, Tsuneyuki, Tatenuma, Katsuyoshi, Liu, Pou, Arai, Fumihito, Yashima, Eiji, Nishiwaki, Michiru and Kato, Shigeki (2007). Ultrahigh electron emissive carbon nanotubes with nano-sized RuO2 particles deposition. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 9 (6), 1201-1204. doi: 10.1007/s11051-006-9207-1

Ultrahigh electron emissive carbon nanotubes with nano-sized RuO2 particles deposition

2007

Other Outputs

Development of robust solid oxide fuel cells : electrode-electrolyte interfaces in solid oxide fuel cells at ceramic fuel cells limited

Knibbe, Ruth (2007). Development of robust solid oxide fuel cells : electrode-electrolyte interfaces in solid oxide fuel cells at ceramic fuel cells limited. PhD Thesis, School of Engineering, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/158544

Development of robust solid oxide fuel cells : electrode-electrolyte interfaces in solid oxide fuel cells at ceramic fuel cells limited

2006

Conference Publication

Analytical electron microscopy of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Drennan, John, Webb, Rick, Nogita, Kaz, Knibbe, Ruth, Auchterlonie, Graeme, Tatenuma, K. and Hunter, Jane (2006). Analytical electron microscopy of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. International Conference on Solid State Ionics, Baden-Baden, Germany, 17-22 July 2005. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ssi.2006.07.016

Analytical electron microscopy of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2005

Conference Publication

Optimisation of the electrolyte assembly at Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Amarasinghe, Sudath, Ammala, Paul, Aruliah, Sathia, Bellon, Olivier, Bolden, Roger, Knibbe, Ruth, Love, Jon, Ratnaraj, Raj and Zheng, Xiao (2005). Optimisation of the electrolyte assembly at Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited. 9th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, SOFC IX, Quebec, Canada, 15 - 20 May 2005. Electrochemical Society.

Optimisation of the electrolyte assembly at Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

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

    Developing Stable, Flexible and Scalable Zinc Batteries for Future Electronics

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle, Dr Miaoqiang Lyu

  • 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

    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

  • 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

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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communications@uq.edu.au