Overview
Background
My research interests are in materials for energy generation and storage with specific interest in electrochemistry and electron microscopy
I joined the School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering at UQ as a Lecturer in 2016 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020.
I received my PhD from UQ in Chemical Engineering in 2007. Since completing my PhD I spent 4 years at DTU-Energy (Danish Technical University) and subsequently 5 years at the Robinson Research Institute at Victoria University of Wellington.
My interests are concerned with: in-situ methods for characterising fuel cell and battery materials, the application of machine learning in new material design, development of new materials for novel battery systems (including solid state batteries) and understanding degradation mechanisms in fuel cell and battery systems.
Availability
- Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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In-situ electron microscopy methods for characterising battery materials
Being able to characterise a material in close to operating conditions allows for a real and unique insight into the material behaviour. In electron microscopy, in-situ characterisation is complicated as the electron microscope operates in a strong vacuum. For in-situ observation of battery systems (with a liquid electrolyte) this requires that the cell is encapsulated, while still remaining electron transparent. This work is experimentally challenging, but the unique insight into in-situ nano-scale phenomenon allows battery developers to design improved battery systems.
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Machine learning in new material design for high temperature solid oxide cells
I am interested in the field of machine learning and the application of this to oxygen electrode development for high temperature solid oxide cells. Countless studies into new oxygen electrode materials have been reported with still the most popular system for commercial application being the old La-Sr-Mn-O system. From all of this experimental work can a new material be designed? I am interested in collaborators for this work.
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Degradation phenomenon in battery and fuel cell systems
Thousands of new electrode materials have been designed, but what holds back many of these new electrode materials from real-life application is the long-term degradation. Degradation phenomenon are system and operating condition dependent. I am interested in researching and understanding how to limit degradation either through material, microstructure or operational design.
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New electrodes for Li-S batteries
The energy density of the Li-ion battery is limited be the capacity of the cathode material. Li-S batteries are considered a suitable alternative due to a higher theoretical energy capacity and the low cost of the electrode materials. However, the solubility of the sulphide reaction products and the accompanying problem with cycling stability is an issue for these cells. We are interested into developing new electrolyte systems that reduce the long-term degradation of the Li-S battery.
Works
Search Professor Ruth Knibbe’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Interface design in solid state batteries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle
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Doctor Philosophy
In-situ characterisation of electrochemical energy systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle, Dr Qingbing Xia
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Stable, Flexible and Scalable Zinc Batteries for Future Electronics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle, Dr Miaoqiang Lyu
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Doctor Philosophy
Design of New Conductive Nanoarchitectured Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yusuke Yamauchi
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Doctor Philosophy
Additive manufacturing of H13 steel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan, Professor Mingxing Zhang
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of a new electro-chemical technology to remove nitrate and heavy metals from groundwater for remote communities.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Dr Pablo Ledezma
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Materials for electrocatalysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Development of High-Performance Solid-State Sodium-Ion Batteries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lianzhou Wang
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Functional materials to enable durable and high loading lithium-sulfur batteries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Gentle, Associate Professor Bin Luo
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Molybdenum Oxide Based Electrodes for Aqueous Electrochemical Energy Storage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim Duignan
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development and Performance Evaluation of Abrasion-Resistant White Cast Irons Containing Macro-Additions of Niobium Carbide
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeff Gates
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Microstructural Parameters and Abrasive Environment on Sliding Abrasion of Single-reinforced and Dual-reinforced White Cast Irons
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeff Gates
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Design of New Two-dimensional Hybrid Materials for Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Bin Luo, Professor Lianzhou Wang
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Air Electrode Stability for Solid Oxide Cells
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of CO2 Tolerant Cathode Materials for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe directly for media enquiries about:
- Batteries
- Electrochemistry
- Electron microscopy
- Fuel cells
- Materials engineering
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