Change Makers, a brand new six-part documentary series by RTÉ and the Irish Universities Association (IUA) exploring game-changing university research projects. UL has partnered with RTÉ, the IUA and producers New Decade to bring Ireland’s Change Makers, transformative research-led projects and the inspiring people behind them, to television. The series starts on Monday, January 3 at 8.30pm on RTÉ1 and charts the work of university researchers including Professor Seán Redmond, Adjunct Professor of Youth Justice at the School of Law and Principal Investigator on the REPPP Programme and Professor Kevin M Ryan, Chair of Chemical Nanotechnology at the Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute and principal investigator on the EU-funded project Si-Drive.
Professor Ryan, will discuss the Si-Drive project in an episode focusing on environment and energy on January 10 at 8.30pm on RTE One television and the RTE Player. Si-DRIVE will tackle the major barriers to electric vehicle (EV) uptake, which relate to driving range, cost and recharge times, by completely re-imagining the lithium ion battery. Si-DRIVE will develop the next generation of rechargeable Li-ion batteries, allowing for cost competitive mass market EVs by transformative materials and cell chemistry innovations, delivering enhanced safety with superior energy density, cycle life and fast charging capability using sustainable and recyclable components. The technology encompasses amorphous Si coated onto a conductive copper silicide network as the anode with polymer/ionic liquid electrolytes and Li-rich high voltage (Co-free) cathodes via processes that are scalable and demonstrably manufacturable within Europe. The components have been demonstrated at TRL3 through preliminary lab-scale analysis, with a clear component improvement strategy to arrive at a TRL5 prototype demonstration by the end of Si-DRIVE. Click here for more information, https://www.iua.ie/changemakers