Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

During the last three hundred years chemical synthesis has come a long way, from the time of Alchemy to the complete synthesis of complex natural products like Taxol, to the assembly of complex nanomolecular particles and devices for dye sensitised solar cells. Today, the availability of fast computers, ubiquitous sensors, imaging techniques, and algorithms are transforming science from electrical engineering to synthetic biology but chemists are yet to embrace the revolution due to the difficulties of integrating chemistry, sensors, software, and material handling. Very recently we have started to explore the development of configurable chemical-robotic platforms for the discovery, optimisation, scale-up and control of syntheses using a range of approaches including flow systems, 3D printing and hybrid robotic platforms. While a number of leading groups internationally and in the UK are aiming to develop new approaches to the optimisation of chemical synthesis, we wish to take the idea a stage further and develop an integrated platform for the discovery of molecular entities (initially focussing on inorganics) and then assess their 'fitness' according to user needs to construct a new library of programmable chemical building blocks leading to new systems that can be rapidly manufactured and tested in a range of application areas. The development of a platform for molecular discovery is unprecedented; this step-change will place the UK as the world leader allowing us to link fundamental discovery with faster, smarter and cleaner manufacturing of new chemical entities with user-driven properties and functions. Therefore we aim to develop a new synthetic chemistry and engineering platform for the discovery of molecules, clusters and nanomaterials using an integrated hybrid chemo-robotic system integrating wetware (chemical reagents), hardware (reactors and sensors) and software (intelligent algorithms). By 'digital' programming it will be possible to optimise / change the course of the wetware as a function of the properties measured using algorithms controlled using a software system utilising the expertise of a team of chemists, electrical engineers and physicists, who share the vision of integration and advanced software control of matter. The chemical inputs will be based upon the assembly of molecular metal oxides (polyoxometalates) with well-defined physical properties using a computer controlled reaction system enabling closed loop chemical synthesis and discovery for the first time. The overall system will target new types of catalytically and electronically active materials with radically new properties via the chemical platform choosing from a Universal Building Block Library (UBBL) approach that links properties of the building blocks with emergent properties of the resulting clusters and materials. The hardware will be built from affordable customisable liquid handling robots, 3D printed reactionware, programmable milli-fluidics as well as linear, networked, and arrayed flow systems with a range of bespoke (CMOS based redox camera / ion sensitive arrays) and off the shelf sensor systems (pH, UV, Raman, mass spectrometry). Targeted properties include photochemical, electrochemical, and catalytically active molecules and materials defined by end-users that will allow us to develop algorithms for the discovery and scale-up of new clusters etc. This programme is supported by a number of partners with support of around £1.9 M in cash, £0.9 M in kind with support from GSK, Unilever, FTDICHIP, ACAL Energy, CMAC, and also with support from the University of Glasgow who will invest ca. £0.5 M equipment funds and 4 PhD students demonstrating a very strong commitment adding value to the EPSRC investment.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

The ability to store and release energy on demand is essential to an energy future that is based on clean, non-polluting and sustainable renewable energy. This includes both electrical and thermal energy and a large number of technologies are being developed to fulfil this need. Energy storage will become a major industry in our century and will employ hundreds of thousands of people globally. Energy storage will be everywhere - in large scale batteries connected to electrical networks, in homes to store energy generated from solar panels and in cars, replacing petrol engines. In order to meet this challenge and to ensure that UK plays an important role in this industry we will form a Centre of Doctoral Training in to train researchers at the highest level to help form and influence the direction of Energy Storage technologies. Our students will receive training in all aspects of energy but concentrating on the core technologies of electrochemical storage (batteries and supercapacitors), mechanical storage, thermal storage and superconducting magnetic energy storage. They will have the opportunity to interact with industrialists and gain experience in running a grid connected Lithium-ion battery. They will also undertake a major three-year research project allowing them to specialise in the topic of their choice.

This project has delivered the world's first fully functioning and field- tested 1kW stand alone PEM fuel cell powered system for the pumps in an environmental monitoring outflow plant at Solvay Interox’s Warrington site, using ACAL Energy's novel low cost platinum free cathode technology, FlowCath®. The project has built a deep understanding of the design & engineering requirements of the integrated 1kW system, as well undertaking detailed research into the unique fluid flows and stack designs for ACAL Energy's novel approach, including researching MEAs and materials to ensure durability and performance. Integral to the project has been the work to meet the challenging safety requirements of the installation on the chemical plant as well implementation from the outset of remote management capability of the system. The project has been led by ACAL Energy, who built and researched the stack configurations as well leading the field trial; Southampton University, developed simulation tools & fluid modelling; Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells, world leading catalyst and MEA specialists, provided the MEA for project; Solvay Interox hosted the field system and UPS Systems plc installed & configure the integrated system. The grant enabled the consortium of high-calibre, experienced groups with funding that balanced the high risk as well accelerated the deployment of this UK invented technology.