Joseph Woods

The primary focus of this PhD is the investigation of the reversible adsorption/desorption reactions of NH3 with metal salts for the purpose of long term thermal energy storage. Using various metal salts ammine complexes (NiCl2.6NH3, CoCl2.6NH3, NiSO4.6NH3, CoSO4.6NH3), heat energy is converted to chemical potential energy upon the desorption of NH3 whilst the reversed occurs upon adsorption. Through investigation several properties like energy storage density, volume, cycling and chemical stability, the thermogravimetric performances of each metal salt can be assessed. The effects of the implementation of a graphene aerogel matrix is also investigated with the aim of improving flaws with the pure metal salts.

In short, this PhD looks to utilise the adsorption/desorption of NH3 with metal salt-incorporated graphene aerogel composite sorbents to resolve the energy supply and demand issues associated with current renewable energy sources such as solar thermal heating.

To describe my interests outside of this PhD, my primary interests involve video games, reading sci-fi/fantasy books and watching comedy stand-up/improv.