A new partnership in the UK aims to speed up the development of advanced battery technologies, boost industrial growth and contribute to national net zero ambitions.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre has joined forces with the Faraday Institution to identify ways to accelerate progress in battery research.
The collaboration links the Faraday Institution’s leading battery science with the Hartree Centre’s expertise in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Working under a shared statement of intent, the organisations are assessing opportunities to apply AI-driven modelling, simulation and other digital tools to support the UK battery sector and help position the country for long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Driving faster innovation
Dr Kate Royse, Director of the STFC Hartree Centre, said the partnership represents an important step for the UK’s research and industrial communities.
She noted that combining Hartree’s capabilities in AI and supercomputing with the Faraday Institution’s research strengths will enable scientists and businesses to design and test new battery solutions more rapidly and efficiently. According to Royse, the joint effort will help develop essential digital skills, reinforce the UK’s global leadership in battery innovation and support national growth and decarbonisation targets.
Bridging laboratory research and commercial deployment
Professor Martin Freer, Chief Executive of the Faraday Institution, highlighted the strategic benefits of the collaboration. He said the partnership could give the UK a competitive edge in battery science and manufacturing by helping to advance technologies from early-stage research through to real-world application.
Freer added that aligning the capabilities of both organisations will strengthen high-tech manufacturing, enhance the UK’s scientific and industrial capacity, and accelerate the uptake of digital tools.
Strengthening the UK’s innovation ecosystem
The Hartree Centre, based at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory within Sci-Tech Daresbury in the Liverpool City Region, is a national hub for supercomputing and digital technologies. Its teams specialise in areas ranging from AI and high-performance computing to data analytics.
The Faraday Institution serves as the UK’s independent centre for electrochemical energy storage research, skills development and early commercialisation. It connects academic researchers with industry to develop next-generation batteries and improve performance for future energy systems.
Building skills and global connections
A core aim of the collaboration is to expand the UK’s talent pipeline. Both organisations plan to deliver advanced training for researchers in academia and industry, equipping them with the expertise needed to apply AI and high-performance computing to battery development.
The partners also intend to forge new international links, including the creation of a global consortium dedicated to developing exascale-ready software for next-generation battery simulations.
For more details, visit the Faraday Institution.
Source: UKRI
