Summary
Nuria graduated in Chemistry from the University of Barcelona. After this, she pursued her PhD studies in hydrogen storage materials with Prof. Gregory at the University of Glasgow. She then moved to the University of St. Andrews to work as a Postdoctoral Fellow with Prof. Bruce in energy storage materials. In 2014, she moved with Prof. Bruce and his research group to Oxford (Materials Department, University of Oxford) to work as a Research Fellow where she took up the role of Team Leader of the Sodium-ion battery team. She started her independent career as a Lecturer in Chemistry at Lancaster University in 2017 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020. In November 2022 her research group and lab moved to Imperial College London where she is Senior Lecturer.
Dr Tapia-Ruiz has been the recipient of some awards including, the SRUK Emerging Talent Award (2022), the Lancaster Researcher of the Year Award (2021), the Royal Society of Chemistry mobility Award (2019), the CAMS Fellowship Award (2019), the STFC Batteries Proof of Concept Award (2017), the STFC Batteries Experimental Design Award (2016), the Elizabeth Aitken Award (2011), and the Rotary Club Award (2003).
The Tapia-Ruiz lab consists of a multidisciplinary research group of students and postdocs with an interest in the Physics and Chemistry of Materials for Energy Storage, primarily in the area of electrochemical energy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors.
Our research goal is to provide a rational design of electrochemical energy storage materials (electrodes and electrolytes) to improve battery performance in terms of energy, power and durability. We are interested in a range of battery chemistries with a particular focus on low cost and sustainability, from Li-ion batteries to post-lithium battery technologies. We employ a comprehensive range of lab and synchrotron-based techniques to probe materials at different length scales that allow us to gain insight into the structure-property relationships that govern the electrochemical activity in these materials. For more information about our research visit our website.
A full list of publications can be found in google scholar.
Diversity and inclusion statement
Our lab is built on collaboration, equality, respect for others and achievement recognition. We want all researchers, students and staff involved in our research projects to feel empowered and that they work in a positive environment at all times.
Recent news
Please see the latest news on the Tapia-Ruiz Group website
Positions currently available
Please see the Tapia-Ruiz Group website for more details on vacancies.
Publications
Journals
Murdock BE, Cen J, Squires AG, et al., 2024, Li-site defects induce formation of Li-rich impurity phases: implications for charge distribution and performance ofLiNi0.5-xMxMn1.5O4 cathodes (M = Fe and Mg; x = 0.05-0.2)., Advanced Materials, ISSN:0935-9648
Chinnakutti KK, Treerittiwittaya W, Gao H, et al., 2024, Solid-state Zn-ion batteries using composite cellulose polyethylene oxide materials-Illustration of reaction and capacity fading mechanisms, Polymer, Vol:299, ISSN:0032-3861
Wang B, Fitzpatrick JR, Brookfield A, et al., 2024, Electron paramagnetic resonance as a tool to determine the sodium charge storage mechanism of hard carbon, Nature Communications, Vol:15, ISSN:2041-1723
Haworth AR, Johnston BIJ, Wheatcroft L, et al., 2024, Structural Insight into Protective Alumina Coatings for Layered Li-Ion Cathode Materials by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy., Acs Appl Mater Interfaces, Vol:16, Pages:7171-7181
Menon AS, Johnston BJ, Booth SG, et al., 2023, Oxygen-Redox Activity in Non-Lithium-Excess Tungsten-Doped <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi>Li</mml:mi><mml:mi>Ni</mml:mi><mml:mi mathvariant="normal">O</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math> Cathode, Prx Energy, Vol:2