Role: Associate Professor at Bilecik Seyh Edebali University in Turkey and a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Imperial College London 

Subject area:  Developing sustainable materials for use in sodium ion batteries from biomass sources.

Nationality: Turkish

I am working as an Associate Professor at a state university in Turkey and conducting research on sodium ion batteries at Imperial Collage London. I studied for my PhD on a training program for future academics in Turkey. As a result I have taught in state universities and served as a coordinator of scientific projects in Turkey. As part of international collaborations, I have also done some research in Japan. During a short post doctoral position at Imperial, I have gained experience in battery materials, cell assembly, and electrochemistry and am continuing my research in this area.

Education

Education

GCSE (or equivalent): Senior Secondary School examinations in Maths, Further Math, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English and Geography

 A-levels (or equivalent): Turkish University entrance exams in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology together with social sciences including Philosophy, Geography and History.

Degrees
• BSc in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration (double major), Anadolu University, Turkey
• MSc in Chemical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Anadolu University, Turkey

Detail about Hanbo

Research

My research

My research is on developing sustainable materials for use in sodium ion batteries using biomass sources. I also include some unique metals like tin into these biomass sources to form composites.  These materials greatly improve the performance of sodium ion batteries.

My inspiration

My inspiration

I was inspired by today’s Li-ion batteries and gigafactories associated with electrification of transportation.

My STEM hero

Who is your STEM hero?

Marie Curie, Polish and naturalised-French physicist and chemist. She was an ambitious women and dedicated her life to the chemical sciences.

two rows of stacked AA batteries in various colours

Most significant discovery/invention?

Energy conversion systems and storage systems such as batteries. They are game changers for powering modern life and are allowing the addition of renewable energy into the energy mix. Moreover, they will contribute to a cleaner future for the next generation.

A lecturer and a student discuss equations written on a blackboard

Career options after study

  • University Professor 
  • Academic researcher
Hand placing a piece of a jigsaw puzzle

My hobbies

I enjoy swimming, jigsaw puzzles, travelling and learning about different cultures.