Visiting Scholar · S²AVE Lab
Hongzhen He
A Visiting Scholar and previous PDRA at Swansea University
Joined August 2026
Research
Hongzhen studies how coatings and separators can suppress side reactions in aqueous batteries. His research combines operando X-ray imaging, microscopy and electrochemical measurements to understand how gas evolution, metal deposition and loss of interfacial contact contribute to cell degradation.
Education and Research Experience
- Short-term Postdoctoral Research Associate at S²AVE Lab, sponsored by the Henry Royce Institute (August–November 2026).
- PhD in Chemical Engineering, University College London (2021–2026).
- Visiting research at Imperial College London, hosted by Professor Nigel Brandon.
- MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London (2020–2021).
- BEng in Chemical Engineering, University of Nottingham (2017–2020).
At Diamond Light Source, he led imaging experiments on how gas bubble formation and separator design affect dendrite growth in zinc-ion batteries. He also taught laboratory and sustainability modules at UCL.
Selected Journal Publications
- Self-assembled polyelectrolytes with ion-separation accelerating channels for highly stable Zn-ion batteries. Nature Communications, 16, 2316 (2025).
- Interfacial Engineering of Polymer Membranes with Intrinsic Microporosity for Dendrite-Free Zinc Metal Batteries. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, e202409322 (2024).
- Unveiling aqueous lithium-ion batteries via advanced modelling and characterisation: A review. Energy Storage Materials, 70, 103505 (2024).