Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

The key to making longer-lasting electric vehicle batteries may not be specialised materials or new chemistry, but simple physical pressure, according to new led by the University of Cambridge.

⚡🔋👉 https://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/physical-pressure-could-make-ev-batteries-last-twice-long-and-reduce-environmental-impact

Researchers studied the role of physical pressure on the lifetime of lithium-ion batteries and found that keeping batteries under constant pressure could double their lifespan.

Such gains are unheard of in battery development, where tweaks to battery composition usually result in gains of five to 10%. Extending the lifetime of electric vehicle batteries would not only reduce the rate at which they end up in landfill or recycling, but would also reduce the environmental pressures associated with nickel or cobalt mining.

However, the pressure needs to be just right – too much or too little will cause the batteries to fail. The researchers built a custom device to keep the pressure on the battery in this ‘Goldilocks’ zone, without the need for any specialised chemistry. Their results are reported in the journal Nature Energy.

The has been tested at a laboratory scale, but will need to be scaled up for commercial battery applications. A patent has been filed by Cambridge Enterprise, the University’s arm.

cc. Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge | St John's College

Researchers led by the University of Cambridge studied the role of physical pressure on the lifetime of lithium-ion batteries and found that keeping batteries under constant pressure could double their lifespan. Such gains are unheard of in battery development, where tweaks to battery composition us...

07/09/2026

26/08/2026

Alumna Amy Shang set out to cut transport emissions and is now the CEO of the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. She is working to accelerate the world’s transition to EVs for a more sustainable, less polluted world.

Amy’s journey from PhD researcher at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), to CEO of ZHIDA TECH (ZD Energy), the world’s largest manufacturer of EV chargers, highlights the power of mission-driven learning.

Who: Dr Amy Shang, CEO at ZD Energy What: PhD from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM)’s Centre for International Manufacturing (CIM) focused on the emerging EV industry, 2010/14 Why: To accelerate the world’s transition to EVs for a more sustainable, less polluted world. Amy’s journey from ...

17/08/2026

Amazing to see Trust alumnus Alex Kendall making such an impact with his startup, Wayve! 🎉

Licences have been granted that could see his company's technology powering the first self-driving taxi services on the streets of London.

Originally from New Zealand, we are proud to say that Alex attended Cambridge as a Trust and Woolf Fisher Scholar.

Alex cited that the project was born out of his robotics experience during his PhD research at the University of Cambridge.

Watch Alex Kendall's inspiring interview with The Economist https://www.economist.com/insider/inside-tech/the-man-putting-self-driving-cars-on-britains-streets [paywall] or read more about his story in The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/05/self-driving-taxis-approved-london-summer-2026-wayve-uber.

17/08/2026

Alumna Ana-Maria Marcu tells her story

14/08/2026

Congratulations to Olly S, who studied four A-Levels and is celebrating his results: Maths - A*, Further Maths - A*, Physics - A*, Chemistry - A*.
Olly joined us in Year 12 and with the support of our Sixth Form team, took part in the Outreach Programme (CHAS) at Cambridge University, which he believes helped in his preparation to apply for Cambridge. He is going on to study Engineering at Caius College Cambridge.

13/08/2026

Congratulations Kiyah-Louise, these are incredible results 👏🌟

Kiyah-Louise, a bursary student continuing on to Cambridge to study Engineering, said: “I’m most proud of myself for staying resilient, without that I wouldn’t be where I am today.

"I would say to anyone considering applying, don’t be afraid to go for opportunities. At MHSG there’s a plethora. Go for everything, chase rejection. That one ‘yes’ will propel you to where you want to be.”

We’re so proud of Kiyah, and everything she has accomplished during her time here at Manchester High School for Girls. We wish her every success in her journey going forward and cannot wait to follow her achievements beyond MHSG.
University of Cambridge