Projects

Driving innovation at the intersection of robotics, AI, and automation, I spearhead transformative national and international research projects. My expertise is not just in leading but in revolutionizing how technology is applied across various domains.

RELIB - Reuse and Recycling Lithium-ion Batteries

The ReLiB project, funded by the Faraday Institution with a £18.5m investment, is focused on pioneering sustainable management solutions for lithium-ion batteries at the end of their lifecycle in electric vehicles.

In this project, my mission is to revolutionize the recycling process by robotizing the testing, disassembly, and sorting of EV batteries. As a co-leader of the robotics segment, I've developed innovative AI-based robotic techniques tailored for battery disassembly tasks such as cutting, unbolting, and pulling, adaptable to various battery models. Additionally, I've developed advanced machine learning models capable of accurately predicting the state of health and remaining useful life of EV batteries, further enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the recycling process.

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REBELION - Research and development of a highly automated and safe streamlined process for increased Lithium-ion battery repurposing and recycling

REBELION, an ambitious project funded by the European Union, tackles the intricate waste management challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric mobility.

As the Co-Principal Investigator, my unique mission within this project is to pioneer a specialized robotics solution. This solution, distinct from the broader goals of REBELION, focuses on integrating digital passports with advanced robotic systems. This integration is designed to enable the precise disassembly of a wide array of EV batteries, ranging from the pack level down to the cell level, thereby revolutionizing battery recycling processes in the realm of electric mobility.

Mutual cross-contamination between automated non-destructive testing and adaptive robotics for extreme environments

Funded by The Royal Society and in collaboration with the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy's Institute for High-Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), this project represents a significant international partnership in the field of robotics and AI.

As the leader of this cross-border collaboration, I oversee bilateral exchanges between our two esteemed research organizations. Our primary objective is to share and integrate our respective expertise in robotics. This involves a synergistic merging of our advanced software and algorithms in robotics and AI, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and innovation that transcends geographical boundaries.

Developing a multi-robot task planner for robotic disassembly of Lithium-ion battery disassembly in industrial scale

I lead and supervise an innovative PhD project funded by the MTC, focusing on the development of a hybrid task planner. This advanced system is designed to enable multiple robots to efficiently collaborate in disassembling complex products, such as EV batteries. Importantly, our method is versatile, allowing for the adaptation to various types of EV batteries, setting a new standard in battery disassembly processes.

Developing a Hierarchical Task Execution Framework for Automatic Disassembly of Electrical Vehicle Battery Pack

I lead and supervise a PhD project funded by the Faraday Institution, dedicated to developing control strategies for the disassembly of EV batteries. This project specifically zeroes in on using reinforcement learning to create a learning-based framework for robotic cutting of objects with unknown mechanical characteristics. Our method is adaptable to a range of EV battery models and has the potential to be applied in various domains, including manufacturing.

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Completed Projects

Overcoming legal obstacles to facilitate the safe and effective robotic disassembly of lithium-ion batteries

As a Co-Investigator in a UKRI-NERC funded project, I focus on overcoming legal challenges in robotic lithium-ion battery disassembly. Our work addresses environmental, safety, and compliance issues, essential for advancing sustainable battery recycling practices.

Community Impact and Knowledge Dissemination: Direct Line Insurance Group-Funded Research on EV Batteries

Direct Line Insurance Group has funded my research activities, enabling me to make a significant impact in the community. Through organizing internship programs and outreach events, I disseminate my research findings on EV batteries, fostering knowledge exchange and engagement.

Leading Faraday Institution-Funded Internship Programs in Robotic EV Battery Disassembly

I have led and supervised a series of internship programs, funded by the Faraday Institution, which are dedicated to developing robotic methods for the disassembly of EV batteries. These programs focus on nurturing the next generation of talent in robotics and sustainable technology.

Adaptable Tracheal Intubation Tool Project

As a Co-Investigator in a Sandpit flagship program with clinicians at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), I secured research funding for an adaptable tracheal intubation tool, currently in patent filing. I also collaborated with researchers at the University College London on this project.