AUT Research Secures Spot in Inaugural Applied Doctorate Scheme
AUT has secured a place in the first Call for Projects under the Applied Doctorate Scheme (ADS), with a research project led in partnership with AUT spinout company Dot Ingredients and Australian energy innovator, Allego Energy.
Out of around 70 applications, only 17 were selected, making this the sole successful AUT proposal thanks to Associate Professor Jack Chen, whose collaboration with industry partners was pivotal in winning this funding.
Titled Sustainable Particle Surfactants for Next-Generation Microemulsion Flow Batteries, the project aims to create advanced particle surfactants to boost the performance and economics of Allegro’s grid-scale batteries. By improving stability and efficiency in systems that currently rely on large volumes of surfactants, the research could deliver more resilient, cost-effective energy storage, supporting cleaner electricity at scale.
The ADS Secretariat praised the proposal’s strong alignment with the scheme’s objectives and thematic priorities.
Head of School of Science, Paul Sowman explains, “Being selected for the inaugural Applied Doctorates Scheme is an excellent validation of the science we’re building with AUT and Allegro Energy. Particle surfactants are a fresh pathway to improving grid-scale battery performance and economics, and this programme gives us the momentum to turn that promise into real-world impact. We’re proud of Jack’s leadership and excited to support a doctoral candidate embedded with us and our partners in Australia, accelerating innovation that can help deliver cleaner, more reliable energy at scale.”
This accomplishment highlights AUT’s industry-connected research and the grant-attracting power of industry collaboration, leveraging Dot Ingredients’ partnerships across energy and materials to accelerate real-world applications.
The project is now in the student recruitment phase, with prospective PhD candidates required to apply though the ADS website. Candidates receive a three-year stipend with fees paid plus professional development opportunities as part of the ADS programme. They’re expected to start in around April 2026 and work mostly at AUT, but also partly with Dot Ingredients and partly with Allegro Energy in Australia.
Click here to learn more about Dot Ingredients and AUT Ventures.