Oliver Pugh, a Laidlaw Scholar at Durham University, on turning potato peels into powerful, sustainable supercapacitors for a greener future.
Research Title:
Development of Sustainable Supercapacitors from Food Waste
My research delves into the groundbreaking creation of electrochemical supercapacitors from an unexpected source—food waste, specifically Maris Piper potato peelings. In a world grappling with climate change and dwindling resources, this project tackles a critical issue: the urgent need for sustainable energy storage solutions. With the global demand for energy storage set to skyrocket by fifteen times by 2030, relying on finite resources like lithium is no longer viable. Enter electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), a game-changing alternative.
Unlike conventional batteries, EDLCs are built to last, enduring up to a million charge/discharge cycles—ten times more than lithium-ion batteries. They charge and discharge in the blink of an eye, making them perfect partners for renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which deliver power in bursts. Their rugged design means they can withstand harsh conditions, offering a reliable energy solution for even the most remote corners of the globe.
But the real magic of this research lies in its dual impact. The UK churns out a staggering 9.5 megatons of food waste each year, releasing over 25 megatons of greenhouse gases as this waste rots in landfills. By transforming potato peelings into activated carbon, we’re not just creating a high-performance material for supercapacitors—we’re turning trash into treasure. This activated carbon, with its intricate network of pores, supercharges the capacitors’ efficiency, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable energy storage.
Imagine a world where your potato peelings power your home. This research makes that vision a reality, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to two of the most pressing challenges of our time—energy storage and environmental degradation. It’s a bold step towards a future where waste becomes a resource, and innovation drives us towards a cleaner, greener world.
Where did your passion for this research originate?
Electricity runs the entire world: public transport networks, life-saving medical equipment, communications, food preparation and the lights in our homes just to name a few, and the demand for electricity grows mightier every year and increasingly more difficult to sustain with current technologies. Herein lies my passion, the future of energy production, transportation and storage. We cannot isolate any one part of our vast and intricate national grids, and it’s their very complexity that a harmonious balance can ever be struck between demand and production.
As renewables become increasingly more common, unbeknownst to most the demand for energy storage grows at an equally large rate and is vital in the picture of a clean energy future. This is because many renewables produce electricity intermittently and when it does produce electricity, there’s no guarantee that this will occur at peak demand times - hence this energy must be stored somewhere in the grid for later consumption or inevitably, that precious energy will be lost in the system: wasted away.
This is where the research I’m doing fits into this intricate equation, looking at novel and sustainable ways to store this energy as lithium for batteries becomes ever more sparse to address the monstrously increasing energy demands all the while tackling the equally as prescient issue of food waste, for a sustainable future for our planet.
A sample of activated carbon produced from potato peelings after enduring the activation process. .
What is the most memorable moment from your Laidlaw scholarship experience so far?
My most memorable Laidlaw journey experience that has had the most gravity in completely altering my interpersonal interactions was a transformative talk on conflict resolution led by the exceptional speaker Guy Richardson during our leadership development sessions. He emphasized the power of involving stakeholders in your plans to foster investment and collaboration. Through this, I learned that inviting contributions leads to stronger outcomes. Guy also highlighted the importance of making courageous decisions promptly—delaying only allows problems to grow. Active listening, with undivided attention and eye contact, became a key takeaway for understanding and resolving conflicts. Addressing issues with a focus on evidence, desired outcomes, and clear compromises helped me separate facts from emotions. Finally, I embraced the empowerment loop: identifying influencers, building trust, and delegating responsibility to create a sense of ownership. It truly has redefined how I perceive conflict in all areas of life.
First day at the Boston Design Academy. .
What is the biggest challenge you came across in your research and leadership journeys so far, and what did you learn from it?
The most challenging experience I’ve faced so far was during the LiA project, particularly in the final week as presentation day loomed. Our interns, who had worked tirelessly to build the skills needed to use Arduinos and create parameterized 3D models, now had to finalize designs that were not only innovative but also feasible within our tight timeline. This demanded a great deal of improvisation, emergency team meetings, and constant communication with the exec team to assure them that our students would deliver on time. Throughout this intense period, we had to stay creative, composed, and supportive, especially as our students prepared to present their work to a room full of TSN’s corporate partners. By taking things one step at a time and harnessing our team’s synergy, our students successfully showcased their prototypes, bringing our journey to a triumphant close.
How have you applied your leadership skills in real life? What are some insights & lessons from your experience?
The leadership skills Laidlaw has equipped me with have been essential in various roles, most notably as Men’s Captain of the Durham Cycling Club and as Events Manager for the Durham Energy Society. As Men’s Captain, I was responsible for all training within the club, crafting and overseeing a training plan tailored to our race calendar. This role required me to be a nurturing leader, fostering a supportive environment, while also enforcing discipline to ensure adherence to the rigorous program. I also co-led the startup of the “Performance Squad,” coaching athletes to prepare for BUCS and British Cycling events. Organising a large-scale “Varsity Style” criterium race honed my communication skills, as I coordinated with local councils, venue staff, medical teams, and participants to ensure the event's success. Additionally, securing sponsorship from YorMed for our events demonstrated how Laidlaw has improved my ability to build valuable partnerships. This has really taught me above all else that effective communication and interpersonal relationships determine more than anything else your success as a leader: without effective communication, there can be no team and no progress as it is the communication that connects all the cogs in the greater machine.
With my recent appointment as Events Manager for the Durham Energy Society, I am spearheading alumni engagement initiatives, trying to connect students with industry leaders. Organisation of in-house events that enhance student engagement and innovate educational strategies to provide a holistic view of the energy sector are underway and liaising with the Durham Energy Institute ensures that our activities align with the latest research and industry trends. This more recent experience has taught me that building strong networks to achieve collective goals is vitally important and it is crucial to never underestimate the power of one connection. Even if it is not at first apparent, treat everyone you meet with respect and show enthusiasm for the wisdom they can share with you. An ethical leader above all is at first a listener.
What are your top leadership tips?
Be value-driven: your values should underpin your mission
A great leader knits a team together and brings out the spark in each of its members - authority is not the same as leadership.
Respect as a leader must be earned, it cannot be assumed based on your title.
Set the vision and inspire those in the team towards it - set what good looks like and the path to get there.
Take accountability: live by the decisions you make
What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?
As a Laidlaw Scholar, we have embarked on an odyssey of ethical leadership development and have been discovering our place as a global citizen, not only that, being a Laidlaw scholar is about also being fiercely curious, breaking free from conventional academic boundaries of a taught course or curriculum, and tackling issues that you have a personal deep connection to. As a Laidlaw Scholar, you’re not just on a journey—you’re on a mission to lead, innovate, and create transformative solutions that resonate across the globe. It’s about making a dynamic impact and embracing every challenge with excitement and purpose.
Final presentation day at the Boston Design Academy joined by Susanna Kempe.
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Which particular leaders inspire you the most and why?
An inspiring leader to me, particularly considering her contribution to the sustainable energy sector, is Dr. Christiana Figueres. As the former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), she spearheaded the Paris Agreement, a landmark in sustainable development. Figueres is celebrated not only for her groundbreaking work in climate action but also for her inclusive leadership style. She values and empowers her team, fostering collaboration and innovation to tackle global challenges. Her commitment to sustainable development and her ability to inspire and mobilise others make her a beacon of transformative leadership in the quest for a greener future.
Briefly describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.
I envision a future where sustainable energy is universally accessible, transforming every community with clean, renewable power. Imagine a world where climate care and biodiversity preservation are core values, and scientific advancements propel humanity toward a thriving, equitable future. Fossil fuels are relics of the past, replaced by green technologies that ensure a healthier planet. Cities are lush with greenery, and education empowers everyone to understand and maintain our delicate environmental balance. This future is a testament to our commitment to stewardship, where every action nurtures the planet and its people, fostering a harmonious, sustainable world for generations to come.
I’m currently continuing with the research I started with Laidlaw after it yielded promising results, on the topic of creating supercapacitors from food waste. It has now expanded to become a comparative study between different biomass sources with the end goal of having publishable work to contribute to the field of sustainable electrochemical energy storage technologies!
If you want to learn more about Oliver's work, explore Oliver's research here and follow him on LinkedIn. Oliveris a Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholar at@Durham University. Become a Laidlaw Scholar to conduct a research project of your choice, develop your leadership skills, and join a global community of changemakers from world-leading universities.
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