Dr Minfei Fei - University of Cambridge

I have published my research as (co) first/corresponding author in leading journals such as Nature Sustainability, Nature Reviews Clean Technology, Science Advances, Angewandte Chemie, Nano Letters, etc.

I have given multiple talks at leading universities and international conferences. I have won several best paper/poster awards at international conferences, such as ECS, ICNaB, IBA, etc.

Publications

† Equal contribution * Corresponding author

Summary: 8 as (co) first author, including 3 Nature/Science family journals

Q. Zhang†, T. Wei†, M. Fei†, X. Wang, N. Cao, H. Chi, H. Zheng, X. Zhao, N. Xu*, and J. Zhu*. Solar-driven efficient and selective ammonia recovery from ammonium-containing wastewater. Nature Sustainability 8, 1058–1067 (2025). [pdf]
M. Fei*. In situ electrochemical transmission electron microscopy for solid-electrolyte interphase characterization. Nature Reviews Clean Technology 2, 88 (2026). [pdf]
M. Fei†, L. Qi†, S. Han, Y. Li, H. Xi, Z. Lin, J. Wang, C. Ducati, M. Chhowalla, R.V. Kumar, Y. Jin*, and J. Zhu*. Preformation of insoluble solid-electrolyte interphase for highly reversible Na-ion batteries. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 63, e202409719 (2024). [pdf] [Paper of the Month, February 2025, Cambridge Materials]
D. Wu†, Y. Wu†, H. Huang†, M. Fei†, J. Wang*, Q. Qiu, H. Chen, W. Xu, X. Lin, T. Shen, Z. Lun*, Y. Jin*, and J. Zhu*. Discovering high-efficiency cathode presodiation additives for Na-ion batteries via high-throughput screening. Science Advances 12, eaed4045 (2026). [pdf]
M. Fei†, S. Han†, J. Wang*, H. Zhang, H. Wang, J. Liang, C. Ducati, M. Chhowalla, R.V. Kumar, J. Zhu*, and Y. Jin*. Anti-corrosion interfacial design for aqueous Zn metal batteries with enhanced calendar life. Nano Letters 26, 1462–1470 (2026). [pdf]
M. Fei*, M. Chhowalla, C. Ducati*, and R.V. Kumar*. Understanding lithium loss in a lithium metal anode with liquid electrolytes. MRS Energy & Sustainability 12, 223–232 (2025). [pdf] [MRES Highlights for Fall 2025]
M. Fei, K. Xi, M. Chhowalla, C. Ducati, G. Li, and R.V. Kumar*. Stabilizing lithium anode via separator engineering and in-situ electrolyte additive tuned SEI. ECS Meeting Abstracts MA2021-02, 1903 (2021). [pdf]
S. Han†, X. Wang†, M. Fei†, J. Hu, J. Wang, and Y. Jin*. Dual-function surfactant-modified electrolyte for enhanced calendar and cycle life of aqueous zinc batteries. Chinese Journal of Chemistry 44, 629−635 (2026). [pdf]
M. Fei. Molecular-level interphase design for sustainable batteries. PhD Thesis, University of Cambridge (2024). [No corrections]. [doi]
H. Huang, S. Xu, D. Wu, X. Dong, Z. Li, S. Zuo, M. Fei, T. Shen, J. Wang*, and Jia Zhu*. Thermodynamic control of facet chemistry for precise solid-state synthesis of Na layered cathodes. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2026). [pdf]
T. Shangguan, B. Yu, M. Fei, H. Li, X. Liu, Y. Zhang, M. Cao, X. Gao, and G. Li*. Harmonizing Li adsorption and surface migration via a tailored thermodynamics–kinetics balanced interface for long-cycling anode-less Li-metal batteries. Energy Storage Materials 90, 105362 (2026). [doi]
Y. Li, M. Fei, H. Wang, J. Hu, H. Zhang, S. Han, J. Xiao, X. Wang, X. Cheng, M. Chhowalla, J. Zhu, and Y. Jin*. Anion-derived passivation interphases for anti-corrosion Na metal and hard carbon hybrid anode of sodium batteries. ACS Energy Letters 11, 4154–4162 (2026). [pdf]
Y. Song†, M. Zeng†, X. Wang†, P. Shi, M. Fei, and J. Zhu*. Hierarchical engineering of sorption-based atmospheric water harvesters. Advanced Materials 36, 2209134 (2024). [pdf]
S. Cui, X. Wu, Y. Yang, M. Fei, S. Liu, G. Li*, and X. Gao. Heterostructures gel polymer electrolyte enabling long-cycle quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries. ACS Energy Letters 7, 42−52 (2022). [pdf]
T. Wei, X. Hu, M. Zeng, Q. Zhang, Y. Song, W. Zhao, J. Li, Z. Yang, M. Fei, N. Xu*, and J. Zhu*. High-current water-enabled electricity generation in mushrooms via synergistic ion sieving and adsorption. Nano Letters 24, 12036−12044 (2024). [pdf]
Z. Xiao, S. Wu, X. Ren, M. Fei, S. Hao*, X. Gao, and G. Li*. Superior high-rate Ni-rich lithium batteries based on fast ion-desolvation and stable solid-electrolyte interphase. Advanced Science 12, 2413419 (2024). [pdf]
W. Huang, Z. He*, Boya Cao, M. Fei, X. Li, S. Guan, Q. Dai, R. Wang, S. Zhu, X. Luo, T. Wu, S.M. Fairclough, C. Ducati*, and M.D. Volder*. Enhanced cycling stability in Zn-ion batteries using aqueous-organic electrolyte solvent blends. Advanced Science 12, e07332 (2025). [pdf]
X. Wu, S. Cui, M. Fei, S. Liu, X. Gao, and G. Li*. Inverse-opal structured TiO2 regulating electrodeposition behavior to enable stable lithium metal electrodes. Green Energy & Environment 8, 1664−1672 (2023). [pdf] [Highlighted by AAAS]
J.T. Ordás, and M. Fei. El mito de la escasez de recursos para fabricar coches eléctricos. The Conversation (ISSN 2201-5639, 2024). [In Spanish]. English title: The myth of the scarcity of resources to manufacture electric cars. [doi]
A.B. Puthirat*, S.N. Shirodkar, M. Fei, A. Baburaj, K. Kato, S.K. Saju, R. Prasannachandran, N. Chakingal, R. Vajtai, B.I. Yakobson, and P.M. Ajayan*. Complementary behaviour of EDL and HER activity in functionalized graphene nanoplatelets. Nanoscale 12, 1790 (2020). [pdf]
K. Sun, J. Li, F. Wang, W. He, M. Fei, Z. Lu, H. Zhang, J. Liu*, and Z. Zou. Highly enhanced durability of a graphitic carbon layer decorated PtNi3 alloy electrocatalyst toward the oxygen reduction reaction. Chemical Communications 55, 5693 (2019). [pdf]

Patents

Novel Na-ion battery anode materials, pretreatment technology and the as-prepared Na-ion batteries.

National Patent (CN), No: ZL 2024 1 0825259.3 (Granted)

Novel carbon-coated silicon particles, the manufacturing technology, as-prepared anode and Li-ion batteries.

National Patent (CN), Application Number: 2024104684988

A current collector with suppressed hydrogen evolution, its manufacturing technology, as-prepared anode and Zn batteries.

National Patent (CN), Application Number: 2023114862737

An electrolyte additive for micron-sized tin anodes of Na-ion batteries, and the as-prepared electrolytes.

National Patent (CN), Application Number: 2023110312865

Academic talks & posters

†Denotes equal contribution *Denotes corresponding author #Denotes mentee

Talks

M. Fei. Knowledge Exchange Symposium between University of Cambridge and Harbin Institute of Technology. Cambridge, UK. 16-17 July 2026. (Invited)
M. Fei. Beihang University. Beijing, China. 30 December 2024. (Invited)
M. Fei. Chongqing University. Chongqing, China. 18 December 2024. (Invited)
M. Fei. University of Southampton. Southampton, UK. October 2024. (Invited)
M. Fei. Xi’an Jiaotong University. Xi’an, China. 14 August 2022. (Invited)
M. Fei. International Conference on Recent Advances in Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and their Recycling Methods for Sustainable Development. 1-3 December 2021. (Best Student Oral Presentation & Cash Award)
M. Fei. NanoDTC NanoFutures 2021. 25-26 November 2021. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei. Varsity Sci 2021 Symposium. 30 September - 1 October 2021. Cambridge & Oxford, UK.
M. Fei. Postgraduate Seminars Day. 28 June 2021. Cambridge, UK.
A. Durbuis#, M. Fei*, and R. V. Kumar*. M.Phil. in Micro & Nanotechnology Enterprise, University of Cambridge. 17 June 2020. Cambridge, UK. (Distinction & Ranked 1st)
J. Campkin#, M. Fei*, and R. V. Kumar*. Part III NST Natural Science, University of Cambridge. November 2019. Cambridge, UK. (Distinction)

Posters

M. Fei. Climate and Nature Research Showcase. 26 June 2026. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei. The Armourers and Brasiers' Forum 2026. 16 June 2026. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei et al. 2025 International Conference on Green Materials and Manufacturing Technology (GMMT 2025). 23-25 June 2025. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei et al. The Armourers and Brasiers' Forum 2025. 23 June 2025. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei et al. Materials 2.0 Conference. 28-29 April 2025. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei et al. The Armourers and Brasiers' Forum 2024. 18 June 2024. Cambridge, UK. (Best Poster Prize, the only awardee & Cash Award)
M. Fei et al. The 8th International Conference on Sodium Batteries (ICNaB-2023). 21-24 September 2023. Liyang, China. (Travel Grant)
M. Fei et al. The Armourers and Brasiers' Forum 2023. 20 June 2023. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei et al. Departmental Poster, Cambridge Materials Science & Metallurgy. 29 October 2021. Cambridge, UK.
M. Fei et al. International Battery Materials Association Conference (IBA-2021). 24-29 October 2021. Xiamen, China. (Best Poster Award & Cash Award & Travel Grant)
M. Fei et al. 240th Electrochemical Society Meeting (ECS). 10-14 October 2021. Orlando FL, US. (Travel Grant & ECS Media Coverage)
J. Campkin#, M. Fei*, and R. V. Kumar*. Final Poster Presentation, Part III NST Natural Science, University of Cambridge. 18 April 2020. Cambridge, UK. (Distinction)

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