Katherine Sanders

Dr Kate Sanders

MSci MRes PhD

Kate is a postdoctoral researcher working in the Engineering Department. Her research interests concern the scalable processing of nano- and micro-structured functional materials, and the use of droplets for material synthesis and assembly. 

Katherine Sanders

Kate graduated from University College London with an MSci in Chemistry (2016) and received a MRes (2017) and PhD (2021) from the University of Cambridge as a student of Wolfson College. Her PhD was supervised by Professor Michael De Volder, and explored methods of creating structured microparticles from nanoparticles inside droplets. Kate currently works on a new manufacturing process for microparticle production, which emerged from her PhD research and was previously supported by a NanoDTC Translational Prize Fellowship (2021-2022). This process is able to produce functional materials with well-defined structures for a variety of applications, including in Li-ion batteries, where structure is key to electrochemical performance.

Controlling material structure at the micro- and nano-scale is important in many areas, from water purification to energy storage. However, few scalable processing methods exist which can achieve precise control over these small length scales. Kate’s work uses emulsion droplets as templates to regulate the assembly of nanomaterials into larger structures. Through a combination of techniques to improve emulsion stability and selective mass transport, she is able to use each droplet as a tiny container with tuneable size and regular, spherical shape. This method is fast, requires no energy intensive conditions, and is not material specific; microparticles can be produced from a range of useful nanoparticle building blocks including carbon nanotubes, silica, and metal oxide nanoparticles.

Kate is currently working on scale-up of functional microparticle production and is also investigating commercial opportunities for the resulting structured materials. This work is funded by a Horizon Europe Proof of Concept grant (UKRI), which aims to advance the commercial prospects of this technology, focusing on structured battery materials. Kate is based in the Nanomanufacturing group, in the Institute for Manufacturing.

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An abstract painting dominated by vibrant blue, featuring intricate white scribbles and textured drips of green, orange, and red, creating a layered and dynamic composition.

Art Exhibition: 'Feel the Rhythm'

22/03/2025 at 10.00

Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Feel the Rhythm' featuring work by emerging artist Fungai Benhura, winner of the Wolfson Royal Academy Schools Graduate Prize.

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Lent Term Concert: Myths and Legends

23/03/2025 at 18.00

As part of Wolfson’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, the College Choir and Alumni Choir, directed by Lyn Alcántara, present an evening of choral works inspired by the fantastical.

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Graduation Ceremony

29/03/2025 at 09.00

Graduation ceremonies are the culmination of students’ hard work and commitment, and a moment to celebrate the completion of their Cambridge degree.

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A partially burned book with curled, blackened pages sits on a dusty surface, surrounded by ash and debris.

Cambridge Festival - Delivering Education in Armed Conflict and Telling the Story

04/04/2025 at 17.00

Film screening of BBC Panorama Special: Saving Syria’s Children (55min) followed by panel discussion and Q&A.

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Mansion House

Mansion House 60th Anniversary Dinner

24/04/2025 at 18.30

In celebration of its 60th anniversary year, Wolfson College is proud to be holding a black tie dinner at London’s exclusive Mansion House, courtesy of the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, the son of Wolfson’s former Bursar, Jack King.

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