Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry Researchers

Development and application of high-resolution analytical methods (NMR, FTICRMS, GCMS, DNA sequencing) to enable molecular/microbial-level characterisation of organic matter found in peat soils and natural waters, or complex food/drinks such as whisky.

Applications of our methods include monitoring of peatland restoraion, peat pollution, drinking water quality, understanding peat carbon cycling to the examination of potential sustainable alternatives to peat for smoky whisky.

Dr Nicholle G. A. Bell | The University of Edinburgh

Development of novel catalytic processes using earth-abundant nickel to increase the sustainability and efficiency of organic synthesis.

Dr Benjamin N. Bhawal | The University of Edinburgh

Development of magnetic materials possessing an enhanced magnetocaloric effect for cryogenic refrigeration for the replacement of the critical raw material Helium with applications ranging from MRI scanners in hospitals to neutron sensing and nuclear threat detection.

Professor Euan K Brechin (FRSE) | The University of Edinburgh

Using molecular simulations to understand and design lubricant additives for engines, motors, generators, and turbines to reduce friction and wear, improve energy efficiency, increase device lifetime, and decrease emissions and waste

Using molecular simulations to assess the physical properties of thermal management fluids for use in electric vehicles, charging stations, and computer servers, and thereby improve the efficiency of green transportation and critical computing infrastructure

Professor Philip J Camp | The University of Edinburgh

We aim to develope biocatalysts (enzymes) as sustainable alternatives to traditional synthetic organic chemistry for the production of high value and commodity chemicals.

Natural biocatalysts can be engineered to use the target substrates and also combined together to form step-wise cascades that are able to build complex molecules from simple starting materials. This impacts across the field of industrial biotechnology, the pharma industry and the circular economy in general.

Professor Dominic Campopiano | The University of Edinburgh

Molecular modeling of natural materials to design sustainable solutions for pollution managment in soils and water, from pharmaceuticals to heavy metals, to geological storage of waste and carbon sequestration. 

We develop models truthfully representative to natural materials, such as clay minerals or biochars, and apply these developments to study interactions at the material interface. Our goal is to leverage molecular simulations to aid the developement of eco-friendly materials, and understand the origins of life and biosignature detection, advancing sustainability and planetary science.

Dr Valentina Erastova | The University of Edinburgh

Development of production methods for sustainable plastics, specifically:

Synthesis, characterisation and applications of sustainable polymers, with a focus on bioderived and biodegradable materials.

Development of novel catalysts based on earth-abundant and low-toxicity metals.

Exploiting heterometallic cooperativity to deliver enhanced catalyst performance.

Dr Jennifer A Garden | The University of Edinburgh

Solid state refrigeration - My research focuses on understanding the structural changes that occur when a solid has a caloric response, and how we can tune those responses through the structure. Solid state refrigerants have the ability to replace the greenhouse gases hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Carbon capture & storage (CCS) - As well as reducing greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, it is also possible to convert these gases into useful commodities. I'm interested in using flexible porous materials such as MOFs or zeolites to selectively adsorb gases and understand how we can use pressure or temperature swing to recycle the gases.

Dr Claire Hobday | The University of Edinburgh

Development of new functional materials for next-generation sustainable photovoltaics, to lower the carbon footprint of solar energy production while enhancing device efficiency, stability, and scalability.

Dr. Yue Hu | The University of Edinburgh

Reduction in organic solvent usage in Heritage Science through the adaptation of bioanalytical microextraction techniques for historic dye and pigment analysis in Cultural Heritage settings.

Development of label-free imaging techniques for the analysis of cells and tissues to reduce the current reliance on costly, toxic fluorophores in academic and pharmaceutical research.

Alison Hulme (FRSC, FRSE) | The University of Edinburgh

Providing solutions for greener chemical synthesis. Replacing fossil carbon via creating novel artificial metalloenzymes to bring industrial chemistry into the biocatalytic toolbox, and the valorisation of biomass via enzymatic cascades.

Dr Amanda Jarvis | The University of Edinburgh

Development of remediation materials and processes using novel mechanochemical approaches cement mineral hydration to clean up mining waste streams and mitigate environmental disasters.

Professor Caroline Kirk | The University of Edinburgh

Development of new catalytic tools using elements of the main-group in order to transform C₁ molecules (such as carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) into value added chemicals and materials thereby recycling pollutants, and upcycling waste.

Study of these catalytic tools using a suite of spectroscopic, and quantum chemical methods to understand their mechanism, refine their efficiency and drive towards real world usage.

Translation of fundamental main-group chemistry to pharmaceutical process chemistry to make pharmaceutical synthesis cheaper, and greener.

Dr Richard Yuze Kong | The University of Edinburgh

Development of more sustainable methodologies for organic synthesis. Approaches include developing photocatalytic, light-mediated and/or metal-free reactions to reduce energy consumption, reliance on non-sustainable transition metals and waste.

Professor Ai-Lan Lee | The University of Edinburgh

Kinetic and mechanistic analysis of synthetic processes to enable informed process optimisation and the design of new reagents and catalysts, leading to greater reaction efficiencies, lower energy costs, reduced waste streams and lower environmental impact.

Professor Guy Lloyd-Jones (FRS) | The University of Edinburgh

Study of metal separations chemistry for new and sustainable metal extraction and recycling processes that promote metal circularity and net-zero ambitions.

Catalysts and materials comprising earth-abundant f-elements for efficient chemical transformations and new material properties for the chemicals industry and green technologies.

Professor Jason Love | The University of Edinburgh

Development of electrocatalysts for CO₂ conversion and hydrogen production to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable energy solutions.

Dr Lingcong Meng | The University of Edinburgh

Computational modelling to guide recovery of critical metals from waste electronics.

Professor Carole A Morrison | The University of Edinburgh

Development of the fundamental chemical analysis, measurement and understanding which both underpins and drives the development of large scale sustainable net zero energy systems.

This leverages the facilities and expertise in our unique pyrochemical (molten salt) research laboratory and finds application in transformative fusion and civil nuclear energy systems.

Prof Andrew Mount | The University of Edinburgh

Development of new phase-change materials for low carbon heat storage technologies across domestic, industrial and automotive applications, to lower carbon emissions and reduce costs for households living in fuel poverty.

High-pressure studies of lubricants and fuel additives to inform the development of new formulations that reduce friction and carbon emissions and meet the needs of emerging clean engine and wind-turbine technologies.

Professor Colin R Pulham | The University of Edinburgh

Development of new materials for energy and environmental applications. This includes light-absorbing and conducting materials for dye-sensitised and perovskite solar cells for energy generation, as well as new electrode materials for emerging battery and supercapacitor technologies for energy storage.

Using (sun)light for water treatment is also studied through new photocatalysts, particularly aimed at rural, off-grid drinking water. 

Professor Neil Robertson | The University of Edinburgh

Development of new (chiral) catalyst systems for C–H, C–C, and C–X bond activations in small molecules, in view of (asymmetric) C–C bond formations – with the aim to streamline organic synthesis and to decrease waste.

Dr Uwe Schneider | The University of Edinburgh

Computational studies of catalysts’ reactivities to inform the design of new catalysts for reactions such as CO₂ utilization, to develop more sustainable processes and contribute to efforts to reach a net-zero economy

Dr Ephrath Solel Moroshko | The University of Edinburgh

Development and understanding of new catalytic methods for sustainable chemical synthesis using Earth-abundant, low toxicity, low carbon elements.

These developments underpin the transition to low energy, efficient, low emission chemical manufacturing.

Professor Stephen P. Thomas | The University of Edinburgh

Synthesis and characterisation of new organic molecules for use in green energy conversion technologies including organic solar cells, batteries and photocatalysis.

Dr Iain A. Wright | The University of Edinburgh