Research
Our laboratory studies the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels from abundant, and ideally waste, resources such as CO2, H2O, N2. Our approach is to develop a detailed understanding of the factors controlling photo- and electrochemical reactions through the use of advanced (non-linear and transient) spectroscopic studies. We then apply the design rules identified in the next generation of catalytic materials and work with partners from industry and academia to realise real-world impact.
Research groups
Research grants
The Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub (SCHEMA)
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (UK)
September 2024 - August 2031
Great British Chemicals
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
August 2025 - July 2032
C-Circ: Accelerating the translation of CO2 Electrolysers
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2025 - March 2027
Stabilizing the AEM-Catalyst Interface (STACI)
UK HUB FOR RESEARCH CHALLENGES IN HYDROGEN AND ALTERNATIVE LIQUID FUELS (UK-HYRES) - (UK)
January 2025 - February 2027
High throughput investigation of Ni-Fe alloys for Hydrogen evolution reaction
NUOVO PIGNONE S.R.L (ITALY)
August 2024 - April 2025
CapCon - conversion of captured carbon dioxide
IDRIC
August 2023 - February 2024
The Solar Chemicals Network
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2023 - June 2026
Zero-Chem: Zerogap bipolar membrane electrolyser for CO2 reduction to chemicals & fuels
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2022 - September 2024
Water dissociation interfaces for high current density bipolar membrane electrolysers
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2022 - May 2024
Materials for End-to-End Hydrogen Application
HENRY ROYCE INSTITUTE (UK)
December 2021 - March 2022
National Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy (NIC3E)
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
January 2021 - March 2025
Autonomous Mobile Robot Chemists
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2020 - March 2024
Quantitative Imaging of Multi-Scale Dynamic Phenomena at Electrochemical Interfaces
THE FARADAY INSTITUTION (UK)
July 2019 - March 2022
EPSRC Capital Award emphasising support for ECRS
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2018 - March 2020
Gel-based Photoelectrodes for Clean Fuels
LEVERHULME TRUST (UK)
October 2018 - June 2022
SEAFUEL
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
December 2017 - July 2023
CO2 reduction at high pressures
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2016 - March 2017
Flexible Routes to Liquid Fuels from CO2 by Advanced Catalysis and Engineering
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2016 - September 2021
Spectroscopy-driven design of an efficient photocatalyst for carbon dioxide reduction
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL, UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
January 2013 - September 2021
Vibrational spectroscopy of semiconductor photocatalysts: Developing design rules for efficient solar fuel production.
ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)
October 2012 - April 2013
Kerr-gated Raman for the Characterisation of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase layer on Battery Electrodes
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL
July 2017 - February 2018
Multicomponent Supramolecular Hydrogels - Dr Laura Mears
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2016 - February 2018
Small items of Research Equipment at the University of Liverpool
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2012 - March 2013
Leverhulme Research Centre for Functional Materials Design
LEVERHULME TRUST (UK)
October 2016 - September 2029