University Assistant Professor in Energy Technologies
Academic Division: Energy, Fluids and Turbomachinery
Research group: Energy
Telephone: +44 1223 7 60360
Email: tmo32@eng.cam.ac.uk
Research interests
Research Website: https://onnlab.eng.cam.ac.uk/home
Engineering Interfaces: Stable and Active Material
Engineering interfaces at the nanometer scale allows for improved activity and stability, the two desirable goals in the chemical and energy sector and our research group. We aim to design materials using self-assembly and atom-by-atom engineering (both inspired from thin film technologies) to tailor properties (such as metal regeneration, ferroelectricity, etc.) and to enable direct influence of perturbations from electrons to active sites. The current goal is to engineer practical, stable, active, and electrotuneable materials for important industrial applications. Materials of interest include perovskite films and reducible mixed oxide films supporting metal nanoparticles, alloys, single atoms, and more.
Electrotuneable Material: Tailoring Properties
Direct electron modulation on catalytic sites allows for promotion in activity and selectivity with the possibility to utilize energy from greener sources. We aim to study the kinetic properties of different catalytic systems, to understand the effects of charge modulation, and to improve catalytic performance for important industrial applications. Other modes of perturbation will also be explored in the future. The current goal is to build a robust understanding of the effects of charge on different catalytic systems, to enable reaction engineering, and ultimately, to build a better catalytic system.
Fuels and Chemicals: Hydrogen and Emissions
Repurposing emissions to high value fuels or chemicals in a circular economy can be achieved with better catalytic systems. Our initial focus is on two major emissions, CO2 and CH4, with the target of co-capturing and converting the emissions to fuels, and our long-term goal is to utilize non-carbon feeds to generate fuel for a greener economy. The current goal is to build a functional catalytic system which exhibits improved stability, activity, and selectivity to transform low value feeds to high value products.
Department role and responsibilities