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Nicholas WarrenView profile

Professor

• Polymer Science
• Flow Chemistry
• Online Monitoring
• +2 more

Professor Nicholas Warren is a Chair in Sustainable Materials at the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield. With a PhD from Sheffield and academic experience at Leeds University (2016-2024), his research integrates polymer chemistry with automation technologies. Education: University of Bristol (2005), University of Sheffield (PhD) Academic Positions: Postdoc at Sheffield (2005-2016), University Academic Fellow at Leeds (2016-2024), Associate Professor (2021-2024) Current Role: Chair in Sustainable Materials (2024-present) Research focuses on polymer science with flow chemistry , online monitoring , and artificial intelligence to advance sustainable materials. Key article trends include self-driving laboratories , multi-objective optimization , and nanostructured polymer systems . Scientific recognitions include: 2022 Macro Group UK Young Researchers Medal 2023 RSC Reaction Chemistry & Engineering Outstanding Early Career Paper Award Advisees span current and alumni PhD students like Dr Stephen Knox , Anna Morrell , and Dr Charlotte Pugsley . His team employs self-driving lab platforms that combine robotics, AI, and online analytics for accelerated materials discovery.

• Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Catalysis
• +5 more

Dr. Julien Doulcet is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science and Technology at Lancaster University, UK. Appointed in July 2021, he leads research in sustainable synthetic organic chemistry methodologies, with particular expertise in catalysis using Earth-abundant metals. His work bridges fundamental organic chemistry with practical applications in sustainable synthesis and materials science. Dr. Doulcet received his Masters degree in Chemistry from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Ingénieurs en Art Chimiques Et Technologiques (ENSIACET) in Toulouse, France (2009), followed by a PhD from the University of East Anglia (2014) on 'Synthesis and multiple kinetic resolution of tetrathia[7]helicenes.' His postdoctoral career included positions at the University of East Anglia, University of Huddersfield, and Lancaster University before his current lectureship. His research program focuses on developing innovative and sustainable synthetic methodologies, with three main thrusts: (1) Fe & photoredox dual-catalyzed reactions for C-C bond formation, (2) Ni catalysis for cross-coupling reactions, and (3) borane catalysts (Frustrated Lewis Pair catalysis) for hydrogenation reactions. This work addresses critical challenges in green chemistry by replacing precious metals with Earth-abundant alternatives while maintaining efficiency and selectivity. His recent publications demonstrate a clear evolution from his early work on helicene chemistry toward current research on sustainable catalytic methodologies for small molecule synthesis. Dr. Doulcet actively supervises 6 postgraduate research students and participates in the Organic Research Group at Lancaster University. He regularly engages in chemistry outreach activities including multiple Aspirin Masterclass events scheduled through 2025. As a peer reviewer for EPSRC grants and participant in academic conferences like the RSC Organic Chemistry Community North West Regional Meeting, he contributes significantly to the broader chemistry community. His research connects fundamental chemistry with practical industrial applications through collaborations with organizations like Infineum on 'post-polymerisation functionalisation of polyolefins' and participation in the GISMO (Greater Innovation for Smarter Materials Optimisation) program funded by ERDF, which focuses on valorisation of hydrogen waste streams. These industry-academic partnerships highlight the translational impact of his work in sustainable chemistry.

Muhammad Tahir AshrafView profile

Associate Professor

• Biomass valorisation
• Biorefinery
• Power-to-X
• +6 more

Muhammad Tahir Ashraf is an Associate Professor in the Department of Green Technology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the head of the Biomass Lab. He integrates classical chemical engineering with modern industrial biotechnology to advance sustainable biomass utilisation, biorefineries and Power-to-X systems. Research Interests Biomass valorisation and biorefinery development Power-to-X integration with biological and chemical conversion Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) Reactor design and computational fluid dynamics Techno-economic optimisation of bio-based processes His recent publications (2018–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on pilot- and lab-scale biomethanation using trickle-bed and biotrickling filter reactors, hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks, and techno-economic assessment of integrated biorefinery concepts. The work spans from fundamental microbiome studies to full-scale biogas plant validation, evidencing a clear trajectory toward industrial implementation. Scientific Awards SDU Innovation Prize (2022) TEK Innovation Prize (2022) Teaching & Supervision Course instructor: Transport Phenomena (2023–) Course instructor: Risk Management in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (2025–) Supervision topics: low-temperature thermal hydrolysis, PHB production from biomethane, wastewater sludge pyrolysis He currently supervises multiple MSc projects and has participated in five major research projects, including BioTechCCU and eFuel, collaborating with industry and international partners to scale CO₂-to-chemicals technologies.

• Theoretical Chemistry
• Quantum Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• +6 more

Yoshifumi Nishimura is an Assistant Professor at Waseda University’s Research Institute for Science and Engineering and concurrently serves in Tokyo University of Science’s Faculty of Science, Division of Applied Chemistry. He completed both his bachelor’s (2008) and doctoral degrees (2013) in chemistry at Nagoya University, followed by post-doctoral research at National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, and a project-researcher position at the Institute for Molecular Science. Education: Doctor of Science, Nagoya University, 2013 Bachelor of Science, Nagoya University, 2008 Research Interests: Nishimura develops linear-scaling quantum chemical methodologies, especially the divide-and-conquer density-functional tight-binding (DC-DFTB) approach, enabling million-atom simulations on supercomputers. His work spans proton-transfer dynamics in water, ice and proteins, CO₂ absorption chemistry, battery electrolytes, photochemical events in retinal proteins, and growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons. Awards: CSJ Presentation Award, Chemical Society of Japan, 2017 President’s Award, Nagoya University, 2008 Software & Leadership: He is the lead developer of the open-source DCDFTBMD package, which has been optimised for the K-computer and Fugaku, and he serves on the editorial committee of the 分子シミュレーション学会 journal “アンサンブル” and on organising committees of domestic theoretical-chemistry conferences.