My research focusses on mathematical modelling, process analysis and optimisation with a particular focus on clean energy processes, energy storage and energy systems. Key areas include:

• The development of agent-based models for energy systems and technology adoption.
• Techno-economic analysis of energy storage technologies.
• Scheduling and supply chain analysis.
• Uncertainty quantification and Gaussian processes.

I welcome applications from prospective PhD students. If you are interested in projects in any of the above research areas, please contact me for further information.

My research interests are centred on buoyant, reactive flow. This work can be can be broadly split into work in two general areas, namely process safety (incorporating combustion, explosion and the dispersion of reactive chemicals) and the energy-water nexus, focussing on the use of low-cost technologies for the production of potable or irrigation water in arid regions.

My work has focussed on understanding the interaction of fluid mechanics and chemistry on a fundamental level using a combination of numerical and analytical techniques, coupled to simple experiments. My broad areas of interest are summarised below.

Combustion

The heat released by combustion reactions can result in significant changes in the density, and thus can induce natural convection. This work has led to numerous publications in high ranking chemical engineering, combustion and interdisciplinary journals and involves a theoretical and numerical investigation of natural convection coupled with two combustion phenomena, namely cool flames, which are a feature of low temperature combustion, and thermal explosion.

Turbulent Plumes

I work on the development new integral models describing plumes in which a chemical reaction alters the density. Such plumes can arise in a variety of circumstances ranging from industrial accidents (e.g. the Gulf of Mexico oil spill) to volcanic eruption columns. The development of new models to describe such plumes is vital for designing effective responses to such events.

Energy-Water Nexus

I am interested in the investigation and deployment of low cost methods of solar energy capture and storage. In particular, I work on solar ponds, where salinity gradients can be used to trap solar energy and industrial waste heat for use in driving desalination processes.

My current research interest focus on development of stable nano-sctructured materials for improved high temperature electrochemical electrodes and catalysts. This involves materials development as well as techniques to investigate changes in structure and reactivity. Applications for this research are aimed at improvements to fuel cells and electrolysers, electrochemical sensors, gas separators and heterogeneous catalysis. Key areas of interest include:

• Electrode Design Development
• Infiltration
• Mixed Conducting Ceramics for Functional Devices
• 3D Microscopy using Advanced Tomographic Techniques
• High Temperature In-Situ Spectroscopic and Chemical Characterisation
• Electrochemical Sensors and Separators
• Carbon Measurement and Control at High Temperature
• Gas-Solid Interactions at High Temperature
• Mesoporous Materials for High Temperature Applications

• Polymer Based Solar Cells
• Experimental Techniques to Characterise Nano-Scale Phase Separation in Polymers
• Thin Film Toxic Gas Sensors
• Electrical Properties of Nano-Structured Systems

At Sheffield, I spearhead the Sustainable Design Laboratory (SDL). The laboratory uses the tools of design, systems engineering, multi-scale modelling, chemical process simulation and optimization to reimagine the chemical industry and power a sustainable future.

The SDL is interested in advancing methodologies, algorithms and tools for:

1. Integrated molecular and process synthesis (IMPS): The ability of the process to meet performance targets (energy use, minimize wastage) strongly depend on both molecular-level decisions (e.g., which catalyst, which solvent) as well as flowsheet-level decisions (e.g., how many distillation columns, what reactor temperature). In the SDL, we apply systems-level thinking to simultaneously design the best materials/molecules as well as the best flowsheets to enable manufacturing processes to meet performance goals (e.g., reduce energy usage or minimize OPEX). Our design techniques combine advances in modelling of materials and manufacturing processes as well as optimization algorithms.
2. Optimization Accelerated by domain Knowledge (OAK): Several large-scale optimization problems may be virtually intractable by off-the-shelf optimization solvers. We develop algorithms that are tailored to engineering applications that combine mathematical reasoning with domain knowledge to enable the solution of challenging optimization problems in energy and materials.

At the SDL, we are particularly excited by the following application areas of the IMPS and OAK methodologies:

1. Thermo-mechanical energy conversion devices such as heat pumps and organic Rankine cycles.
2. Separation systems that enable carbon capture utilization and storage, biomanufacturing and retrofitting of existing processes; and operation and expansion of the power grid to facilitate integration.

Please contact me if you would like to do a PhD in the Sustainable Design Laboratory.

• Nanoswimmers
• Understanding Spin-Coating
• Polymer Vesicle Formation
• Phase Separation in Polymer Blends

Research Interests:

• Sewer Process Modelling
• Hydrogen Sulphide Induced Corrosion
• Microbial Ecology in Urban Water Systems
• Synthetic Biology
• Odour Problems

Research Interests

Our exciting research combines experimental and modelling techniques, and innovates RNA vaccine & therapeutics platform production processes. The platform processes that we are developing will enable the rapid development and mass-manufacturing of RNA vaccines and therapeutics at high volumes, low cost and high quality against a wide range of diseases. To achieve this ambitious goal, we are developing and synergising a set of physical and digital technologies integrated into the Quality by Digital Design framework, and based on techno-economic considerations. The obtained computer models will link RNA product quality to the production process, and will enhance both the development and operation of RNA manufacturing processes.

The RNA vaccine platform technology has been successfully used to develop COVID-19 vaccines at record speeds. However, the RNA vaccine production volumes and rates can be further increased, while reducing costs and maintaining consistently high product quality. In addition, RNA vaccines can be produced based on a transformative platform technology, meaning that the same manufacturing infrastructure can be used to produce vaccines and therapeutics against a wide range of diseases. Therefore, it is anticipated that the demand for RNA vaccine production technologies will substantially increase and the physical processes and digital tools developed in our group are expected to be widely adopted. 

Key research areas include:

• Experimental development, scale-up, digitalisation and innovation of physical processes to produce RNA vaccines, RNA therapeutics and other biopharmaceuticals.
• Techno-economic modelling for reducing the costs, increasing production rates and production volumes of RNA vaccines, RNA therapeutics and other biopharmaceuticals.
• Quality by Digital Design for consistently ensuring product quality, support scale-up, technology transfer, and for accelerating the regulatory approval process.

Recruitment

I am eager to support talented individuals who are passionate about biomanufacturing, production process development, process analytical technologies, RNA vaccines and therapeutics, as well as process modelling, digitalisation, machine learning and Industry 4.0. 

Prospective PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and research fellows are encouraged to send me a brief expression of interest along with their CV. 

The most current information on research activities in the McGregor group can be found on our Sustainable Catalytic Engineering website.

Key areas of current focus include:

• The conversion of waste and a low-value co-products.
• Biomass conversion.
• Carbon dioxide utilisation.
• Energy materials.
• Petrochemical processing via heterogeneous catalysis.
• The role of carbon and coke deposition in catalysis.
• Novel catalyst characterisation tools.

I am also an active member of the UK Catalysis Hub.

Applied Polymer Physics:

• Organic electronics for alternative energy generation and storage.
• Polymer photocatalysts for wastewater remediation.
• Biopolymer-based food packaging.
• Nanostructured plastic films for drug and flavour delivery.
• Printable sensors for food quality.
• Supercritical processing of nanomaterials.
• Enhanced plastics recycling.

Green Nanomaterials Research Group

Research in the group undertakes the synthesis of bespoke nanomaterials using biologically inspired green routes.

In our new book, the aim is to address the highly sought aspect of how to translate the understanding of biominerals into new green manufacturing methods. We cover aspects from the discovery of new green synthesis methods all the way to considering their commercial manufacturing routes.

The group aims to demonstrate potential of green methods for nanomaterials synthesis by realisation of their real-life applications. Current projects are focussed on developing application of green nanomaterials in four distinct sectors:   

• Energy (e.g. carbon capture and battery electrodes).
• Environmental remediation (e.g. decontamination of water and air).
• Catalysts and biocatalysts (e.g. metal or enzyme supported catalysts).
• Biomedical applications (e.g. drug delivery systems).

A significant research focus is on developing the science underpinning scale-up of green nanomaterials, thus enabling their large-scale manufacturing.

Focus is on increasing technology readiness level (TRL) for new developments and delivering technologies that are ready for commercialisation.

New Technologies Invented:

• GNRG-01: Green Route for Silica Manufacture
• GNRG-02: Sustainable, Economical, and Scalable Processing of Mesoporous Silica
• GNRG-03: Bioinspired Green Method for Mesoporous Silica

My research strategy is centred on understanding the science behind industrial granulation processes allowing formulators to design processes, which deliver better products for consumers. This approach is based on linking the early stage of the granulation process with new equipment design through novel computational modelling and on-line monitoring systems.

I had collaborative projects with world-leading brands in the area of particle processing and equipment manufacturers such as Nestlé, AstraZeneca, GSK, BASF, Johnson Matthey, Procter & Gamble, Unilever,Alexanderwerk, ICL and Aramco.

Throughout my career journey in research, I have established a comprehensive understanding of the particle product development process which is used to create successful novels for both process and product optimisation.

My current research is mainly focused on Improving physical stability of food powders using novel approaches of powder restructuring which involve a large variety of powder processing technologies including inhomogeneous crystallisation, spray-drying, roller compaction, and freeze- drying; knowledge gained can be also applied to improve the stability performance of a wide range of catalyst and fertiliser products. Our projects with the pharmaceutical industry mainly aim at improving the quality of the oral dosage form products produced by continuous manufacturing technology and the research includes both experimental and modelling techniques.

My research with the oil industry is focusing on reducing the aggregation and deposition of calcium carbonate in different petroleum facilities and equipment. We are also looking into increasing the life of the catalyst by measuring the adhesion strength of different layers forming the catalyst.

Our research in the fertilizer industry is mainly aiming to increase the stability of fertilizer granules and hence have more control of the quality which could be used to increase the efficiency of the fertilizers.

• New Materials for Carbon Dioxide Capture
• Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Utilisation (CDU)
• Absorber and Reactor Intensification for CDU
• Process Design for Energy and Economically Efficient CDU
• Life Cycle Assessment in CDU
• CDU Policy and Public Engagement
• Snowsports Tribology

• Microkinetic Modelling of Complex Reaction Systems
• Heterogeneous Catalysis and Reaction Engineering
• Flow Chemistry and Multiphase Flow
• Process Intensification 

I'm constantly seeking for creative and self-motivated students with skills in chemistry, chemical engineering, process engineering and related disciplines. If you are interested in any of the above research areas please contact me by sending your CV and application letter.

My main research areas is in Process and Energy Systems Engineering for Energy and Environment. The sub areas are:

• Process Modelling, Simulation, Control and Optimisation
• Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
• Grid-scale Energy Storage
• Bio-fuel Production
• Power Plants
• Refinery Planning and Scheduling
• Process Control (e.g. Condition Monitoring and System Identification)

My current research interests include hydrogen energy systems, fast fire spread phenomena in buildings and underground structures, tunnel fires, dynamics of fires and explosions, combustion and heat transfer in industrial furnaces, hazard analysis and risk assessment of process industry and flow visualization.

Research Interests:

• Hydrogen energy systems.
• Fast fire spread phenomena in buildings and underground structures and tunnel fires.
• Dynamics of fires and explosions.
• Combustion and heat transfer in industrial furnaces.
• Hazard analysis and risk assessment of process industry.

• Energy efficient generation of microbubbles and their applications (particularly biofuels and bioreactors).
• Plasma microreactors, especially low power consumption generation of ozone.
• Fluid dynamics of helical turbulence and mixing.
• Thin film dynamics and microrheometry.
• Computational modelling with inverse methods.

Perlemax Ltd, a University spinout company, was founded to exploit his research and technological advances. Perlemax and Zimmerman have won the below awards and recognition:

• 2009 IChemE Moulton Medal
• 2010 Royal Society Innovation Award (Brian Mercer Fund) (Video)
• 2010 CleanTech Open, AXA UK Global Ideas Champion
• 2010 CleanTech Open, International Finalist, Global Ideas
• 2011 Zayed International Future Energy Prize, Semifinalist