A5025853482- Radioactive element chemistry and processing
- Chromium effects and bioremediation
- Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
- Microwave Dielectric Ceramics Synthesis
- Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials
- Metal Extraction and Bioleaching
- Acoustic Wave Resonator Technologies
- Mine drainage and remediation techniques
- Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties
- Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films
- Glass properties and applications
- Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
- Advanced Semiconductor Detectors and Materials
- Dielectric properties of ceramics
- Iron oxide chemistry and applications
- Intermetallics and Advanced Alloy Properties
- Optical properties and cooling technologies in crystalline materials
- Mineral Processing and Grinding
- Nanoporous metals and alloys
- Extraction and Separation Processes
- Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
- Aluminum Alloys Composites Properties
- Minerals Flotation and Separation Techniques
- Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
University of Liverpool
2020-2024
University of Manchester
2018-2020
Trinity College Dublin
2014
University of Sheffield
1998-2010
Abstract Copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NPs) have a wide range of applications as heterogeneous catalysts. In this study, novel green biosynthesis route for producing Cu‐NPs using the metal‐reducing bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis is demonstrated. Thin section transmission electron microscopy shows that are predominantly intracellular and present in typical size 20–40 nm. Serial block‐face scanning demonstrates well‐dispersed across 3D structure cells. X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy...
The explosivity of a volcanic eruption is controlled by several interdependent processes during magma ascent, such as crystallisation, gas exsolution and outgassing. Syn-eruptive crystallisation can increase the potential fragmentation. Whilst degree coupling between melt phases ascent influence eruptive style. Quantitative textural analysis vesicles crystals in erupted products provide insight into syn-eruptive conduit conditions leading to Synchrotron-based imaging techniques X-ray...
Dumortierite, an aluminous borosilicate mineral, is relatively rare in Earth’s crust, but it the second most abundant after tourmaline.  Boron element with many uses modern societies worldwide, from health products to wind turbine blades for clean energy, of limited availability and at future risk supply. Only a number studies have been published on dumortierite mineralization processes factors that control its abundance distribution remain poorly understood. Here we...
The microbial synthesis of biominerals offers a potentially sustainable green solution for the production wide range industrially relevant functional nanomaterials. Metal-reducing bacteria are particular relevance, as they can enzymatically reduce spectrum high oxidation state metals and metalloids, forming cell-templated nanomagnets, catalysts, remediation agents quantum dots. Although these bioprocesses have been shown to be both scalable tunable (with respect particle size, reactivity,...
x CaTiO 3 −(1−x) Sr ( Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) O (CTSMN) and yCaTiO3−(1−y)NdAlO3 (CTNA) microwave ceramics have been studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy. TEM XRD revealed that all compositions underwent octahedral tilt transitions on cooling, generally resulting in an a−a−c+ system. The exception was the NdAlO3 end member, which had R3̄c space group, consistent with a−a−a− configuration. Sr(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (SMN), (x=0) also exhibited...
We have investigated the far-IR, submillimetre and microwave (MW) dielectric response of CaTiO3 (CT)–Sr(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (SMN), CT–Sr(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 (SZN), CT–NdAlO3 (NA) CT–LaGaO3 (LG) solid solutions ceramics series. The contribution extrinsic losses has been analysed by extrapolation far-IR terahertz data down to MW range comparison with directly measured data. This procedure also justified comparing in CT LG their crystalline forms published literature.
Organic complexants are present in some radioactive wastes and can challenge waste disposal as they may enhance subsurface mobility of radionuclides contaminant species via chelation. The principal sources organic complexing agents low level (LLW) originate from chemical decontamination activities. Polycarboxylic decontaminants such citric oxalic acid interest currently there is a paucity data on their biodegradation at high pH under conditions. This work explores the biogeochemical fate...
Biomineralization of Cu has been shown to control contaminant dynamics and transport in soils. However, very little is known about the role that subsurface microorganisms may play biogeochemical cycling Cu. In this study, we investigate bioreduction Cu(II) by metal-reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens Rapid removal from solution was observed cell suspensions G. when supplied, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed formation electron-dense nanoparticles associated...
Recent improvements to the CdTe solar cell device structure have focused on replacing CdS window layer with a more transparent material reduce parasitic absorption and increase Jsc, as well incorporating selenium into absorber achieve graded band gap. However, altering is nontrivial due interdependent nature of processing steps. The choice influences grain layer, which in turn can affect chloride treatment, itself may contribute intermixing between layers. This work studies three different...
Intermediate level radioactive waste (ILW) generally contains a heterogeneous range of organic and inorganic materials, which some are encapsulated in cement. Of particular concern cellulosic items, will chemically degrade under the conditions predicted during disposal, forming significant quantities isosaccharinic acid (ISA), strongly chelating ligand. ISA therefore has potential to increase mobility wide radionuclides via complex formation, including Ni-63 Ni-59. Although is known be...
Biodegradation of citrate occurred under LLW repository relevant conditions with Ni and U present. Citrate biodegradation led to the formation insoluble sulfides or nanocrystalline U( iv )–phosphate may promote Ni/U retention in repositories.
A non-axenic culture of Pseudanabaena catenata, a close relative the bloom-forming cyanobacterium found in high pH First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP) at Sellafield Nuclear Facility, was supplemented with 1 mM SrCl2, to determine its effect on fate Sr. The addition Sr P. catenata resulted ~16 % reduction overall growth (OD600nm) and 21 concentration chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) compared those without assessed using multi-technique approach. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission...
Gold-Copper core shell nanowires have been electrodeposited and their electrochemical Raman properties probed. First, hollow copper nanotubes, 3.2 ± 0.1 μm long, with a uniform diameter of 70 22 nm, were within the pores track etched polycarbonate membrane filter. Second, gold was then these cylinders to yield gold-copper core-shell nanowires. Nanowires, functionalised probe strand DNA, that is complementary pathogen Staph. Aureus, only on ends, can be immobilised onto an electrode surface...
Gallium–sodium–sulfide glasses have been shown to be the most promising host for 1.3 μm fiber optic amplifier so far. However, current study has revealed that formation of stable in this system relies on existence a certain amount oxide composition. A glass‐forming region was identified when 3 mol% Ga 2 O introduced into melts. Both bulk crystallization and surface can take place system. The thermal behavior obtained studied by DTA characteristic infrared UV/visible transmission spectra are...
Abstract Microorganisms can facilitate the reduction of Cu 2+ , altering its speciation and mobility in environmental systems producing Cu‐based nanoparticles with useful catalytic properties. However, only a few model organisms have been studied relation to bioreduction little work has carried out on microbes from Cu‐contaminated environments. This study aimed enrich for Cu‐resistant soil explore their potential biomineralisation solution. We show that an enrichment grown Cu‐amended medium,...
Abstract Dumortierite, an aluminous borosilicate mineral, is relatively rare in Earth’s crust, but it the second most abundant after tourmaline. Boron element with many uses modern societies worldwide, from health products to wind turbine blades for clean energy, of limited availability and at future risk supply. Only a number studies have been published on dumortierite mineralization processes factors that control its abundance distribution remain poorly understood. Here we present first...
Cobalt is an essential element for life and plays a crucial role in supporting the drive to clean energy, due its importance rechargeable batteries. Co often associated with Fe environment, but fate of Fe-rich biogeochemically-active environments poorly understood. To address this, synchrotron-based scanning X-ray microscopy (SXM) was used investigate behaviour cobalt at nanoscale Co-Fe(III)-oxyhydroxides undergoing microbial reduction. SXM can assess spatial changes metal speciation organic...
This work studies three different device architectures in parallel, allowing for an in-depth comparison of processing conditions CdTe solar cells grown on CdS, SnO2 and CdSe coated substrates. Direct replacement the CdS window layer with a wider band gap is hindered by poor growth absorber, producing highly strained films weak junction. alleviated inserting between CdTe, which improves results graded CdSexTel-x absorber layer. For each substrate, deposition rate post chloride treatment...
Earthquakes are triggered by the sudden release of strain energy accumulated in Earth’s crust and mantle. Around 55 earthquakes located every day around world, 16 large magnitude greater than 7 expected any given year. These events responsible for many deaths major natural disasters. The periodicity rupture is controlled complex variables such as fault surface roughness, geometry, fluid-rock interactions, fluid pressure oscillations mechanics rock. Seismology, rock experiments...