Adam H. Clark

Abstract

ChemCatChemVolume 12, Issue 5 p. 1246-1247 InterviewFree Access Adam H. Clark First published: 20 February 2020 https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202000062AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Adam H. Clark See Adam's Highly Important Paper in our Young Researchers Series at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201901916 Date of birth: January 23, 1993 Position: Scientist at Paul Scherrer Institute E-mail: adam.clark@psi.ch Homepage: https://www.psi.ch/en/sls/superxas Education: BSc in Physics, University of Nottingham, UK (2014) MRes, University College London, UK (2015) EngD, University College London, UK, under the supervision of Prof. Gopinathan Sankar, “Combined Scattering and Spectroscopic Structure Determination of Nano-Catalysts” (2018) Postdoctoral position at Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, with Prof. Oliver Kröcher, Dr. Davide Ferri, and Dr. Maarten Nachtegaal (2018-2019) Current research: My current research area is in expanding the use of novel highly time resolved synchrotron based experimentation and analytical methods in heterogeneous catalysis. With a clear understanding of the structure-function relationships derived from the application of highly time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray scattering methods, I aim to develop new materials to achieve high selectivity and activity towards heterogeneous partial hydrogenation catalysis without the use of noble metal containing catalysts. Hobbies/Interests: Cycling, hiking, photography. Table 1. Adam H. Clark Date of birth: January 23, 1993 Position: Scientist at Paul Scherrer Institute E-mail: adam.clark@psi.ch Homepage: https://www.psi.ch/en/sls/superxas Education: BSc in Physics, University of Nottingham, UK (2014)MRes, University College London, UK (2015)EngD, University College London, UK, under the supervision of Prof. Gopinathan Sankar, “Combined Scattering and Spectroscopic Structure Determination of Nano-Catalysts” (2018)Postdoctoral position at Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, with Prof. Oliver Kröcher, Dr. Davide Ferri, and Dr. Maarten Nachtegaal (2018-2019) Current research: My current research area is in expanding the use of novel highly time resolved synchrotron based experimentation and analytical methods in heterogeneous catalysis. With a clear understanding of the structure-function relationships derived from the application of highly time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray scattering methods, I aim to develop new materials to achieve high selectivity and activity towards heterogeneous partial hydrogenation catalysis without the use of noble metal containing catalysts. Hobbies/Interests: Cycling, hiking, photography. Figure 1Open in figure viewerPowerPoint Adam H. Clark The most exciting thing about my research is the discovery of unexpected findings and clear applications to real world problems. I would like to have a year off to cycle around the world. In my free time, I like to explore the mountains either by foot or by bike and always with a camera at hand. I lose track of time when I am inside a synchrotron beamline conducting experiments. Is your current research mainly curiosity driven or rather applied? My research is driven by curiosity, and the search for something new and exciting. However, there is always an aspect of trying to solve a real problem. Seeing the route towards application of novel findings in materials chemistry provides an increased motivation. Heterogeneous catalysis research takes the fundamental structure-function relationships and applies it to produce better materials: increased efficiency, lower toxicity, decreased environmental impact are all motivating factors in achieving higher sustainability. What are the main challenges for the future in the broad area of your research? The main challenges for the future in heterogeneous catalysis are in developing ever more active, selective and cheaper catalysts. Finding replacements for the use of rare noble metals and toxic materials becomes increasingly relevant with respect to the environmental impact. The development of new experimental methods for the study of materials in real operating conditions is required to resolve the structure-function relationships in dynamically changing materials, in particular in transient conditions. Highly time-resolved experimentation inherently will result in the problem of how to manage the big data produced, which will require new analytical methods to be developed. What aspects of your research do you find most exciting? Experiments. The most exciting moments are those when the concept that was envisaged a long time ago can be realized. The design and execution of experiments to elucidate the often complex nature of heterogeneous catalysis. The challenges encountered in the long days (and nights) spent in synchrotron beamlines are alleviated by the discovery of new findings, the anticipated and the unexpected. I particularly enjoy a puzzle, so one of the reasons for pursuing an academic career is the excitement of having new puzzles to solve. My 3 top papers: 1“The Unusual Redox Behaviour of Ceria and its Interaction with Hydrogen”: Chem. Mater. 2019, 31, 7744–7751. Here we demonstrated that the redox chemistry of ceria is more complex than previously understood. The ability ceria to activate hydrogen through incorporation into the lattice was elucidated. Such hydrogen species are thought to be directly active in hydrogenation catalysis on metal oxide materials. Google Scholar 2“Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 on Cu-SSZ-13: Deciphering the Low and High-temperature Rate-limiting Steps by Transient XAS Experiments”: ChemCatChem 2020, 12, 1429–1435. Enhancing the understanding of Cu/Zeolite systems for NO reduction in auto-exhaust catalysis is vital in improving the air quality. Here we demonstrated that the application of transient conditions in highly time resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy and through employing advanced analytic analysis methods significant new insight into the changes in rate limiting behavior and reaction mechanism could be obtained. Google Scholar 3“Functional Role of Fe-Doping in Co-Based Perovskite Oxide Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction“: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 5231–5240. The role of Fe in the activity and stability of perovskite catalysts was established. This work also provided significant insight into the oxygen evolution reaction and how the formation of a Co oxyhydroxide surface layer becomes the actual active species during operation. Google Scholar Volume12, Issue5March 6, 2020Pages 1246-1247 This article also appears in:Young Researchers Series FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation