Drochaid Newsletter July 2023

As part of the University of St Andrews graduation week, the School of Chemistry hosted a Graduation Reception on Wednesday 14th June in the foyer of the Purdie Building.

Our Managing Director Dr Cathy Dwyer was delighted to present?the Drochaid prize for Best Honours Research Project in Inorganic Chemistry, which for 2023 was awarded jointly to Chloe Cannon and Eilidh Quinn.

?Drochaid wishes Chloe and Eilidh much success for the future.

On Wednesday 14th June 2023 I graduated with a PhD from the University of St Andrews. I had a fantastic day with my family, fellow graduates, and academic staff.

The entire graduation week was blessed with perfect weather and the atmosphere around town was one of celebration.

The ceremony encompassed interesting addresses on the importance of STEM subjects from the Principal, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, and honorary graduate, Professor Simon Tavaré.

I particularly enjoyed the post-ceremony procession around St Salvator’s Quadrangle led by the University bagpiper.

I relished my time as a PhD student working under the supervision of Dr Renald Schaub and Dr Paul Webb.

A high point of my studies was a project in collaboration with Drochaid, which gave me an indication of the nature of work I wished to pursue post education.

Now my official time in education has finished, I am looking forward to furthering my career within Drochaid and to continuing to learn about new and interesting fields of chemistry.

Drochaid’s?Dr David?Smith?attended IBioIC’s summer networking event for members in Glasgow last week, where he had the opportunity to meet and catch up with academics and industry partners from around Scotland.?

Dr David Smith said:

IBioIC is a key organisation with the remit to?stimulate growth of the Industrial Biotechnology in Scotland.

Dr Ian Fotheringham, managing director of Ingenza, gave the keynote presentation detailing Ingenza’s journey as a pioneer in engineering biology.

Drochaid and Ingenza have an excellent history of collaboration, including a?project aiming to reduce the waste carbon dioxide generated by industrial biotech manufacturing applications:?

Our MD Cathy Dwyer attended a ScotCHEM event at the Eden Campus of the University of St Andrews, focusing on challenges and opportunities for Scotland’s Hydrogen Economy.

Speakers Stuart McKay of Scottish Government, Colin Thomson of SGN and Prof Jan Webb of the University of Edinburgh presented views on government policy, gas network considerations, and the social aspects of a just transition

Dr Paul Webb and Prof John Irvine of the University of St Andrews presented views on the supporting research innovations needed to unlock the potential of Green Hydrogen.

This was followed by a round table discussion where the participants from industry, academia and other key organisations discussed and debated the implications for the Scottish Hydrogen landscape?

?POWDER X-RAY DIFFRACTION AT DROCHAID RESEARCH SERVICES

Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) is well known as being a powerful technique for characterising the bulk properties of solids.?

At Drochaid Research Services our main area of expertise lies in heterogeneous catalysts, but we are by no means limited to such materials.?Any air stable powder can be analysed in reflection mode using a spinner stage on our PANalytical X’Pert Pro Multi Purpose Diffractometer.?In addition, we have in situ XRD capabilities.?Here samples are studied at elevated temperatures and/or under flowing gases.?

This provides information on bulk phase transformations as a function of the applied conditions.?Examples include following catalyst changes during an activation processes or under realistic reaction conditions.?Importantly, in our system all of the gas flows downwards through the catalyst bed.?The Anton Paar XRK900 chamber is rated for operation at temperatures up to 900?C.

?Gases are delivered via a custom made manifold.?The diffractometer is fitted with a cobalt X-ray tube and a Pixcel detector.??

Drochaid Research Services

School of Chemistry

University of St Andrews

Purdie Building

North Haugh

St Andrews

KY16 8AB

Phone: 01334 460930

Email: [email protected]

?

We are always pleased to hear from our customers, business?enquiries, students and new friends.

?