Gareth Hart wins 1851 Industrial Fellowship
Gareth Hart
JM sponsored Master's Student wins prestigious 1851 Industrial Fellowship
Warwick Master's Student and Research Scientist at Johnson MattheyLink opens in a new window (JM), Gareth Hart, has been awarded a prestigious Industrial Fellowship by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for his PhD project 'Designing a new catalyst to enable the hydrogen economyLink opens in a new window'
Gareth, a JM sponsored Master of Science (by Research) student in Walton Group,Link opens in a new window has been recognised for the potential of his work to make an outstanding contribution to industry.
Producing hydrogen is essential to reducing fossil fuel use and addressing climate change. Hydrogen is a carbon-free energy vector and industrial feedstock that will play a key role in achieving the transition to Net Zero. It is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules, using special materials known as electrocatalysts. However, current catalysts rely on iridium, a precious metal in limited supply. Through the design of new efficient catalysts with reduced iridium, Gareth's PhD project under the supervision of Prof Walton and in partnership with JM, could lead to more sustainable hydrogen generation.
Gareth said,
“I am incredibly grateful to the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for funding this project and seeing the potential for significant impact as a result of the research. The fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop professionally, strengthen external collaborations and create new intellectual property for JM. I am looking forward to continuing my research at Warwick in the Chemistry Department and I would like to thank Richard for his support during the process!”
Prof Richard Walton, University of Warwick, added,
"The award of this prestigious industry fellowship is a great honour for Gareth, and is the latest award to support a longstanding collaboration between Warwick Chemistry and Johnson Matthey. The work that Gareth will be doing as part of his PhD will contribute to the development of advanced materials for important contemporary applications in energy, and the immediate connection with industry will allow impact of the work to be realised. "
Dr Elizabeth Rowsell OBE CChem FRSC, Chief Technology Officer, JM, said:
"I'm absolutely delighted that Gareth has been awarded the Industrial Fellowship - it is a well-deserved recognition of his dedication, hard work and commitment to science and research. We're extremely proud that he is part of our JM community."
About the Royal Commission’s Industrial Fellowship Scheme
The Industrial Fellowship aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry promoting research with real-world impact. Fellows conduct research within a company in their chosen industry and are supported by a university to dive into the research questions at the heart of the problem they want to solve.
The Commission’s Industrial Fellowship funding of up to £125,000, covers salary contributions, university fees, and the costs of a fellow’s doctoral studies for up to three years of research. This investment has been found to yield £2 million a year in intellectual property, developing new technologies, and scientific findings that are crucial to advancing research fields and British Industrial players. Throughout the program, Fellows are provided with support from industrial and academic supervisors.