Alexis Ramirez

Alexis Mercadal Ramírez

Proud Mexican scientist, chemical engineer, researcher, and inventor.

Formerly an MSc student of the Mathematics for Real-World Systems CDT programme, at the University of Warwick.

I feel a deep passion for all of the branches of science and most of all for the ways in which they relate to one another.

Focused on the challenges of modern scientific research and technological development.

Intrigued by self-organised natural systems and by the emergent properties that they manifest; like consciousness, awareness, language, artistic expression, and life itself.

Education

The University of Warwick

2018-2019: MSc in Mathematics for Real-World Systems

National Autonomous University of Mexico / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

2011-2015: Bachellor's degree in Chemical Engineering / Licenciatura en Ingeniería Química

2016-2017: Undergraduate Degree dissertation - Experimental Research Thesis

2017-2018: Laboratory of Catalytic Processes, Department of Chemistry, UNAM

-Co-author and inventor of a production process and patent thereof:

Process of Production of Lignosulfonic Acids and Lignosulfonates

The developed process can transform lignocellulosic waste biomass from agricultural, agroalimentary, and wood industries (among others). With this economic and environmentally sustainable method, lignin and hemucellulose yield rates were shown to be close to 100%. The main products of this reaction treatment are high-purity native cellulose and an aqueous solution that contains the disolved organic compounds and lignosulfonic salts. This invention also considers the separation and purification of the lignosulfonic products; giving high-purity acid, neutral, or alkaline lignosulfonate salts (soluble or insoluble) as a result. The lignosulfonate sodium has been characterised and tested as a possible concrete additive (superplasticizer, water reducer) with promising results, and the obtained native cellulose has also shown high activity in further enzymatic hydrolysis experiments.

All rights reserved by the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Contact details:

E-mail: Alexis.Mercadal-Ramirez@warwick.ac.uk