Dr Alexander (Sandy) D. James

Profile

I recieved my PhD in Atmospheric Chemistry in 2017. Since then I have gradually moved towards engineering and industry facing technological solutions development. I have work collaboratively and across disciplines with the Schools of Chemistry, Chemical and Process Engineering and Earth and Environment. I also have several active knowledge transfer projects with industrial partners. I am an associate fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Responsibilities

• Research Leadership
• Teaching
• Citizenship

Research interests

I am a heterogeneous kineticist. I use a variety of laboratory techniques to probe the rates of processes which involve materials of two different phases.
I have developed and benchmarked a catalyst for engine exhaust processing, this material reduces NO_x catalytically at lower temperatures than industry standard materials, and is undergoing industrial trials. I am now moving towards catalytic solutions for destruction of nitrous oxide, a key greenhouse gas and challenge for reducing climate emissions.
I have applied these techniques to investigating the impact which meteoric material has as it sediments through the atmospheres of Earth, Venus and Titan. This has included extensive work on the nucleation of nitric acid hydrates in polar stratospheric clouds, reactive uptake of gasses and investigating the chemical and radiative properties of meteoric material. In this area I am now investigating potential impacts of both the expanding space industry and stratospheric aerosol injection (a form of solar radiation management) on the ozone layer both directly and via polar stratospheric cloud chemistry and micro-physics.

Qualifications

• PhD atmospheric chemistry, University of Leeds
• Master of environmental and sustainable chemistry, University of Edinburgh

Professional memberships

• AFHEA

Student education

As a lecturer I support undergraduate education in all formats. In 2016/17 I acted as physical chemistry teaching fellow. This involved tutoring groups, demonstrating in physical laboratories for level 1 and 2 students and giving a foundation level lecture set. I also supervise BSc, MCHEM and PhD research projects.