Associate Professor David Harbottle

Profile

David Harbottle is an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Leeds with over 15 years of research at the intersection of colloid science, interfacial engineering, and energy systems. His early career established deep expertise in petroleum-relevant interfacial phenomena, including asphaltene structure–function relationships, emulsion stability and demulsification, wax deposition, and multiphase flow in porous media, studied through a broad suite of experimental techniques spanning interfacial rheology, small-angle neutron scattering, high-resolution mass spectrometry, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, and atomic force microscopy. A central theme has been connecting molecular-scale interfacial behaviour to macroscopic process outcomes, whether in understanding how asphaltene subfractions govern the mechanical properties of oil–water films or how particle–surface interactions dictate displacement efficiency in confined geometries. This foundational understanding of fluid–fluid and fluid–solid interfaces now directly informs his growing research programme in geological carbon storage, where the same principles of wettability alteration, interfacial tension, capillary trapping, and geochemical reactivity in reservoir rock systems govern CO₂ confinement and long-term storage security. His group's work on nanoparticle- and surfactant-mediated displacement mechanisms and low-salinity flooding further bridges conventional subsurface engineering with emerging decarbonisation challenges, providing mechanistic insight into how interfacially active species can be exploited or managed in subsurface energy operations. He also has a substantial and sustained research programme in nuclear waste management, encompassing selective radionuclide removal through engineered adsorbents, electrochemical decontamination via capacitive deionisation, and solid–liquid separation of complex legacy waste streams using flotation and polymer-mediated flocculation strategies. This work addresses real challenges in the decommissioning of legacy facilities and the treatment of intermediate and low-level radioactive wastes. His expertise in colloid and surface science further extends to fine chemicals manufacturing, where he has worked with industrial partners on the crystallisation, physicochemical characterisation, and process-focused synthesis of surfactant-based products, applying the same rigorous interfacial and particle-level understanding to formulation and product design challenges. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and holds a strong track record of interdisciplinary collaboration across academic and industrial partners.

Current PhD Researchers

Responsibilities

• Deputy Director EPSRC CDT in Molecules to Products
• Director of Student Education
• School of Chemical and Process Engineering School Executive Committee

Research interests

Download an overview of my research

Qualifications

• 2017 - Associate Professor
• 2014-2017 - Lecturer
• PhD (2009) - Chemical Engineering
• MEng (2004) - Chemical Engineering

Professional memberships

• Institution of Chemical Engineers
• Royal Society of Chemistry
• International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists

Research groups and institutes

• Energy Leeds
• Nuclear Leeds
• Energy Leeds
• Nuclear Engineering
• Nuclear Leeds
• Colloid, Polymer and Crystallisation
• Nuclear Engineering
• Colloid, Polymer and Crystallisation

Current postgraduate researchers

• Stefanos Michaelides
• Dewi Ballard
• Olivia Pickup
• Callum Hutchinson
• Oguzhan Kivan
• Guohong Gao
• Michael Wahnon
• Mr Stephen Donegan MPhys MInstP AFHEA
• Jonathan Reid

Projects

<li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2406-engineering-surfactant-powders:-drying-dynamics,-structure-and-performance">Engineering Surfactant Powders: Drying Dynamics, Structure and Performance</a></li>

Funding

<li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/125-epsrc-faculty-doctoral-landscape-award-2026/27---engineering-&-physical-sciences">EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27 - Engineering & Physical Sciences</a></li>