Staff Profile

The 'Who am I?' @NCL

I am a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the School of Engineering at Newcastle University since December 2022. I study and design sustainable materials produced from renewable resources such as biomass, mineral wastes, and microorganisms and utilise them to improve food-energy-water security. I specialise in pyrolysis and biochar production and applications. My work is highly trans-disciplinary and I work closely with academics, industries and other stakeholders across engineering, environmental science, policy and social sciences.

Personal Website: https://anjalijayakumar.github.io/

Education: 

• Ph.D in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2019

Pioneered the use of biochar-based composites in the Ph.D. research group.

• Bachelor of Technology (Distinction) in Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Institute of Technology, India, 2013

Work experience:        

• Deputy Degree Programme Director, MSc Sustainable Chemical Engineering, Newcastle University, 2023-Present
• Lecturer in Chemical Engineering, Newcastle University, UK, 2022-Present
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, UK 2019-2022
• Process Engineer in an Ethane-Propane Gas Cracker Plant, Reliance Industries Ltd., Maharashtra, India, 2013-2014



Contact details:

Email: anjali.jayakumar@ncl.ac.uk 

Address: School of Engineering

C532, Merz Court

Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU 

Profile: Google Scholar, Linkedin 

My research in brief: I work towards finding sustainable solutions and have special interests in developing biochar and biochar-based composites for clean energy and the environment. My research transcends engineering, electrochemistry, material science, environmental science, and biotechnology. 

The 'Why' to my research: Biochar is a multi-functional, carbon-rich product of the thermochemical conversion of biomass and organic wastes under oxygen-deficient conditions. Biochar’s long-term carbon sequestration potential has gained it significant attention as one of a handful of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies and is recognised by the IPCC as a carbon-negative technology, while also being included in UN emissions inventory reporting. This means that the stable carbon in biochar has high recalcitrance – the ability to highly resist both biotic and abiotic degradation – making it possible for biochar to stay buried in soil for thousands of years as an efficient carbon sink. Biochar production is also effective as a sustainable waste valorisation technology, particularly in countries such as India, Indonesia, and China, where lots of agricultural residue and organic wastes are often burnt each year. This opportunity for waste-valorisation through thermochemical conversion of biomass to produce value added products such as biochar makes it even more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective, with added advantages from its carbon sequestration potential and multi-functional properties. The utilisation of biochar can thus clearly contribute to meeting many of the UN SDGs by 2030 and especially SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean energy).

The 'What' is my Research: While there has been substantial research on the energy and environmental applications of biochar, there is still a significant gap in optimising the thermochemical conversion process and biochar properties to suit different end applications. I currently investigate structure-property relations, complex biochar-microbial interactions, and the (bio)- electrochemical properties of biochar using recent advancements in electrochemistry, engineering, analytical chemistry, and environmental science. I also study thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis for sustainable and scalable biochar production, including low-cost pyrolysis techniques such as flame curtain pyrolysis. My research will directly inform and support the optimisation of affordable biochar-based materials for several end applications not limited to bioremediation of soil and water, electrochemical sensing, energy storage, and energy conversion, and Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (MET).

Research-led pedagogy and public engagement of research:

Committed to climate and social justice, I also actively engage in practice-based research and teaching projects alongside climate scientists, filmmakers, climate activists, NGOs, and educators. Some of the project details are given below.

Chasing Sustainability- Tales from South Asia- a collection of films and lesson plans on the multi-faceted impacts and narratives of climate change in South Asia

Led a trans-disciplinary group of life and social scientists, filmmakers, educators, illustrators, content makers, public engagement practitioners, and climate activists across the UK, India, and Pakistan to create a collection of documentary films and teaching resources (for high school and university students) reflecting the multi-faceted experiences of climate change in South Asia. Organised a film premiere at Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI), supported by Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes, November 2021 and organised/ participated in several panel discussions after for broader engagement.

 More details here  

Char Comics: Although research developed immensely during the last decade, the concept of biochar and it's several applications is still widely unknown to people inside and outside academia. We have created 'Char Comics', a comic strip series aiming to highlight the diverse opportunities and different application scenarios of biochar. Here's the link to our Char Comics, enjoy reading, and let us know what you think of our little Charrie by providing feedback via the google form (a QR code is provided at the end!) Share widely (this is open access!) 

More details here

My Research Profile: Google Scholar 

When teachers teach with love, combining care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust, we are often able to enter the classroom and go straight to the heart of the matter, which is knowing what to do on any given day to create the best climate for learning (B.hooks, 2003).

Teaching Philosophy: I passionately believe in the power of the classroom to inspire innovative solutions to resolve humanity’s gravest problems. I aspire to bring the world to my classroom in all its glory and chaos to instil critical hope and inspire my students to catalyse social change for an equitable and just society, especially in the context of combating climate emergency.

Currently teaching on M.Sc. Sustainable Chemical Engineering

• CME8012 Business and Environmental Management (Module Leader)
• CME8038 Sustainable Industry
• CME8128 MEng Research Project

PhD Supervision (Current)

• Co-supervisor to Nasser Ahmad, Newcastle University, School of Engineering, 'Composite aerogels for oil-water seperation', with Prof.Lidija Siller as Main Supervisor
• Co-supervisor to Prehas Prashant Madke, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Funded by Ministry of Education, India, A combined experimental and computational investigation of greenhouse gas adsorption on biochar, with Dr.Ojus Mohan as Main Supervisor
• Co-supervisor to Yi Zhang, University of Edinburgh, Biologically Enhanced Biochar for diclofenac removal from wastewater, with Prof.Ondrej Masek (Main Supervisor) and Dr.Andrew Free

MEng/MSc Supervision (Current)

• Henry Mann (MEng, Chemical Engineering)
• Jack Haslope (MEng, Chemical Engineering)
• Charlotte Epton (MEnv, School of Natural and Environmnetal Sciences)