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.
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. Extensive experience designing carbon-based functional materials such as biochar, graphene hydrogels, transitional metal oxides (MnOx), metal-organic framework-derived oxide composites (NixCo3-xO4-graphene hydrogel composites) for use in supercapacitors, electrocatalysts, and heterogeneous catalysts
Bachelor of Technology (Distinction) in Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Institute of Technology, India, 2013
Work experience:
Postdoctoral Research Associate, UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, UK 2019-2022
I led the production and characterisation of biochar-based materials for sustainable water treatment in collaboration with microbiologists, biochar, and environmental scientists within and outside the UK (UK-Europe, Sri Lanka). We successfully demonstrated (forthcoming papers) the safe use of Biologically Enhanced Biochar (BEB) engineered from coconut shell biochar for removal of cyanotoxins in freshwater, utilising the remarkable advancements in the fields of analytical chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology.
I further used findings from the recent lab and field-scale experiments I led with colleagues at Edinburgh Fire Research Institute and University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka to create experimental protocols and videos (forthcoming papers) for safe operations of low-cost pyrolysis units such as flame curtain pyrolysis kilns. I also led the development of functionalized biochar electrodes for investigating (bio)-electrochemical interactions of biochar, electrochemical energy storage and energy conversion devices.
Process Engineer in an Ethane-Propane Gas Cracker Plant, Reliance Industries Ltd., Maharashtra, India, 2013-2014
Co-led a study to analyze the cooling water distribution in heat exchangers in an ethane-propane gas cracker plant. The study led to installing a 24” jump over, done without shutdown
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
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).
My Research Profile: Google Scholar