Dr Richard Dawson
Honorary ResearcherProfile
Richard began his academic life at Girton College Cambridge where he studied Engineering specialising in Mechanical Engineering. After a brief spell as an engineering consultant he continued his academic studies at Imperial College Chemical Engineering Department. Here he investigated the electrochemical recovery of platinum and palladium from spent catalyst as part of a CASE award project sponsored by Johnson Matthey. Following his PhD he spent around 6 years working for fuel cell start- ups in the south east of the UK before moving up to Lancaster to help begin the Chemical Engineering degree and continue academic research into electrochemical energy conversion devices and aligned processes. In 2017 with a group of previous colleagues he helped found LiNa Energy, the Lancaster University sodium metal chloride battery company where he has been full-time since 2021 as CSO. He continues to collaborates extensively with the school of Engineering and Department of Chemistry
Research Overview
Richard's research interests are focused around electrochemical engineering in the field of energy conversion technologies and resource efficiency.
More specifically he has interests in:
- Batteries
- Fuel cells
- Electrochemical based recovery and separation processes
- Electrochemical reactor design and operation
Career Details
Having a background in both Mechanical and Chemical Engineering and a strong interest in the alternative energy sector, Richard was well placed to take up R&D science and engineering positions in the electrochemical energy sector where he has been working since 2006. At Ceres Power (Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells) he was involved in a wide range of activities such as the development of a novel electrolyte deposition process and current collection concepts which have been, or are being patented. Following this Richard moved to AFC Energy where he was a Senior Scientist developing alkaline fuel cells for stationary applications. At Lancaster University he continued electrochemical engineering research funded by UK research councils (EPSRC), Innovate UK, BEIS and industry. In teaching he delivered modules in particle technology, chemical engineering design and process safety. He has been director of studies for the MSc in Safety Engineering and Director of Undergradaute Teaching for Engineering at Lancaster. Since 2021, Richard has been a board director (CSO) of LiNa Energy, the Lancaster University battery spin out developing a novel low cost sodium battery technology for energy storage in high ambient temperature locations. This will allow solar plus storage to yield the cheapest and most reliable green energy solution.
Professional Role
Richard CSO of LiNa Energy.
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In-situ quality inspection of catalyst variations on fuel cell membranes
01/03/2020 → 30/07/2021
Research
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H2H Project - Phase 1
18/03/2019 → 08/09/2019
Research
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MSI Nano Sun (KTP)
01/02/2019 → 06/07/2021
Research
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MSI: LiNa Energy Cell Manufacturing
01/11/2018 → 31/10/2019
Research
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MSI: IRSIP materials for energy devices
01/10/2018 → 31/03/2019
Research
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Optimisation of Plasma Torches
01/07/2018 → 31/03/2019
Research
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LiNa: Novel Sodium Ion Battery Startup Based on IP Generated at Lancaster University COCODE
01/06/2018 → 31/10/2019
Research
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iCASE studentship 2017 : Dylan Jordan
01/10/2017 → 30/09/2022
Research
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IAA: MSP Technologies Limited
30/05/2016 → 30/04/2017
Research
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Novel diagnostic techniques for realtime monitoring and control of SOFC stacks
01/03/2015 → 30/11/2018
Research
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KTP with Ceres Power Ltd
05/01/2015 → 04/01/2018
Research
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Application of novel electrodes structures developed for SOFC technologies into AFC systems
01/05/2014 → 31/05/2015
Research
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Recovery of metal value from end of life PEMFC
22/10/2013 → 21/01/2015
Research
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FST CASE Studentship: AFC Energy
01/01/2013 → 31/12/2016
Research
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Optimising the performance of particulate adsorbents
01/10/2012 → 30/09/2015
Research
Lancaster Chemistry Academia-Industry Symposium
Symposium
Proceedings of 12th European SOFC & SOE Forum 2016 (Journal)
Editorial activity
National Physical Laboratory, Teddington (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel
Best Poster Presentation
Prize (including medals and awards)
BNFL Section Award at SET for Britain Presentations at the House of Commons 2004
Prize (including medals and awards)
First prize at Imperial College Chemical Engineering PhD Research Symposium 2006
Prize (including medals and awards)
Dudley Newitt Prize for Experimental Excellence
Prize (including medals and awards)
Harold V Disney Prize 2017
Prize (including medals and awards)
- Centre for Global Eco-innovation
- Energy Lancaster