Newcastle head of ChemEng research wins RSC sustainability award

Greg Mutch

NEWCASTLE University’s head of chemical engineering research and development (R&D) has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) early career prize for environment, sustainability and energy, for his work in membrane-based carbon capture. 

Greg Mutch, who was also the winner of IChemE’s Warner Medal last year, has since 2016 investigated how gas separation using membranes and sorbents can be applied to both industrial carbon capture and direct air capture, in which CO2 is removed directly from the atmosphere. 

Established methods to capture CO2 are too energy-intensive and costly, Mutch argued, and membrane-based technology could play an important role in decarbonisation. “Its modular design and lower energy requirements could help reduce the cost and complexity of capturing carbon dioxide”, he told TCE. “The specific membranes I work on, molten-salt membranes, also offer the potential for integrated reaction engineering due to their higher operating temperature than polymeric membranes.”

Mutch’s work also looks into “challenging long-held assumptions”, most notably in his findings on how surface properties can have a stronger effect on carbon capture than surface area. He attributed his interest in carbon capture to his upbringing in Aberdeen, the centre of the UK’s oil and gas industry. “A teacher inspired me to pursue chemistry at university, and then articles on carbon capture made me think about how the chemistry I was already familiar with can be applied in processes”, he said.

The prize was awarded to Mutch this month as part of RSC’s annual awards across R&D, fundamental discovery work, diversity and inclusion and volunteering. CEO Helen Paid said: “I extend my warmest congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

“Winning an RSC prize is a remarkable achievement. You join the ranks of a star-studded roster stretching back over 150 years, including several dozen who went onto win Nobel prizes. Our winners are exceptional role models for our communities, and we’re so pleased to be celebrating such an extraordinary cohort this year.”

Mutch added that his prize “reflects the contributions of the outstanding students, collaborators, and colleagues I have had the privilege to work with”.