Under the leadership of Dr. Sam Cobb, this lab takes a comprehensive approach to unlocking the potential of electrochemical technologies. By studying processes at every level – from the molecular scale to full device operation – the team designs advanced devices capable of producing high-value platform chemicals.
What sets this lab apart is its unique integration of cutting-edge experimental techniques with multiphysics modeling, enabling seamless device production, testing, and characterisation. This end-to-end capability allows the lab to support industry partners at every stage of innovation – from understanding platform chemicals to optimising performance and creating prototypes. It can support in accelerating innovation, designing new technologies and the development of novel approaches, techniques and applications.
The lab specialises in:
Electrolyser rapid prototyping
Electrode environment understanding and optimisation
New electrode architectures for electrolysers
Catalyst design and development
Biocatalyst integration into electrolysers
Integration of electrolysis with carbon capture
Utilisation of waste streams with CO2 reduction
Multiphysics modelling of electrolyser systems
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the lab supports partners ranging from SMEs to global organisation in advancing technologies from early research to proof of concept (TRL 1–4).
Ongoing projects include:
- developing sustainable aviation fuel by converting captured CO₂ into ethylene, a key building block in fuel production
- collaborating with DARPA, the US agency renowned for funding high-risk, high-reward research, to produce ethanol in resource-constrained environments.
Our impact
By addressing key scientific questions in electrocatalysis, the research is driving breakthroughs that enable the efficient production of chemicals from waste, helping industries transition to more sustainable practices.
Developing electrochemical refineries to create sustainable fuels and chemicals from waste →
Producing negative carbon fertiliser using electrochemical technologies →
Speak to our experts
Dr Sam Cobb
Lecturer in Electrochemistry
- Fundamental understanding of electrocatalytic systems, with a particular focus on CO2 reduction
- Combining experiment and multi-physics modelling
- Rapid prototyping and testing of new electrolyser concepts
Professor Robert Dryfe
Professor of Physical Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Electrodeposition
- Liquid-liquid interfaces
- Electrochemical sensors
Dr Atal Gill
PDRA
- Integration of biocatalysts into electrolysers
- Rapid prototyping of electrolysers
- CO2 reduction
