Abigail Snowdon

Centre for Doctoral Training Doctoral Researcher

abby

Address

School of Chemical Engineering
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
B15 2TT
United Kingdom 

Email

AXS1420@bham.ac.uk 

Lead Supervisor

Professor Robert Steinberger-Wilckens 

Research summary

Abby graduated from the University of Hull in July 2015 with a masters degree in Chemistry and spent some time working before joining the Centre for Doctoral Training in Fuel Cells and their Fuels in April 2017.

Based at the University of Birmingham, her research focuses on optimising reversible solid oxide fuel cells (rSOFC) to reduce degradation effects. As well as this, she will be investigating methane-assisted co-electrolysis in a carbon capture and recycle system.   

She is funded through the EPSRC CDT  in Fuel Cells and their fuels: EP/L015749/1.

Qualifications

MChem: Chemistry with Industrial Experience, University of Hull, 2015.

Biography

Abby graduated from her MChem degree in 2015. Her masters project investigated the use of the organic polymer sporopollenin as a novel acid catalyst in a range of chemical transformations. For her industrial placement, Abby worked for PepsiCo at their R&D centre in the analytical laboratories where she worked on different method development and validation techniques for the food and beverage industry. After graduating, she worked for Mettler-Toledo in the Process Analytics division for one year before travelling across Europe and Australia. 

Research

Abby’s area of research focuses on reversible solid oxide fuel cells, specifically co-electrolysis and reducing the effects of degradation. By using methane as a fuel in rSOFC, higher rates of degradation are observed however the total energy input of the system can be reduced and the overall efficiency of the cell improved. Abby will be investigating microstructural changes and optimising the operating parameters to maximise efficiency. 

Other activities

Abby enjoys a range of activities, namely running, surfing and swimming. In her spare time, she also enjoys travelling and learning foreign languages.  

Publications