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Age: 28

A-Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics

Degree: MSci (Hons) Chemistry, PhD Chemistry

Greg makes fuel cells. Greg is also part of the Imperial Racing Green Team building a fuel cell hybrid racing cart with zero emissions.

My job is….
I work at Imperial College London where I am a postdoctoral researcher. My research is in developing fuel cells, which are a device for converting chemical energy to electrical energy similar to a battery. As an electrochemist working in a field traditionally dominated by engineers and materials scientists I am applying novel three electrode techniques to investigate the fundamentals of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) operation. This is to further the understanding of reactions occurring on the anode in SOFC's, of particular interest is the direct electrochemical oxidation of carbon monoxide. The aim is to further the development of SOFC's running on fuels containing high carbon content. I also conduct research on PEM fuel cells. I also manage the EPSRC Supergen Fuel Cells Consortium for my boss Professor Nigel Brandon, and co-founded and help manage Imperial Racing Green.

Home is…..
I live in Shadwell in East London. I live in a flat with my wife Amy. I have lived in this area for a long time now, it is great and we know quite a lot of people, and go to church just down the road. I cycle to work, and on my way I get excellent views of Tower Bridge, St Pauls Cathedral, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace, which is pretty cool.

The story so far….
I was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and grew up in a small village called Nailsworth for the first 18 years of my life. I went to an all boys Grammar School called Marling, where my interest in Chemistry was kindled by my A level Chemistry teacher. I then went to University at Imperial College London to study Chemistry for 4 years, after which I worked as a Management Consultant for just over a year, before I decided to go back to University and get my PhD.

Day in the life
A typical day in my job would involve going down to the lab and setting up a series of experiments for the day, then going up to my office and reading a journal paper (I aim to read at least 1 a day), coffee break is always at 11, followed by checking emails and any paperwork before lunch. The afternoon is normally spent sorting out experimental equipment, either modifying something or building something. However, a typical day is very rare, and often I will have meetings, lectures, conferences or seminars that take up half a day or more, and my virtually non-existent routine is interrupted.

Pet project
I am currently on the management team of Imperial College’s new undergraduate and research project to develop a Fuel Cell Hybrid Racing cart. This is called Imperial Racing Green. The project has been going for over a year now, and we currently have about 64 undergraduates working on building 3 zero emission fuel cell powered hybrid electric vehicles. The prototype go-cart is already finished and the second more powerful go-cart will race in the Formula Zero Championships this summer. We are also building a full size single seater race car which will race in the IMechE organised Formula Student at Silverstone next year. This is a really exciting project to be organising, and we have a huge amount of support at the highest levels at Imperial College London, where this is seen to be the future.

Freetime
I occasionally watch TV, of the few programmes I really like watching are Dr Who, the Simpsons, and documentaries. Other than that, I get involved in a lot of activities in my local church. I also meet up with friends regularly and spend the odd evening playing pool in my local club or in the pub trying to solve all the worlds’ problems. At weekends I like to go away to the countryside and go walking and camping.

What are your burning ambitions?
My ambition is to become an academic researcher, and eventually lead a research team.

The best thing is…..
The best thing about my job is the variety and number of different things that I get to do. This involves my lab work, building equipment, writing papers, attending conferences, organising symposiums, teaching and talking about my research. I never have a boring day at work, and the choice of activities is huge.

Any regret(s)?
None

What do you love most about science and engineering?
Working out how the world works, and understanding why.

Name ONE quirky/crazy fact about you or your job.
I like eating, and have a huge mouth; I can put an entire wagon wheel in it without leaving any teeth marks.