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Biography
I am an Anne McLaren Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, exploring the potential to use biomass based processes, collectively known as bioprocessing, to produce critical raw materials from industrial wastes found in the UK. The fellowship will explore the potential for specially selected biomasses (plants) to absorb metals from polluted land and then extract critical raw materials from these plants. My research will develop methods to upgrade biomass through new processing techniques, and replace coal in material processing. Furthermore, new material processing methods will be developed by using the unique properties of biomass to recover metals from wastes.
I completed an Engineering Doctorate with BF2RA and EDF Energy at the Efficient Fossil Energy Technologies group at the University of Nottingham in 2016. My EngD project investigated the milling of biomass for the power generation sector. I completed a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath, and following this, I worked as a Chartered Building Services engineer for Buro Happold Consulting Engineers in the UK and USA, where I specialised in developing passive and sustainable design solutions for the built environment. I was a project leader on multidisciplinary projects in the educational, sport, commercial, cultural and high end residential sector all over the world, I also has experience in the transport sector, having worked for the Snowdon Mountain Railway, and as an environmental engineer at Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace.
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Research Summary
I am an Anne McLaren Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, exploring the potential to use biomass based processes, collectively known as bioprocessing, to produce critical raw materials… read more
Recent Publications
LESTER, E., AVILA, C., PANG, C. H., WILLIAMS, O., PERKINS, J., GADDIPATTI, S., TUCKER, G., BARRAZA, J. M., TRUJILLO-URIBE, M. P. and WU, T., 2018. A proposed biomass char classification system: Fuel Fuel. 232, 845-854 WILLIAMS, O., TAYLOR, S., LESTER, E., KINGMAN, S., GIDDINGS, D. and EASTWICK, C., 2018. Applicability of mechanical tests for biomass pellet characterisation for bioenergy applications: Materials Materials. 11(8), WILLIAMS, O., EASTWICK, C., KINGMAN, S., GIDDINGS, D., LORMOR, S. and LESTER, E., 2017. Overcoming the caking phenomenon in olive mill wastes: Industrial Crops and Products Industrial Crops and Products. 101, 92-102 WILLIAMS, O., LESTER, E., KINGMAN, S., GIDDINGS, D., LORMOR, S. and EASTWICK, C., 2017. Benefits of dry comminution of biomass pellets in a knife mill: Biosystems Engineering Biosystems Engineering. 160, 42-54
Current Research
I am an Anne McLaren Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, exploring the potential to use biomass based processes, collectively known as bioprocessing, to produce critical raw materials from industrial wastes found in the UK. The fellowship will explore the potential for specially selected biomasses (plants) to absorb metals from polluted land and then extract critical raw materials from these plants. My research will develop methods to upgrade biomass through new processing techniques, and replace coal in material processing. Furthermore, new material processing methods will be developed by using the unique properties of biomass to recover metals from wastes.