Summary
Biography
| Date | Role |
|---|---|
| 2004- | Senior Lecturer, Chemical Engineering Department, Imperial College London |
| 1999-2004 | Lecturer, Chemical Engineering Department, Imperial College London |
| 1995-1999 | Senior Research Associate, Laboratory for Technical Chemistry, Eth-Zürich, Switzerland |
| 1992-1995 | Research Associate, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburg, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA |
| 1987-1992 | PhD in Technical Chemistry, Technical University, Vienna, Austria. Thesis title : “Synthesis and reactions of methylamines on zeolite catalysts” |
| 1986-1992 | University Assistant, Institute for Physical Chemistry, Technical University, Vienna, Austria |
| 1981-1987 | MS Technical Chemistry, Technical University, Vienna, Austria. Thesis title : “Surface chemical and catalytic properties of erionite catalysts” |
Research Interests
My main research interests are focused around the application of heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of intermediates and fine chemicals. The major motivation is providing environmentally benign routes for the production of chemicals and exploiting specific properties of heterogeneous catalysts such as shape-selectivity, ease of separation and recovery, or thermal stability. Kinetic modelling and in-situ spectroscopic characterisation are applied in order to get a more detailed mechanistic understanding of the working catalyst.
The goal is to provide alternatives for present processes that are acceptable for chemicals producers. Therefore it is imperative to give consideration to factors other than just the catalyst composition at early stages, eg. reaction mode, reactor type, compatibility with solvents, or separation of the catalyst from the products.
Zeolites are among the catalytic materials of particular interest. Their crystalline microporous nature in combination with high thermal stability, ion-exchange and sorption capacity, as well as the ability to generate acidity has made them unique materials for practical applications. To promote the understanding of heterogeneously catalysed reactions, infrared spectroscopy is an excellent tool because it allows the detection of surface species of interest. Co-adsorption studies have proven extremely valuable as model experiment for a variety of reactions. The use, application, and further methodical development of in situ IR spectroscopy for the study of catalyst surfaces will therefore be applied with special emphasis.
Links
Publications
Journals
Chadha D, Inguva PK, Bui-Le L, et al., 2023, How far do we go? Involving students as partners for redesigning teaching, Educational Action Research, Vol:32, ISSN:0965-0792, Pages:620-632
Chadha D, Campbell J, Maraj M, et al., 2022, Engaging students to shape their own learning: driving curriculum re-design using a Theory of Change approach, Education for Chemical Engineers, Vol:38, ISSN:1749-7728, Pages:14-21
Chadha D, Kogelbauer A, Campbell J, et al., 2021, Are the kids alright? Exploring students’ experiences of support mechanisms to enhance wellbeing on an engineering programme in the UK, European Journal of Engineering Education, Vol:46, ISSN:0304-3797, Pages:662-677
Chadha D, Maraj M, Kogelbauer A, 2020, Opening up assessment in the age of COVID-19: exploring the utility of online open-book exams, Advances in Engineering Education, Vol:8, ISSN:1941-1766, Pages:1-5
Bhute V, Campbell J, Kogelbauer A, et al., 2020, Moving to timed remote assessments: the impact of COVID-19 on year end exams in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, Journal of Chemical Education, Vol:97, ISSN:0021-9584, Pages:2760-2767