Research

Research Priorities: Computational Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Catalysis, Crystallography

Richard Catlow is a British chemist. He employs the latest developments in computational technology, used in direct conjunction with experiments, especially employing synchrotron X-Ray and neutron scattering techniques, in his research. The aim is to model and predict the properties of complex materials at the atomic and molecular level and advance the fundamental knowledge in the rapidly developing field of contemporary chemistry.

His research develops and applies computational modeling in conjunction with experiments as powerful and predictive tools in solid-state and surface science. He explores a wide range of materials and applications, including oxide, sulphide, silicate, and molecular materials, with strong emphasis on applications in energy and catalytic technologies. Current priorities include: Modelling the structures and energetics of disordered materials, especially those used in energy storage devices and as transparent conducting oxides; modelling and predicting the structures of crystals, surfaces, and nano-particles; understanding the structures and mechanisms of catalytic processes at the molecular level using a combination of computational modeling with synchrotron and neutron based spectroscopy, with a strong emphasis on oxide and microporous catalytic systems as well as modelling the properties of photo-active oxides.

Richard Catlow’s research includes extensive technique as well as application. Current development projects relating to computational modelling include the derivation of interatomic potential models of inorganic materials and of quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical techniques for accurate predictions of the properties of localized states in solids. His group at University College London also develops software for implementation on high-performance computing platforms. The team lead by professor Catlow develops in operando techniques for synchrotron and neutron scattering studies of catalytic processes on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in the UK.

His work is also of direct relevance to areas of key societal and economic importance, including materials for renewable energy and environmentally friendly catalytic technologies, and has always had strong interactions with the industrial sector. Computational modelling of materials is now used widely and routinely in chemicals industry.

Career

• since 2015 Professor of Computational and Catalytic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
• since 2014 Professorial Research Fellow, Chemistry Department, University College London, London, UK
• 2007-2014 Professor of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
• 1989-2007 Wolfson Professor of Natural Philosophy, Royal Institution, London, UK
• 1985-1989 Professor of Physical Chemistry, Joint Appointment between University of Keele, Newcastle, UK and Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, UK
• 1976-1985 University Lecturer in Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
• 1975-1976 International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) Research Fellow, St John's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
• 1973-1975 ICI Research Fellow, Theoretical Chemistry Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

Functions

• since 2017 Co-Chair, Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP) for Policy
• since 2017 Vice-President, European Academies Science Advice Council (EASAC)
• since 2016 Vice President, Royal Society, UK
• 2016-2021 Foreign Secretary, Royal Society, UK
• 2007-2014 Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
• 2002-2007 Head of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
• 1998-2007 Director, Davy Faraday Laboratory, Royal Institution, London, UK
• 1985-1989 Leader, Diffraction Group, Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, UK

Projects

• 2013 Co-Founder, UK Catalysis Hub, UK
• 1994 Founder, High Performance Computing Consortium, UK Materials Chemistry, UK
• 1980 Co-Founder, Discussion Group on Polar Solids (subsequently, Solid State Group), Royal Society of Chemistry, UK

Honours and Memberships

• 2022 Honorary Doctorate, University of Bath, Bath, UK
• 2020 Faraday Lectureship Award, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, UK
• since 2020 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
• since 2017 Member, Learned Society of Wales, Cardiff, UK
• since 2013 Member, Academia Europaea
• 2017 Honorary Fellow, Cuban Chemical Society, Cuba
• 2011 Honorary Member, Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI), India
• 2006 Fellow, The World Academy of Science (TWAS)
• since 2004 Fellow, Royal Society, UK
• 1996 Honorary Member, Materials Research Society of India, India
• 1995 Fellow, Institute of Physics, London, UK
• 1990 Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, UK