Dr James Dawson - 2023 Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prize winner

Dr James Dawson MRSC

Winner: 2023 Harrison-Meldola Memorial Prize

Newcastle University

For outstanding contributions to the understanding and modelling of ion transport and interfaces in energy materials.

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The use of AI and machine learning approaches is already revolutionising how we design, carry out and analyse experiments and simulations in chemistry and materials science.

The need for improved energy materials is one of the most pressing scientific challenges we face. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in renewable energy technologies in their efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The Dawson group employs computational modelling to improve the fundamental understanding and performance of materials for energy storage, conversion and generation technologies, including batteries, fuel cells and solar cells. Such improvements are critical for developing the next-generation devices required for our current and future energy demands.

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Dr James A Dawson is a Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow (Reader in Energy Materials from August 2023) in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. His research uses state-of-the-art computational techniques to investigate ion transport and defects in energy materials and their interfaces.

Prior to joining Newcastle University, James was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath (2016–2019), where he carried out simulations of battery materials with a particular focus on solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries. Before this, he researched materials for resistive random access memories as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Cambridge (2016–2019). Following his PhD at the University of Sheffield (2009–2013), working on perovskite materials for electronics, James spent two years at Kyoto University (2013–2015) in Japan as a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow. He worked on a variety of topics, including cathodes and electrolytes for battery and solid oxide fuel cell applications.

James’s research has been recognised by a number of early career awards and prizes, as well as funding from UKRI, the Leverhulme Trust, and the Faraday Institution.

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

My passion for chemistry and science in general developed quite late and I actually studied mostly arts rather than science subjects prior to my undergraduate degree. My interest in chemistry really started to bloom at GCSE level and I became fascinated in understanding the structures and properties of molecules and materials and how they relate to their applications.

What motivates you?

My scientific curiosity and the excitement from starting a new project and/or collaboration and then obtaining the initial results have been major motivating factors in my career since starting my PhD. Also, now that I have my own research group, I get to share this curiosity and excitement with them!

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

With the rise of chatbots, such as ChatGPT, AI and machine learning are currently at the forefront of scientific and political debate. The use of AI and machine learning approaches is already revolutionising how we design, carry out and analyse experiments and simulations in chemistry and materials science. I am very excited to see the inevitable breakthroughs that will be made in this area in the near future.

Why is chemistry important?

It is a bit of a cliché but chemistry is important because it is everywhere and everything! Walter White expressed it far more eloquently than I can: "Technically, chemistry is the study of matter, but I prefer to see it as the study of change. Electrons change their energy levels. Molecules change their bonds. Elements combine and change into compounds. But that's all of life, right? It's the constant, it's the cycle. It's solution, dissolution. Just over and over and over. It is growth, then decay, then transformation. It's fascinating really."

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Coming from a working-class background in Stoke and as the first member of my family to study at university, I have faced a certain amount of classism, particularly in the earliest stages of my career. Whilst challenging and frustrating at times, I find combatting such ignorance to be a great motivator.

What is your favourite element?

Although it would be easy to choose lithium given our focus on battery research, I would have to go for titanium. I have been curious about the chemistry and properties of titanium and its compounds since working on BaTiO3 as a ceramic capacitor during my PhD. Plus, how many elements have number-one singles written about them?