James Middleton

Biography:

James’ interests include pharmaceuticals, computer modelling and process design and optimisation.

PhD: Influence of surface functional groups of organic crystals on triboelectrification

Organic crystals, such as most Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, are prone to tribo-electric charging, which influences their bulk behaviour and in extreme cases it could cause energetic discharges leading to risk of fire and explosion. This project aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of tribo-electrification of such crystals. The role of surface functional groups and physical properties (e.g. crystal size and shape) on charge transfer will be investigated with the ultimate aim of being able to predict tribo-electrification of crystals based on their molecular structure. The influence of the environment (e.g. temperature and relative humidity) and also the presence of impurities will be investigated. CCDC software will be used to visualise surfaces of crystals. The dispersion unit of Malvern Pananalytical Morphologi G3 will be used to induce tribo-electrification, and the charge transfer will be measured by a Faraday cage. This research will ultimately help identifying how charging can affect material performance.

Research Project(s) during degree:

• MEng research project - Modelling the impact of compactness and fouling on the effectiveness of aircraft compact heat exchanger systems with Professor Peter Heggs, Chemical & Process Engineering
  The research project focused on the mathematical modelling of cross flow heat exchanger unit in the context of the aviation industry. James investigated how properties such as surface area density, level of fouling and fin configuration impact on the effectiveness of this system.
• Design project (BEng) – The separation of racemic flurbiprofen into its (R/S) optical isomers.
  In his design project James with a team of his peers designed a process that could be implemented to separate the pharmaceutical flurbiprofen/tarenflurbil into a single optically pure product.

Industrial experience/placements:

• Unilever, Leeds, June 2016 – June 2017
  During his degree James completed a year in industry at Unilever’s aerosol sourcing site in Leeds, whose operational output was upwards of 800,000,000 units per annum. Working in supply chain James was exposed to many of the hands-on engineering practices required for in large scale manufacturing and was regularly expected to assist with breakdowns alongside his project work. While there James was able to reduce the minor stoppages recorded on the palletiser unit by more 10% by highlight a fault in the way the computer systems record performance data.
• Out-of-term placement at Dynamiq engineering under the mentorship of Dr Jason Hill
  Dynamiq engineering is a consultancy firm specialising in the application of finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to carry out advanced engineering analysis, engineering design and full product development.

Outreach, training and other activities:

• Student ambassador – University of Leeds (June 2018)

Masters research project in year 1 of CDT:

• ‘Understanding the role additives play on crystallisation inhibition of para-aminobenzoic acid from solution’ with Peter Kaskiewicz (cohort 3) and Professor Kevin Roberts. Chemical & Process Engineering