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Biography

Dr Greg A Mutch is a chemical engineer advancing sustainable energy systems through innovations in carbon capture, gas separations, and membrane technologies. As head of research (chemical engineering) at Newcastle University, he develops materials and processes that enable low-carbon industrial transformation.
 
 Growing up in Aberdeen, where the oil industry shaped everyday life, he chose to pursue solutions to its environmental impact. His research has challenged long-standing assumptions, showing that surface chemistry – not surface area – governs carbon dioxide adsorption, and developing membranes that surpass conventional limits, including systems capable of 'uphill' carbon capture from air using ambient energy.
 
He plays leading roles in major UK research programmes on membrane separations and net zero process industries, spanning fundamental discovery to system-level integration.
 
Dr Mutch is also committed to developing people and engaging widely. He has supervised more than 30 researchers (from Master’s students to postdoctoral researchers), supports independent careers through mentorship, and contributes to policy, media, and community-led initiatives on the energy transition – work recognised by the 2025 IChemE Warner Medal.
 
Through research, leadership, and engagement, he is helping to accelerate a just transition to net zero.

For early career researchers, I would simply say that uncertainty does not mean you are on the wrong path, and that progress is often built quietly through persistence, opportunity, and support.

Greg Mutch

Q&A

Can you tell us more about your work?

My work focuses on one of the central challenges of climate change: how to remove carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and directly from the air in a way that is practical, affordable, and scalable.
 
Current carbon capture technologies are often too energy-intensive and costly. I develop new materials and processes – particularly membranes and solid sorbents – that act like highly selective filters, separating carbon dioxide more efficiently and reducing the energy required for capture.

A key part of my research involves challenging long-held assumptions. For example, we have shown that the type of surface in a material can matter more than its surface area for capturing carbon dioxide. We have also developed membranes that go beyond previous performance limits, including systems that can extract carbon dioxide from air using ambient energy sources such as humidity differences.
 
These advances could help decarbonise industries like steel, cement, and chemicals, and support the large-scale removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – both essential for meeting climate targets.
 
Alongside this, I work across disciplines with engineers, economists, and policymakers to understand how new technologies can be deployed in real energy systems. I also engage with industry and the public, because new technologies must be understood and trusted before they can be impactful.

Who or what first sparked your interest in chemistry, and how has that interest evolved over time? 

I have always been driven by curiosity, and I feel fortunate to have been able to pursue that through chemistry. An early influence was a crystal-growing set I received as a child, along with an inspiring school teacher, Ms Barnett, who encouraged hands-on experimentation and independent thinking.

At university, my interest became more focused when I encountered articles on carbon capture in publications such as New Scientist and ÉîÒ¹¸£Àû¹ú²ú¾«Æ· World. That was the first time I saw how chemistry could address real-world challenges at scale. This direction was reinforced during my PhD by a talk from Professor Ian Metcalfe, which ultimately influenced my move to Newcastle.

Over time, my interest has evolved from curiosity about chemical systems to a broader focus on how chemistry and engineering can contribute to addressing major societal challenges, particularly in energy and sustainability.

What has been the most rewarding or memorable highlight of your career so far? 

I’ve been fortunate to have several rewarding moments – completing my PhD, securing my first academic position, and achieving key publication and funding milestones. All of these have meant a great deal to me.

Increasingly, however, the most rewarding aspect has been seeing students and researchers I’ve worked with go on to achieve their own successes. That progression – from personal milestones to supporting others – has been particularly meaningful.

Ultimately, what stands out most are the people I’ve met along the way. I feel very grateful to have worked with such talented and supportive colleagues, collaborators, and students.

What do you wish more people understood about your field or the chemical sciences in general? 

I wish more people understood how fundamental the chemical sciences are to everyday life – from the toothpaste we use in the morning to the materials in our homes and the fuels and batteries that power our lives and mobility. These products often appear seamlessly when we need them, but behind them are complex supply chains and highly skilled people working to design, manufacture, and deliver them safely and efficiently.

Because of this, the health of the chemical sciences – and the industries built on them – matters enormously, not just for innovation but for our everyday lives.

Are there any scientific developments, either recent or on the horizon, that you are excited about? 

Not withstanding cutting-edge uses of AI, I am optimistic that AI will significantly improve how we do science by reducing the amount of repetitive and administrative work that can take time away from creativity and deep thinking. Whether it is paperwork, data processing, or routine analysis, there is real potential for these tools to allow scientists to focus more on innovation and problem solving.

What does good research culture mean to you, and why does it matter? 

The bedrock of a good research culture is psychological safety – the ability to speak up, challenge ideas, and take intellectual risks without fear. Academia depends on open dialogue, creativity, and time to think, and these only flourish in environments where people feel supported and respected.

This matters because the best ideas rarely emerge fully formed. They develop through discussion, disagreement, and iteration. Without a strong, inclusive culture, we risk losing both good ideas and talented people.

If you had unlimited resources, what research question would you most want to explore? 

Hmmm… the common cold, back pain, getting a GP appointment, a robot to clean my house and cook for me, and the thermodynamic impossibility of a truly circular economy. I’m not sure there’s a coherent research programme in that just yet.

The more serious answer is dilute, complex chemical separations. As we move towards a more circular economy while also increasing demand for resources and reducing environmental impact, separations become ever more central. The challenge is that they are becoming increasingly dilute, complex, and energy-intensive, requiring fundamentally new approaches if they are to remain viable at scale.