Samuel specialises in the use of electrochemistry to produce energy storage, with a particular focus on the storage of renewable energy. His research focuses on combining electrolysis and fuel cell technology with 3D printing to find new and future-proof ways of storing energy – and his goal is to create a breakthrough that marries up 3D print and fuel cell technology. Samuel also conducts fundamental research into 2D nanomaterials including graphene and NOS2.

A passionate environmentalist, Samuel loves working with local SMEs to educate them on renewable energy sources and develop next-generation fuel cell and hydrogen devices. As well as conducting research and liaising with local businesses, he supervises current PhD students.

Sam also runs his own business, Manchester’s only rum distillery. The Manchester Still uses experimental distillation processes and the authentic vibrations produced by trains going over the Whitworth arches.

Who am I?

Sam specialises in the utilisation of electrochemical techniques for the testing and production of state-of-the-art clean energy storage devices. His research focuses on combining electrolysis and fuel cell technology with 3D printing to find new and future-proof ways of storing energy – and his goal is to create a breakthrough that marries up 3D print and fuel cell technology. Sam also conducts fundamental research into 2D nanomaterials such as graphene and molybdenum disufide.

A passionate environmentalist, Sam loves working with local SMEs to educate them on renewable energy sources and develop next-generation fuel cell and hydrogen devices. As well as conducting research and liaising with local businesses, he supervises current PhD students.

Sam also runs his own business, Manchester’s only rum distillery. Sam learnt the experimental distillation processes that the distillery uses during his own higher education.

Research Expertise, Publications & Grants

Publications

• Journal articlesJP. Hughes, J. Clipsham, H. Chavushoglu, SJ. Rowley-Neale, CE. Banks (2021). Polymer electrolyte electrolysis: A review of the activity and stability of non-precious metal hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction catalysts. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 139, JP. Hughes, S. Rowley-Neale, C. Banks (2021). Enhancing the efficiency of the hydrogen evolution reaction utilising Fe3P bulk modified screen-printed electrodes via the application of a magnetic field. RSC Advances. 11, pp.8073-8079. J. Scremin, GJ. Mattos, RD. Crapnell, SJ. Rowley-Neale, CE. Banks, et al. (2020). Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Layering of Carbon Black/Poly(Allylamine Hydrochloride) Composite for Multianalyte Determination. Electroanalysis. 33(2), pp.526-536. A. Garcia-Miranda Ferrari, P. Carrington, SJ. Rowley-Neale, CE. Banks (2020). Recent advances in portable heavy metal electrochemical sensing platforms. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. 6(10), pp.2676-2690. N. Srinivasa, L. Shreenivasa, PS. Adarakatti, RD. Crapnell, SJ. Rowley-Neale, et al. (2020). Functionalized Co3O4 Graphitic Nanoparticles: A High Performance Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 45(56), pp.31380-31388. J. Scremin, IV. Joviano dos Santos, JP. Hughes, A. Garcia-Miranda Ferrari, E. Valderrama, et al. (2020). Platinum nanoparticle decorated vertically aligned graphene screen-printed electrodes: electrochemical characterisation and exploration towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. Nanoscale. 12(35), pp.18214-18224. PL. dos Santos, SJ. Rowley-Neale, A. Garcia-Miranda Ferrari, JA. Bonacin, CE. Banks (2019). Ni−Fe (Oxy)hydroxide Modified Graphene Additive Manufactured (3D-Printed) Electrochemical Platforms as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. ChemElectroChem. 6(22), pp.5633-5641. PS. Adarakatti, M. Mahanthappa, JP. Hughes, SJ. Rowley-Neale, GC. Smith, et al. (2019). MoS2-graphene-CuNi2S4 nanocomposite an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 44(31), pp.16069-16078. M. Baccarin, SJ. Rowley-Neale, ÉTG. Cavalheiro, GC. Smith, CE. Banks (2019). Nanodiamond based surface modified screen-printed electrodes for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of dopamine and uric acid. Microchimica Acta. 186(3), N. Srinivasa, L. Shreenivasa, PS. Adarakatti, JP. Hughes, SJ. Rowley-Neale, et al. (2019). In situ addition of graphitic carbon into a NiCo2O4/CoO composite: Enhanced catalysis toward the oxygen evolution reaction. RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences. 9(43), pp.24995-25002. E. Martínez-Periñán, I. Bravo, SJ. Rowley-Neale, E. Lorenzo, CE. Banks (2018). Carbon Nanodots as Electrocatalysts towards the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. Electroanalysis. 30(3), pp.436-444. A. Yadegari, L. Samiee, S. Tasharrofi, S. Tajik, A. Rashidi, et al. (2017). Nitrogen doped nanoporous graphene: An efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. RSC Advances. 7(87), pp.55555-55566. 
• Chapters in booksSJ. Rowley-Neale, CE. Banks (2018). Electrocatalytic Properties of Carbon Electrode Surfaces. In: Encyclopedia of Interfacial Chemistry. Elsevier, pp.531-538. SJ. Rowley-Neale, CE. Banks (2018). Biosensors—Microelectrode Design and Operation. In: Encyclopedia of Interfacial Chemistry. Elsevier, pp.72-80. 

Expert reviewer for journals and publishers

Reviewer for the following academic journals:

• Microchimica Acta
• Electrochimica Acta
• MDPI – molecules
• MDPI –  Biosensors
• ACS Applied Energy Materials
• RSC ChemComm

Engagement & Knowledge Exchange

Projects and initiatives

• AQUACHECK in conjunction with Seven Trent Water have partnered, via a KTP with Dr Rowley-Neale (CI) in order to produce a portable electrochemical lead sensor. (2019-Present)
• The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) partnered, via a KTP and Dr Rowley-Neale (CI) to investigate the application of 2D advanced materials as cost effective alternatives to precious metals within fuel cell technologies. (2019-Present)

Awards, Honours & Distinctions

Prizes and awards

2018 EPSRC Clean energy grant – 100,000. The grant was to explore the use of 2D-MoS2 as a cost effective alternative to Pt within electrolysers, thereby allowing for a reduction in the cost of hydrogen making it more competitive with fossil fuel counterparts.

Expert reviewer for external funding bodies

Reviewer for the following academic journals:

• Microchimica Acta
• Electrochimica Acta
• MDPI – molecules
• MDPI –  Biosensors
• ACS Applied Energy Materials
• RSC ChemComm