Ashliegh Fletcher - Lecturer in chemical engineering

Describe what you do.

I teach chemical engineering to undergraduate full-time and distance learning students and assist in Masters and PhD level training. I run my own research group, applying for funding and writing papers based on our results. 

What are you currently working on?

The main areas of my research are materials design and adsorption principles which can be used in systems such as hydrogen storage and carbon capture. Currently we are looking at natural materials to lock away carbon and man-made materials that can enhance gas storage systems.

What or who inspired you to become an engineer?

My father was an electro-hydraulic engineer and taught me a lot about science and engineering as a child. He gave me my interest in understanding how things work and how I can help make them better.

What excites you about Scottish engineering?

I was lucky enough to be a participant on the inaugural Scottish Crucible, which brings together researchers from across Scotland from a range of disciplines and this gave me a unique view of the variation and cutting-edge status of a lot of the work undertaken in Scotland. It allowed me to meet a lot more engineers and see how we fit together to make a bigger team. It also showed me how much researchers in Scotland work together and embrace collaboration.

Where do you see developments in your field in the future?

I hope to see an improvement in the capture and recovery of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and more joined-up thinking in combating the release of carbon in the first instance.