1974-77
PhD in Organic, Physical and Computational Chemistry
University of Liverpool and Roche Pharmaceutical Products
What: Studies of psychotropic drugs. Chemistry, Conformations and Interactions.
Where: Liverpool and Welwyn Garden City, UK. Supervisors: Dr. R.J. Abraham and Dr. W.A. Thomas.
How: Attempted to build a complete picture of structure and effect - essentially from electrons to neurons. Organic chemistry of many anti-depressant drugs and ligands. Conformational analysis of drugs by nmr. Complexation of drugs with model ligands, neurotransmitters and other biologically important molecules.
Impact
- Discovered that the solution conformations of tricyclic anti-depressants were significantly different from the generally accepted conformations generated from XRD data which impacts design of this type of drug
- Computational Chemistry: Extended semi-empirical QM to cope with these types of molecules and proved that the solution conformations were directed by the forces generated by dynamic partial charges
- Solvent studies showed that these drug molecules associate specifically with various polar aromatic molecules and tend to micellise and “stack”. Specific orientations were determined by AIS measurements and modelling. This was extended to neurotransmitters and specific associations were again identified
- Molecular modelling of the dominant solution conformations compared to the structures of neurotransmitters showed a matching configuration, which would mimic uptake in synapses. A new molecule was proposed and synthesized which was shown to be an active new drug
Selected literature and patents
1977-88
R&D Scientist
Esso (later Exxon) Chemical
What: R&D Scientist in Fuel and Fuel Additive Technology (also lubricating oil and crude oil)
Where: Milton Hill, Abingdon, UK.
How: Polymer chemistry and physics. Organic and polymer synthesis. Physical chemistry. Crystallization. Automotive engineering. Computational Chemistry. Formulation Science. IP Law. Leadership. Marketing. Arctic field-testing. Manufacturing technology.
Impact
- Introduced the theory of “tailor-made” additives to control crystal growth (like drug-receptor theory)
- Invention and synthesis of specific “comb” polymers to control crystal growth and nucleation induction times.
- Invention and synthesis of 2 new classes of crystal nucleators.
- Invention and synthesis of new Anti-settling Additives which made a step-change in winter vehicle operability
Note: These additives have been in continuous use worldwide for over 25 years. Refineries and vehicles now cannot operate without these types of additives - Many successful field trials on heating oil and diesel fuel in North Sweden and Finland
- Computational crystal growth theory which accurately predicts crystal morphology from molecular packing energies
Selected literature and patents
1988-92
R&D Fuels Manager
Exxon Chemical
What: R&D Manager. Fuel Additive Technology
Where: Milton Hill, Abingdon, UK.
How: Polymer chemistry and physics. Organic and polymer synthesis. Physical chemistry. Crystallization. Automotive engineering. Computational Chemistry. Formulation Science. IP Law. Leadership. Marketing. Manufacturing technology.
Plus added: Technology Management and WW Business Team. Leadership and people management. Creativity and Innovation research in science and technology.
Impact
- First to start research work on crystallization of biofuel. Discovered first additives to treat biofuel. First additives in the world to allow winter operation. Also the general case of modifying the crystallisation of fatty acid esters and also fatty acid glycerides
- Other areas are still proprietary information
- Exxon awards for technology excellence
Selected literature and patents
1992-95
R&D Applied Chemistry Manager
Exxon Chemical
What: Technology Manager. Lubricating oil, automatic transmission fluids, and viscosity modifiers. Also manager of analytical services.
Where: Linden, NJ, USA.
How: Polymer chemistry and physics. Organic and polymer synthesis. Physical chemistry. Crystallization. Automotive engineering. Computational Chemistry. Formulation Science. IP Law. Leadership & people management. Marketing. Manufacturing technology.
Plus added: Rheology. Surface science. Analytical science. Reactive polymer extrusion.
Impact
- Introduction of new metallocene polyolefin polymer
- R&D and commerciallisation of lube oil viscosity modifiers
- R&D and commerciallisation of lube oil flow improvers
- R&D and commerciallisation of extruder functionalization of polymers
- Discovery of free-radical induced effect of polymer degradation in real engines
- Exxon awards for technology excellence
Selected literature and patents
1995-2000
European Technology Manager
Exxon / ExxonMobil Chemical
What: Polymers Technology Manager. Manager of Analytical Services. Manager of Manufacturing Technology (at Notre Damme de Gravenchon (F)).
Where: Machelen, Brussels, Belgium.
How: Most polymer areas: Metallocene, Cationic, Anionic and Free Radical. Polymer synthesis, characterization, modelling, manufacture, processing and applications. Crystallization. Polymer engineering. Computational Chemistry. IP Law. Leadership & people management. Rheology. Surface science. Analytical science. Reactive extrusion. Adhesion science and technology.
Impact
- R&D and introduction of new tackifying resins to the adhesive market
- Framework 5 project on the science behind pressure sensitive adhesives (DEFSAM) which successfully linked the bulk and surface phase structures with the rheology with the adhesive properties
- New supported catalyst developed in conjunction with the Green Chemistry Group in York University. Almost complete reduction of waste in the chemical process
- New method of scientifically analysing the interface between an adhesive and the substrate. Phase structures identified and method patented.
- New market applications. Successfully identified two new markets and a new polymer system. New Business Development
- Other areas are still proprietary information
- Exxon / ExxonMobil awards for technology excellence
Selected literature and patents
2000-06
WW New Business Development Scientist
ExxonMobil Chemical
What: Managing and R&D in polymers.
Where: Machelen, Brussels, Belgium.
How: As above plus polymer film processing, functionalization chemistry, advanced analytical methods, e.g. RBS, rubber processing, advanced metallocene chemistry and WW marketing ventures.
Impact
- Theory of polymer architecture and polymer properties linked with adhesive theory was translated into polymer production of materials which worked first time. Commercially successful.
- High volume polymer modification by low MW compatible resins produced major mechanical improvements, e.g. strength, stiffness, barrier properties, etc. Small team produced scientific advances and WW business growth
- Discovered resin additives to enhance the adhesion between rubber laminates (e.g. tyres and belts)
- Resin additives to enhance polymer film sealing ability
- Polymer additives for improved road marking applications
- Polymer additives for asphalt modification
- New functional resins for high performance adhesives
- ExxonMobil awards for technology excellence
Selected literature and patents
2006-08
Chief Scientist
Infineum (50/50 JV between ExxonMobil and Shell)
What: New Technology. Innovation Network.
Where: Milton Hill, Abingdon, UK.
How: Key link with ExxonMobil Science & Technology. Internal and external innovation networking. Polymer Science, Synthesis and engineering. Crystallization. Rheology. Automotive engineering. Microscopy (OM, SEM, TEM, AFM). Leadership and collaboration (internal and external).
Impact
- Lead cross-business innovation network. Worked with CIKTN to develop and run Innovation Benchmarking with “exemplar” companies
- Following on from above, ran several successful UK KT Networking events
- Started coarse-grained and meso-scale modeling research in Infineum
- Other work is still proprietary information
Selected literature and patents
2007-9
Chief Scientist & New Business Development Manager
Infineum
What: Own research. New business development.
Where: Milton Hill, Abingdon, UK.
How: Internal and external innovation networking. Polymer Science, Synthesis and engineering. Crystallization. Rheology. Polymer processing engineering. Microscopy. Surface science. SAXS, WAXS, SANS.
Impact
- Work is proprietary information
Selected literature and patents
2009-14
Chief Scientist & Strategic Research Manager
Infineum
What: Strategic Research manager. New Technology. New Science. Problem solving. Innovation.
Where: Milton Hill, Abingdon, UK.
How: Leadership. Polymer Science, Synthesis and engineering. Crystallization. Rheology. Automotive engineering. Microscopy.
Impact
- Created/managed Strategic Research Group
- Created new Technology programme for the development of Fuel Additives
- New research on biofuels
- Developments with major vehicle OEMs
- Course-grained (Dissipative Particle Dynamics) in consortium with Unilever, Syngenta, Novidec and the Hartree Centre (STFC)
- Other work is proprietary information
- Royal Society of Chemistry Medal for Creativity and Innovation in Industry
Selected literature and patents
2014 - Present
LEWTAS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Founded March 2014. Registered in England. Company Number: 8931918