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Miss Sofia Mediavilla Madrigal
(she/her)
MEng
Research student
Overview
I graduated in 2020 with an MEng in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London. During my studies, I spent a year abroad at the National University of Singapore, where I first became interested in chemical catalysis. I am now a member of Beale's group pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at Cardiff University under the supervision of Profs. Andy Beale, Stuart Taylor and Graham Hutchings.
My project mainly focuses on the characterisation of heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation using different X-ray methods and spectroscopy techniques.
Publication
2023
- Potter, M. E. et al. 2023. A high pressure operando spectroscopy examination of bimetal interactions in ‘Metal Efficient’ palladium/In 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts for CO 2 hydrogenation. Angewandte Chemie 135(45), article number: e202312645. (10.1002/ange.202312645)
- Dempsey, S. D. et al. 2023. Continuous-flow transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile using formate as a safe and sustainable source of hydrogen †. Reaction Chemistry and Engineering (10.1039/d3re00195d)
- Allen, L., Agote-Arán, M., Beale, A. M., Cong, P., Mediavilla Madrigal, S. and Price, S. W. 2023. EXAFS studies of inorganic catalytic materials. In: Reedijk, J. and Poeppelmeier, K. R. eds. Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry III. Elsevier, pp. 108-148., (10.1016/B978-0-12-823144-9.00158-8)
Articles
- Potter, M. E. et al. 2023. A high pressure operando spectroscopy examination of bimetal interactions in ‘Metal Efficient’ palladium/In 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts for CO 2 hydrogenation. Angewandte Chemie 135(45), article number: e202312645. (10.1002/ange.202312645)
- Dempsey, S. D. et al. 2023. Continuous-flow transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile using formate as a safe and sustainable source of hydrogen †. Reaction Chemistry and Engineering (10.1039/d3re00195d)
Book sections
- Allen, L., Agote-Arán, M., Beale, A. M., Cong, P., Mediavilla Madrigal, S. and Price, S. W. 2023. EXAFS studies of inorganic catalytic materials. In: Reedijk, J. and Poeppelmeier, K. R. eds. Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry III. Elsevier, pp. 108-148., (10.1016/B978-0-12-823144-9.00158-8)
Research
I'm keen on catalysis and am currently working on characterising catalysts for CO2 conversion to methanol, combining infrared spectroscopy and X-ray methods under in situ and operando conditions. This project is in collaboration with experts from internationally leading research centres for catalysis, including the UK (CCI and UK Catalysis Hub at Harwell), the Netherlands (MCEC, Utrecht) and Germany (FHI, Berlin).
Thesis
Characterisation of novel trimetallic catalysts for carbon dioxide activation
Biography
Honours and awards
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The Human Water Cycle - Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Aug 23Circular Economy for Chemical Engineers - Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Jul 23
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An Introduction to Sustainability - Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Aug 23
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Green Impact Environmental Auditor - Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK), May 22
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Leading Authentically - The Institute of Leadership, Jan 22
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Leading Strategically - The Institute of Leadership, Apr 21
Professional memberships
Speaking engagements
- EuropaCat 2023
- Operando VII
- UKCC 2023
- Speaking of Science 2022
- UKCC 2021
Committees and reviewing
- Speaking of Science 2021
