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Dr Josh Davies-Jones
Postdoctoral Research Associate & Nanovibrational Spectroscopy Manager
- DaviesJA21@cardiff.ac.uk
- Translational Research Hub, Room 0.54, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
As a surface scientist, I specialize in using cutting-edge techniques such as:
- Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM): an IR-based nanospectroscopic technique that allows me to study the properties and behaviour of materials at the nanoscale, specifically the bonds and molecules present at the interfaces.
- Cryogenic X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS): which I use to study the chemical composition of materials and surfaces. For biological and volatile systems, I work with Harwell XPS and have experience in developing methods to analyse complex samples.
My research interests include:
- Understanding the growth mechanisms of nanoparticles: specifically, how and why they make different shapes so that we can make better, more well-designed nanomaterials
- Understanding the structure and bonding in microbes: I am interested in how to design materials to combat them and combat antimicrobial resistance
- Studying the degradation of plastics in the environment: I am the Principal Investigator of the project 'Nanoplastic Pollution: Understanding the missing 99%', I am using PiFM and XPS to study the degradation of plastics in the environment and understand the mechanism behind it.
I am passionate about fostering collaborations to find solutions to real-world problems and make an impact in the field of surface science. I invite you to explore my work and learn more about the fascinating world of interfaces.
Publication
2024
- Davies-Jones, J., Davies, P. R., Graf, A., Hewes, D., Hill, K. E. and Pascoe, M. 2024. Photoinduced force microscopy as a novel method for the study of microbial nanostructures. Nanoscale 16(1), pp. 223-236. (10.1039/D3NR03499B)
2023
- MacAulay, S., Masud, N., Davies-Jones, J., Ward, B. D. and Cable, J. 2023. The impacts of synthetic and cellulose-based fibres and their associated dyes on fish hosts and parasite health. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (10.1007/s11356-023-30794-0)
- Court-Wallace, C., Davies, P., Davies-Jones, J. and Ososki, G. 2023. PiFM and XPS Studies of Porous TiO2 Films for the Photocatalytic Decomposition of Polystyrene. Catalysts 13(4) (10.3390/catal13040725)
2022
- Davies, P. R. R. and Davies-Jones, J. 2022. Photo induced Force Microscopy: chemical spectroscopy beyond the diffraction limit. Materials Chemistry Frontiers 6(12), pp. 1552-1573. (10.1039/D2QM00040G)
2021
- Allen, L., Davies-Jones, J., Davies, P. R., King, S. and O'Reilly, P. 2021. Tuning the structure of cerium phosphate nanorods. CrystEngComm 23(46), pp. 8215-8225. (10.1039/D1CE01151K)
- Isaacs, M. A. et al. 2021. Advanced XPS characterization: XPS-based multi-technique analyses for comprehensive understanding of functional materials. Materials Chemistry Frontiers 5(22), pp. 7931-7963. (10.1039/D1QM00969A)
- Davies, J. 2021. Controlling the Au/Iron oxide interface to optimise plasmonic resonance for magneto-optic diagnostics. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2020
- Allender, C. J. et al. 2020. The role of growth directors in controlling the morphology of hematite nanorods. Nanoscale Research Letters 15, article number: 161. (10.1186/s11671-020-03387-w)
2018
- Baletto, F. et al. 2018. Application of new nanoparticle structures as catalysts: general discussion. Faraday Discussions 208, pp. 575-593. (10.1039/C8FD90016G)
- Adishev, A. et al. 2018. Control of catalytic nanoparticle synthesis: general discussion. Faraday Discussions 208, pp. 471-495. (10.1039/C8FD90015A)
Articles
- Davies-Jones, J., Davies, P. R., Graf, A., Hewes, D., Hill, K. E. and Pascoe, M. 2024. Photoinduced force microscopy as a novel method for the study of microbial nanostructures. Nanoscale 16(1), pp. 223-236. (10.1039/D3NR03499B)
- MacAulay, S., Masud, N., Davies-Jones, J., Ward, B. D. and Cable, J. 2023. The impacts of synthetic and cellulose-based fibres and their associated dyes on fish hosts and parasite health. Environmental Science and Pollution Research (10.1007/s11356-023-30794-0)
- Court-Wallace, C., Davies, P., Davies-Jones, J. and Ososki, G. 2023. PiFM and XPS Studies of Porous TiO2 Films for the Photocatalytic Decomposition of Polystyrene. Catalysts 13(4) (10.3390/catal13040725)
- Davies, P. R. R. and Davies-Jones, J. 2022. Photo induced Force Microscopy: chemical spectroscopy beyond the diffraction limit. Materials Chemistry Frontiers 6(12), pp. 1552-1573. (10.1039/D2QM00040G)
- Allen, L., Davies-Jones, J., Davies, P. R., King, S. and O'Reilly, P. 2021. Tuning the structure of cerium phosphate nanorods. CrystEngComm 23(46), pp. 8215-8225. (10.1039/D1CE01151K)
- Isaacs, M. A. et al. 2021. Advanced XPS characterization: XPS-based multi-technique analyses for comprehensive understanding of functional materials. Materials Chemistry Frontiers 5(22), pp. 7931-7963. (10.1039/D1QM00969A)
- Allender, C. J. et al. 2020. The role of growth directors in controlling the morphology of hematite nanorods. Nanoscale Research Letters 15, article number: 161. (10.1186/s11671-020-03387-w)
- Baletto, F. et al. 2018. Application of new nanoparticle structures as catalysts: general discussion. Faraday Discussions 208, pp. 575-593. (10.1039/C8FD90016G)
- Adishev, A. et al. 2018. Control of catalytic nanoparticle synthesis: general discussion. Faraday Discussions 208, pp. 471-495. (10.1039/C8FD90015A)
Thesis
- Davies, J. 2021. Controlling the Au/Iron oxide interface to optimise plasmonic resonance for magneto-optic diagnostics. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
Research Overview
My research focuses on using cutting-edge techniques such as Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) and Cryogenic X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to study the properties and behaviour of materials at the nanoscale. I am particularly interested in understanding the growth mechanisms of nanoparticles, how to design materials to combat microbes and combat antimicrobial resistance, and studying the degradation of plastics in the environment.
I am an expert in using IR-based nanospectroscopic techniques such as PiFM to study the properties and behaviour of materials at the nanoscale. I have experience in developing methods for using PiFM and XPS to study complex samples, including biological and volatile systems.
Current Projects
- I am the Principal Investigator of 'Nanoplastic Pollution: Understanding the missing 99%', a collaboration between multiple stakeholders utilizing PiFM and Surface Spectroscopy to study the degradation of plastics.
- I am researching the development of Cryogenic-XPS to analyze surfaces of complex systems at the Cardiff Catalysis Institute
- I am working on the development of magnetic nanorods as probes for point-of-care diagnostics
Recent Collaborations
- I have collaborated with the Cardiff University Biosciences Department to examine the composition of the bacterial envelope of listeria
- I have collaborated with the Organisms and Environment Research Division to explore the surface characteristics of plastics and examine their ability to act as mediums to deliver toxins into fish
- School of Dentistry to examine Oral progenitor cells and MCR antimicrobial resistance.
- I have collaborated with the University of Utrecht for 2 weeks to develop Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) as a tool to identify and study nanoplastics
Funding Successes
- I have been successful in obtaining a NERC grant for the study of plastic surfaces using PiFM, Electron Microscopy and XPS. This funding has allowed me to further advance my research on the degradation of plastics in the environment and understand the mechanisms behind it.
Teaching
CH5116 - Mathematical Methods for Chemistry
CH2301 - Training in Research Methods
MA0004 - Preliminary Mathematics II
Biography
As a surface scientist with a PhD in Chemistry from Cardiff University, I have dedicated my career to understanding the properties and behaviour of materials at the nanoscale. My expertise lies in using cutting-edge techniques such as Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) and Cryogenic X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to study complex samples, including biological and volatile systems.
I began my academic journey by earning a Master of Chemistry (2:1 Honours) from Cardiff University in 2016. My thesis, "Supported heterogeneous catalysts for three-component (A3) coupling reaction" was focused on the use of catalysts to upcycle waste products into chemicals that can be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's. This experience provided a strong foundation for my PhD research, which I completed in 2021 under the supervision of P.R. Davies and in partnership with Cotton Mutton Diagnostics Ltd. My thesis, "Controlling the Au/Iron Oxide interface to optimize plasmonic resonance for Magneto-Optic Diagnostics", focused on the development of magnetic nanoprobes for diagnosing diseases.
After completing my PhD, I started working as a Research Assistant at Harwell XPS, where I was responsible for the method development of Cryogenic X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) as a technique to measure organic and inorganic media. I also visited the University of Utrecht for 2 weeks to develop Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) as a tool to identify and study nanoplastics.
Currently, I am working as a postdoctoral research associate at the Cardiff Catalysis Institute, where I am responsible for the development of the institute's new nanospectroscopy lab. I am in charge of running Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) and Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) to study complex samples and understand the behaviour of materials at the nanoscale. I am also the Principal Investigator of the project 'Nanoplastic Pollution: Understanding the missing 99%', a collaboration between multiple stakeholders utilizing TERS, PiFM and Surface Spectroscopy to study the degradation of plastics.
Honours and awards
- Enriching Student Life Award finalist (2018)
- Best Presentation KESS annual meeting (2019)
- Speaking of Science Best Presentation Award (2017)
- EFCATS Catalyst Challenge UK selected finalist (2017)
- Three Minute Thesis Winner and People's Choice (2018)
Professional memberships
- Member of Royal Society of Chemistry
- Member of Microbiology Society
- Member UK Surface Analysis Federation
Academic positions
- 2020 - Present: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University
- 2020 - 2021: Chemistry Lecturer, Study Group (Cardiff University)
- 2020 - 2021: Research Assistant, Harwell XPS
- 2016 -2021: PhD in Chemistry, (Cardiff University)
- 2012- 2016: Master of Chemistry (2:1 Honours), Cardiff University