From left to right: Scott J. Doyle, Bartosz Kurjanski and Joe Armstrong

The University of Aberdeen has appointed three leading academics to help drive forward research linked to the energy transition, one of its five Interdisciplinary research challenges.

The Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IDR Fellows) appointed to the University’s Centre for Energy Transition bring a wealth of expertise in critical areas such as offshore wind infrastructure development, green hydrogen production, critical mineral extraction and nuclear fusion energy.

Their appointments bring the number of IDR Fellows at the Centre of Energy Transition to four, including Dr Kate Gormley whose work connects energy transition with the environment and biodiversity interdisciplinary challenge area.

The new appointments, who will begin later this year, are:

Dr Joe Armstrong
Dr Armstrong is a field geologist and geochemist whose research focuses on understanding critical mineral enrichments within the Earth’s crust – vital materials for the manufacture of low-carbon technologies for the energy transition. His research aims to form a holistic assessment of the feasibility and potential impact of critical mineral extraction in the UK, focusing on the social, environmental, economic, legal and technical implications.

Scott J. Doyle
Dr Doyle is a plasma physicist whose research concerns the development and use of numerical models capable of bridging the gap between low-temperature and high-temperature plasma science. He has published works in areas including electric propulsion, semiconductor manufacture, plasma-assisted chemical catalysis, and nuclear fusion. His current research focuses on plasma-assisted green hydrogen production for energy storage, commercial nuclear fusion energy, and in-situ resource utilisation.

Dr Bartosz Kurjanski
Dr Kurjanski has a keen interest in marine geoscience, planning, ground modelling as well as geohazard assessment for offshore infrastructure developments with a particular focus on offshore wind. He specialises in understanding of glaciogenic landforms and sediments and their interpretation from ultra-high resolution seismic data (2D and 3D). He is also involved in research addressing the issues of seabed sediment mobility, submerged peats and organic rich sediments, and impact of relic glaciogenic landforms on HVDC cable routing.

Welcoming the appointments, John Underhill, Director of the University’s Centre for Energy Transition, commented:
“Joe, Scott and Bartek’s interests cover crucial areas that are integral to accelerating the energy transition, decarbonising energy systems and meeting net zero emission targets, and I look forward to working with them and our existing Centre of Energy Transition Interdisciplinary Fellow, Dr Kate Gormley, as part of this effort.

“Their appointments bring the number of IDR Fellows at the University to 14 across our five interdisciplinary challenge areas, while underlining the CET’s commitment to tackling one of the biggest research challenges of our time.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: University of Aberdeen