David Chadwick obtained his PhD in Chemistry from University College London. He then spent 2 years at the University of British Columbia as NATO fellow, before joined Imperial College Chemical Engineering in 1974.
His research is focussed on applied catalysis, catalytic reaction engineering and chemical process technology. This involves process concepts for improved atom economy, the development of industrially practical catalysts, the study and modelling of reaction kinetics in laboratory-scale catalytic reactors, and the understanding of catalyst deactivation processes. Key research themes are the conversion of bio-derived feedstocks to chemicals and fuels by hydrogenation, selective oxidation and dehydration, hydrogen production from light hydrocarbons and renewables, chemicals from synthesis gas and CO2 utilisation, fuel processing and carbon capture and storage. He was awarded the SOCSA prize for innovation in green chemistry (2000), the IChemE prize for innovation in applied catalysis (2001) and in 2008 he shared the Rushlight Carbon Capture and Storage Award.”