Dr Thomas Farmer
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Green Chemistry Associate Tel: + 44 (0) 1904 324547 Address: |
Tom completed his PhD at the University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence in 2008, under the supervision of Prof. James Clark and Dr Duncan Macquarrie. His project looked at the utilisation of biomass derived building block chemicals (“bio-platform molecules”) for the production of higher value chemicals and materials, specifically focusing on generating water-soluble polymers for use in Home and Personal Care products. Following his PhD Tom joined Unilever PLC as Polymer Scientist, working at the Home and Personal Care Research and Development Site at Port Sunlight. After a year at Port Sunlight Tom joined Prof Chris Rayner’s and Dr Richard Blackburn’s groups at the University of Leeds, working as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow on the extraction and formulation of Hair and Skin care agents from Shetland Isles seaweed. In January 2011 Tom re-joined the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence and is currently investigating the application of various Clean Synthesis techniques for the conversion of bio-platform molecules to monomers for polyester formation.
Tom has experience in the application and development of several Clean Synthesis techniques, including:
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- Microwave activation
- Reactions assisted by ultrasound
- Alternative solvents (scCO2, water, glycerol, solvent-less reactions)
Tom has published articles on the integration of Green Chemistry into biorefineries (see: BioFPR, 2009, 1, p71), and the on the Clean Synthesis conversion of bio-platform molecules to higher value chemicals (see: ChemSusChem, 2009, 11, p1025).