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    • Seán Ottewell

    Ottewell Headshot
    Editor-at-Large

    Seán Crevan Ottewell is Chemical Processing's Editor-at-Large. Seán earned his bachelor's of science degree in biochemistry at the University of Warwick and his master's in radiation biochemistry at the University of London. He served as Science Officer with the UK Department of Environment’s Chernobyl Monitoring Unit’s Food Science Radiation Unit, London. His editorial background includes assistant editor, news editor and then editor of The Chemical Engineer, the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ twice monthly technical journal. Prior to joining Chemical Processing in 2012 he was editor of European Chemical Engineer, European Process Engineer, International Power Engineer, and European Laboratory Scientist, with Setform Limited, London.

    He is based in East Mayo, Republic of Ireland, where he and his wife Suzi (a maths, biology and chemistry teacher) host guests from all over the world at their holiday cottage in East Mayo. 

    ShadowBox KO’s Chemical Operator Skills Gaps

    Seán Ottewell
    March 27, 2024
    Harnessing the role of cognitive skills in training helps capture knowledge.

    In Process: Novel Method Speeds Glycerol Carbonate Production

    Seán Ottewell
    March 26, 2024
    New approach combines glycerol and carbon dioxide under mesofluidic conditions to generate a faster, more cost-effective alternative to current glycerol carbonate production methods...

    Discovery: Using Compound Adhesives, Neanderthals Were Smarter Than We Thought

    Seán Ottewell
    March 25, 2024
    Today's multi-billion-dollar adhesives industry can be traced back more than 50,000 years to Neanderthals first using multicomponent adhesives to make tools.

    Bioplastics Boom: Certifications Rise, Regulations Loom

    Seán Ottewell
    March 1, 2024
    How BASF, Lubrizol, NatureWorks and others navigate growth in the era of sustainable chemistry

    Benign, Solventless Process Depolymerizes Nylon-6

    Seán Ottewell
    Feb. 21, 2024
    Approach could play a part in environmental remediation and upcycling Nylon-6 wastes into higher-value products.

    From Face Masks to Hydrogen-Rich Syngas

    Seán Ottewell
    Feb. 14, 2024
    An excess of single-use PPE waste from COVID-19 has researchers trying to find ways to convert biomedical waste to useful material.

    Sustainability: Chemical Clusters Drive Green Hydrogen, Carbon Capture and Circular Economy Solutions

    Seán Ottewell
    Jan. 30, 2024
    BASF's Verbund concept integrates production, energy and logistics for sustainable growth. Similar initiatives emerge globally, enhancing collaboration for sustainability.

    Taking the Pain Out of Recycling Polyurethanes

    Seán Ottewell
    Jan. 26, 2024
    A new CO2-based method makes polyurethane-based plastics that are easy to recycle.

    Innovative Reactors Show Promise for Chemical Industry

    Seán Ottewell
    Jan. 23, 2024
    Already proven in drug manufacturing, new developments could improve efficiencies, performance for chemical applications.

    How Scientists Identify a Wine’s Chemical Signature

    Seán Ottewell
    Jan. 17, 2024
    A novel method of gas chromatography and machine learning pinpoints the exact region where a vintage originated, rivaling that of human wine tasters.

    Oscillations Govern Fischer-Tropsch Rate and Yield

    Seán Ottewell
    Jan. 2, 2024
    Researchers discovered the catalytic reaction at the heart of the more than 100-year-old process doesn’t have one steady state but rather undergoes self-sustained oscillations...

    “Polluter Pays Principle” Challenged in EU Study

    Seán Ottewell
    Jan. 2, 2024
    Authors of a European Union study suggest a hybrid approach to handling efficient removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater.

    Three Cheers for 2023 Vaaler Victors

    Seán Ottewell
    Nov. 28, 2023
    Three Ohio-based companies earned accolades for enhancing safety and efficiency

    Ultra-thin MOF Membrane Achieves Record Hydrogen-Nitrogen Separation

    Seán Ottewell
    Nov. 3, 2023
    Method improves both hydrogen flux and selectivity, holding immense potential for highly efficient gas-separation applications, say the researchers.

    Catalyst Breakthroughs: Transforming Plastics and Photocatalysis

    Seán Ottewell
    Oct. 24, 2023
    The latest catalyst research looks to address plastic waste and renewable energy challenges.

    Researchers Tackle Back-Biting During Silicone Synthesis

    Seán Ottewell
    Oct. 23, 2023
    Silicone can generate endocrine-disrupting impurities, and researchers may have found a way to prevent them from forming during mass production.

    Memories Revived of Fatal 1992 Hickson and Welch Blast

    Seán Ottewell
    Oct. 17, 2023
    After seeing recent pictures of an abandoned Hickson and Welch plant, Seán Ottewell recalls the fatal explosion that occurred there in 1992, and the impactful report that followed...

    Modularization Standards and Adoption Make Strides

    Seán Ottewell
    Sept. 26, 2023
    New guidelines and collaborations pave the way for industry transformation

    Radar Reveals New Insights into Fluidized Bed Function

    Seán Ottewell
    Sept. 22, 2023
    Researchers in Sweden developed a high-frequency radar technique that shows how solids move in a fluidized bed in real-time.

    REACH Animal Tests Could Top 11 Million

    Seán Ottewell
    Sept. 20, 2023
    Study reveals hazard assessment tests performed on animals continue and animal-free, alternative test methods are rarely used.

    Kousi Advocates for Women in STEM

    Seán Ottewell
    Aug. 25, 2023
    Dr. Kelly Kousi passionately advocates for more women in STEM roles, joining the Greek Women in STEM organization to mentor both men and women. She was recently named a finalist...

    Chemical Industry Embraces Edge Computing

    Seán Ottewell
    Aug. 22, 2023
    Challenges persist due to complex hardware and software ecosystems, but overcoming them can unlock the IoT technology’s potential.

    Novel Material Converts CO2 Into Green Fuels

    Seán Ottewell
    Aug. 18, 2023
    The carbon capture and conversion process uses a switchable dual-function material consisting of nanoparticles to perform reactions.

    Chemical Processing Book Club: 'The Exceptions'

    Seán Ottewell
    Aug. 4, 2023
    CP's editor-at-large says his anger and frustration grew with each page because so many talented scientists never had the opportunity to achieve their potential.

    Visualize Virtual Reality Blessings and Burdens

    Seán Ottewell
    Aug. 2, 2023
    Careful consideration of training objectives and challenges is necessary to maximize the benefits of virtual reality technology.

    Catalyst Converts Methane To Formaldehyde

    Seán Ottewell
    July 21, 2023
    Researchers from leading institutions collaborate on a dual-active site catalyst comprising copper and tungsten, which enables an efficient and selective conversion process and...

    U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile Nears End

    Seán Ottewell
    July 19, 2023
    Two sites have been tasked with destroying chemical agents, including mustard gas, by Sept. 30 of this year.

    Satellites and Robot Dogs Tackle Fugitive Emissions

    Seán Ottewell
    June 28, 2023
    Technologies aim to improve emissions detection, reduce risks to workers and enhance environmental monitoring in the chemical industry.

    Bio-Route Cracks Carbene Chemistry

    Seán Ottewell
    June 14, 2023
    Environmentally friendly process could lead to the sustainable production of bioactive compounds and advanced biofuels.

    Electrochemical Researcher Investigates AI to Advance Clean Energy

    Seán Ottewell
    June 13, 2023
    With the rise of AI and digital technologies, one researcher believes the future of chemical engineering and clean energy largely relies on electrochemistry and electrochemical...