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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. 

    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...

    Untangling Emissions: How The Chemical Industry Is Addressing Scope 3 Challenges

    Seán Ottewell
    May 24, 2023
    Faced with investor and activist pressure, the chemical industry has two challenges: calculating greenhouse gases in the supply chain and data collection

    Ball Mills Produce Photochemical Reactions

    Seán Ottewell
    May 22, 2023
    Researchers replaced the large volume of toxic solvents usually needed for light-driven chemical reactions with the mechanical energy in ball mills.

    EU Shares Roadmap to Harnessing Digital Technologies

    Seán Ottewell
    May 16, 2023
    The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and management consulting firm Arthur D Little share how the chemical industry can adopt digital technologies to create a circular...

    Novel Synthesis Method Speeds Sugar Selectivity

    Seán Ottewell
    April 21, 2023
    Researchers have improved the formose reaction, speeding up and improving the selectivity and yield of sugars made from formaldehyde.

    CFC Emissions See Mysterious Rise

    Seán Ottewell
    April 19, 2023
    A team of scientists found levels of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have mysteriously risen dramatically despite their global phase-out.

    Training on Digital Twins Reveals Performance Gaps, Opportunities

    Seán Ottewell
    April 17, 2023
    How Shell and other chemical process plants establish performance benchmarks and improve operations using 3D modeling

    The Path to More Consistent Material Sampling in Chemical Applications

    Seán Ottewell
    March 31, 2023
    A look at common material sampling problems and strategies to overcome them

    Researchers Use 3D Printing to Produce Single-Atom Catalysts

    Seán Ottewell
    March 24, 2023
    Using 3D printing, researchers in Australia have developed a novel technique to produce customized single-atom catalysts (SACs).

    Rotating Shifts Linked to Prostate Cancer

    Seán Ottewell
    March 14, 2023
    Researchers have found long-term exposure to rollover shift work is associated with an increased hazard of aggressive prostate cancer in offshore petroleum workers.

    Carbon Capture Conversion Unit Shows Promise

    Seán Ottewell
    Feb. 17, 2023
    Engineers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) create a novel device that combines a carbon capture system with an ethylene conversion system.

    Hydrogen Not the Answer in Net-Zero Emissions

    Seán Ottewell
    Feb. 10, 2023
    UK committee says hydrogen is not a panacea to pollution problems

    Conjure Machine Magic

    Seán Ottewell
    Feb. 1, 2023
    We examine how the digitalization of machine performance keeps chemical plants running during challenging times.