I joined Aston University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in 2013 and working in the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI). My research focuses on the development of chemical processes for biomass utilisation to value added chemical and fuels. This involves designing  solid catalysts to improve its efficiency in biofuel production/upgrading for sustainable chemical processing. My current research activities at EBRI is associated with kinetic studies on thermal decomposition of biomass and catalytic upgrading of pyrolysis oil.

Prior to my current position, I worked as a Research Associate at Cardiff University. I undertook my PhD entitled “Catalytic and Ion-exchange Applications of Layered Double Hydroxides” from Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), India, in 2012.

My research focuses on the development of heterogeneous catalysts for chemical processes and in particular on biomass utilisation to value added chemical and fuels.

Research interests lie in the following areas: 

• Biodiesel and biomass conversion
• Bio-oil upgrading reactions
• Kinetic and thermodynamic modelling of biomass decomposition
• Analytical methods for characterisation of chars, spent molten salts and bio-liquids.
• Tuning acid-base functionality of solid catalysts
• Catalyst designing (pore architecture, functionalities, hydrophobicity
• Structure-activity studies on catalytic materials
• Water remediation via ion-exchange of toxic anions 
• Nanomaterials
• Surface characterization techniques

• August 2019 and continuing : Research Associate at Aston University
• Sep 2013 to July 2019: Research Assistant at Aston University 
• Apr 2013 – Aug 2013: Research Assistant at Cardiff University
• Nov 2012 – Mar 2013: Guest Lecturer in Chemistry, Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur, Kerala, India
• Nov 2007 – Jun 2009: Project Assistant at Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSIR-CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India 

• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (PGCert), Aston University, 2016
• PhD in Chemistry, Bhavnagar University, India, 2012
• MTech, Industrial Catalysis (Distinction, second rank), Cochin University of Science and Technology,India, 2007 
• MSc, Polymer Chemistry (First Class) Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, 2004
• BSc, Polymer Chemistry (First Class), University of Calicut, Kerala, India

I am involved in the co-supervision of PhD, Masters, Bachelors, Erasmus students at Aston University, UK.

I have experience of lecturing and delivering tutorial/workshop classes (CH3010-Catalysis) at Aston University.

• Fellow of Higher Education Academy

1. “Tuning Catalyst Surfaces to Control Aldol Reactions in Biomass Conversion”, EPSRC-NSF funding, Apr 2013 - Aug 2016

2. “Sustainable green fuel and hydrocarbon production from non-food and waste Vietnamese Oil Seed Crops”, British Council Newton Institutional Links, Sept 2016 - Sept 2017

3. “Cascade processes for integrated bio-refining of agricultural waste in India and Vietnam”, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC GCRF), Sept 2017 - continuing

4. "Advanced Biomass Catalytic Conversion to Middle Distillates in Molten Salts — ABC-SALT", funded by EU's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme

Phone number: 0121 204 5119
Email: j.manayil@aston.ac.uk
Room number: EBG13