Gareth Haslam

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Classic Van Der Graaf Generator Shot at the Toshiba Science Museum

I finished my PhD last June which was focused on developing new electrocatalysts for use in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCV). FCV are one possible technology that could be very useful in tackling CO2 emissions and air pollution in the transport sector as they convert hydrogen fuel to electricity directly rather than combusting fossil fuels, emitting only water. Whilst they have a number of challenges to overcome, I was looking at how to replace the expensive platinum electrocatalyst which is currently an essential component. This work was carried out at the Dept. of Materials Science at the University of Cambridge, UK. I have previously received a BSc Physics from the University of Durham, UK, and an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development, also at the University of Cambridge. Whilst my background is more experimentally-based, I am keen to learn more about how complexity approaches may be used in materials discovery, at the micro-level, and in promoting technology innovation and alternative energy systems, at the macro-level.

After finishing my PhD, I spent two months at the University of Tokyo at the Dept. of Complexity Science, with the 2011 JSPS Summer Program (known as EAPSI in the US). I am now working as a postdoc at the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies in Yokohama, Japan where I am trying to bring a technical perspective to science and innovation policy. I have done some preliminary research looking at how patent and publication data can be used as an indicator for fuel cell innovation and would like to expand that to look at social interactions between scientists, companies, institutes etc. Another interesting area might involve agent-based modelling to see the effect of different policies on improving the rate of technical progress/innovation. I am hoping that some of the ideas and experiences at the Santa Fe CSSS will provide new jumping-off points for further research once this position finishes in September 2012. I am excited and enthusiastic to meet everyone on the course, whether your interests are in energy, climate change, international development, science policy or anything else!