Dr. Maxim Dickieson received his PhD. in chemical engineering under the supervision of Professor Yan Ning (NUS) earlier this year, and is now working alongside Professor Yan to commercialize biomass fractionation deep-tech. He has experience in green catalysis research for waste-to-value; more specifically, his thesis focused on CO2 hydrogenation to methanol (carbon capture and utilization), and his start-up journey currently focuses on sustainable and cost-effective biomass utilization, which will be the focus of this discussion.

In this episode, we break down the science of catalysis and use Max’s research as a gateway into the larger world of green chemistry and its real-world impact. We also dive into his journey from Las Vegas to the “Lab Vegas” of advanced materials — a bet not on luck, but on science — and explore what it really means to be a working scientist in today’s climate crisis. For anyone curious about how science turns climate risk into industrial opportunity, this is your crash course.

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:05:42) Choosing a Career in Science
(00:09:04) Motivation and Scientist Ethos
(00:13:46) Understanding Green Chemistry
(00:19:13) Challenges in Adopting Green Technologies
(00:29:45) Promising Green Technologies and Innovations
(00:36:13) Biomass Refinery
(00:44:39) Sourcing Chitin from Shell Waste
(00:46:18) Technological Differentiators and Market Positioning
(00:55:27) Scaling Up Production
(00:58:43) Challenges and Strategies in Commercialization
(01:11:38) Future Vision

Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent personal project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any employer or organization. All views expressed are solely those of the host and guests. The content is for information and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax, or professional advice. The host, guests, and associated parties assume no liability for any actions taken based on this content.