Andy Wain

Andy leads NPL’s Analytical Electrochemistry theme, developing and applying advanced measurement approaches that support innovation in electrochemical technologies. His work brings together chemical, structural and electrochemical characterisation to provide insight into functional materials and interfaces across energy, catalysis and sensing.

Biography

Andy received his MChem in Chemistry (2003) and DPhil (2006) from the University of Oxford, where his doctoral research focused on electrochemical electron spin resonance spectroscopy. He subsequently spent two years as a postdoctoral research associate at California State University, Los Angeles, developing novel electrochemical methods for studying biomolecule-modified interfaces. In 2008 Andy took up a position in the Electrochemistry Group at NPL.

Andy is an internationally recognised expert in analytical science and electrochemistry, with over 75 peer-reviewed publications, three book chapters and an edited volume on Nanoscale Electrochemistry. His contributions to electrochemical measurement science have been recognised through Chartered Chemist status and Fellowships of both the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining.

Areas of Interest

Andy’s scientific interests focus on understanding electrochemical materials and interfaces that underpin technologies including batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers, catalysis and sensors. His work develops experimental methodologies that reveal how materials operate, evolve and degrade under realistic conditions, providing the evidence needed to improve performance, durability and sustainability.

At NPL, Andy has built leading capabilities in electrochemical imaging and vibrational spectroelectrochemistry, including in situ and operando FTIR and Raman methods. A major aspect of this work has been establishing best practice for the application of advanced methodologies, improving the repeatability, reproducibility and validity of measurements. Together, these capabilities support robust structural and chemical characterisation of electrochemical systems, helping academic and industrial partners address complex measurement challenges in emerging technologies.

Selected publications

1. “Nanoscale chemical analysis of heterogeneous catalysts using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy”, N. Kumar, L.-Q. Zheng, A. J. Pollard, A. J. Wain and R. Zenobi, Chem. Rev. 126, 2653–2677 (2026).
2. “Designing realistic operando Raman battery experiments: examining measurement validity and spatial inhomogeneities”, R. N. Samajdar, Y. Zhou, O. Rodríguez, J. Lazumi, N. Vuriti, T. Clark, M. Winter, S. Nowak, S. Risse, I. S. Gilmore and A. J. Wain, Chem. Mater. 38, 782–790 (2026).
3. “Monitoring carbonate and bicarbonate within an anion exchange membrane during self-purge using infrared spectroelectrochemistry”, A. J. Wain and G. T. Smith, ACS Electrochemistry 1, 1794–1802 (2025).
4. “Differentiating between ion transport and plating–stripping phenomena in magnesium battery electrolytes using operando Raman spectroscopy”, R. N. Samajdar, S. Marchesini, S. A. Brown, S. D. Robertson, K. R. Paton, A. J. Pollard and A. J. Wain, ACS Energy Lett. 8, 1864–1869 (2023).
5. “Improved operando Raman cell configuration for commercially sourced electrodes in alkali-ion batteries”, T. E. Rosser, E. J. F. Dickinson, R. Raccichini, K. Hunter, A. D. Searle, C. M. Kavanagh, P. J. Curran, G. Hinds, J. Park and A. J. Wain, J. Electrochem. Soc. 168, 070541 (2021).
6. Nanoscale Electrochemistry, A. J. Wain and E. J. F. Dickinson, eds., Elsevier (2021).
7. “Nanoscale chemical imaging using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy”, N. Kumar, B. M. Weckhuysen, A. J. Wain and A. J. Pollard, Nature Protocols 14, 1169–1193 (2019).
8. “Insights into self-poisoning during catalytic hydrogenation on platinum surfaces using ATR-IR spectroelectrochemistry”, A. J. Wain, M. A. O’Connell and G. Attard, ACS Catal. 8, 3561–3570 (2018).