Tara Lee Congo

I oversee the day-to-day operation and upkeep of the Hultgren Laboratory, a leading materials characterisation facility within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. We support both academic research and commercial R&D by providing access to a broad range of advanced instrumentation.

As a Research Engineer, my role includes ensuring all equipment operates reliably, supporting users in their experimental work, troubleshooting technical issues, and developing procedures that promote safe, efficient use of the facilities. I’m passionate about enabling high-quality research and fostering a collaborative, well-functioning lab environment for users from diverse scientific backgrounds.

My earlier post-doctoral research explored the fundamental behaviour of coking coals and the use of environmentally sustainable additives for bio-coke production, with the aim of reducing the fossil-carbon footprint of the steel-making industry. I primarily used the techniques of optical microscopy, rheometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and small-angle X-ray scattering to investigate the composition, thermoplastic properties, volatile release behaviour and pore structure of coals and biomass materials.