Research
In the national research assessment (RAE, Dec 2008) staff of the Chemical and Biological Process Engineering discipline, as part of the Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, were recognised as internationally leading researchers when we came 5th in the UK (out of 56) within the General Engineering category. We chose to be assessed as part of General Engineering to reflect the interdisciplinary research that the discipline’s staff undertake. An approach that is recognised as essential for 21st century chemical and biochemical engineering.The research centres associated with Chemical and Biological Process Engineering are the Centre for Complex Fluids Processing, the Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre and the Centre For NanoHealth. Students are given the opportunity to complete research projects within these centres, however there are opportunities to conduct research projects in any part of the School of Engineering. We highlight below some of the research that the Staff of the discipline are engaged in.
The research centres have extensive experimental and theoretical expertise and are well endowed with state-of-the-art equipment. The Centres are especially expert in six areas which are readily applicable to the industrial career of our graduates.
Membrane separation processes
These are the most important modern developments within Chemical and Biochemical engineering. We are recognized as internationally leading exponents in the development of quantitative methods for the prediction of the industrial performance of such processes (microfiltration, ultrafiltration and nanofiltration). Markets include food, bioscience, environment and pharmaceuticals.
Bioprocess Engineering
The successful scale-up and exploitation of recent developments in biotechnology depends of the effective operation of bioreactors and the efficient recovery and separation of the desired products. Such biological materials are extremely complex in composition and physical properties and their processing is a key feature of our work.
Biomedical Engineering
Developments in the past four years have seen the emergence of Biomedical Engineering as a major new area of expertise. Our expertise in rheology has been applied to blood coagulation forging a substantial collaboration with the NHS. The significance of haemorheology combined with our research into developing biomaterials for implantation and wound healing has led to projects with a spin-in company (Haemair Ltd) and the development of a new laboratory based at the NHS Hospital at Morriston. We are also working in the field of tissue engineering and health diagnostics.This new avenue of expertise, knowledge and resources represent a major new range of opportunities for the NHS, medical devices and pharmaceutical industry.
Environmental Technology
Environmental and process engineering issues are relevant to a multitude of industries. Our research focuses upon wastewater treatment, landfill, aquaculture (fish farms) and waste management. We also have a research initiative with colleagues from Geography examining the physical and chemical properties of soils and how this relates to drought and the soils interaction with water.
Fluidics
Our expertise in rheology and cavitation has been applied towards the food and process industries where understanding the fluid dynamics and flow properties of materials is essential if the processing is to be effective and efficient.
