Strathclyde has a particular interest in developing new technologies for bioprocessing, and has research programmes looking at bioprocess monitoring and control using near and mid infrared technologies, as well as microbial physiology.
The biomolecular engineering department is already working with GlaxoSmithKline on a £2.4m research programme looking at applying process analytical technologies (PAT) to biopharmaceuticals development, and has developed links with the UK's National Biomanufacturing Centre in Liverpool, looking at using spectroscopic technologies to guide scale translation.
Meanwhile, the University of Nottingham has also opened new facilities for the study of chemical engineering.
The new department in Nottingham will promote study into 'clean and green' chemistry and engineering and help to bridge the gap between chemistry and chemical engineering. The research facility, called 'Driving Innovation in Chemistry and Engineering' (DICE), has already received around £3.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and will help to develop sustainable technologies and promote awareness of the same among young people.
DICE will aim to promote research in green chemistry/green engineering areas, efficient use of energy, safer chemical products, renewable raw materials, and 'zero-waste' processes to deliver new science and new technology.
Research areas will include new chemical reactions and catalysts, renewable raw materials for use in chemical processes, safer chemical products, new reactor concepts, including structured reactors, multi-functional reactors, across scales from micro to commercial plant, and process analytics and control.
UK chemical engineering 'in good shape'
Chemical engineering is a growing area across the world with more and more petrochemical facilities and chemical plants being constructed to serve the growing need for raw materials in the new Asian manufacturing centres such as China and India.
There is at the current time a growing demand for highly qualified chemical engineers and this has filtered down to UK universities where the demand for places is increasing to record levels. UCAS 2007 figures confirm that admissions of chemical engineering undergraduates have increased by 40 per cent over the last six years.
Dr Carl Schaschke of Strathclyde, commented: "The upturn in interest in chemical engineering nationally is a reflection of both the changing role and unique skills of the chemical engineer. Now, more than at any time in the past, chemical engineers are central to meeting societal needs."
"This new lab will help us to further expand our advanced research capacity and will have a pivotal role in developing the next generation of engineers," he added.
