The Centre conducts world-leading multidisciplinary, cross-agency research into industrial microwave technologies across fields as diverse as food, fuel and energy, minerals processing, pharmaceuticals and recycling.
Expertise in the Centre spans process engineering, electrical and microwave engineering and materials handling. Research, based on a fundamental understanding of the interaction between microwave energy and materials, leads to the development of sustainable energy efficient products, processes and services.
Researchers have access to world-class laboratories and the latest equipment as well as advanced computing resources. Strong links to global industry, government departments and other institutions world-wide give rise to exciting collaborative ventures.
Research in this area covers almost every aspect of chemical and environmental engineering, from the energy and mining industries to pharmaceutical processing, and product design to recycling.
Current studies span the full range of scales, from the microscopic to the practical design of large-scale industrial processes. Systems and materials studied include suspensions of nanoparticles, multiphase mixtures of liquids and gases, minerals and product waste.
Researchers have access to high performance computer systems as well as cutting-edge experimental laboratories, and have the opportunity to undertake challenging projects with colleagues from other leading research groups and industry partners world-wide.
Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Group
The group specialises in applying fundamental discoveries in the biosciences and chemistry to develop products, materials and processes of the future. We specialise in developing innovative processes and materials to exploit renewable feedstocks.
Our research interests include:
- production of chemicals, materials, nanoparticles and biofuels from renewable feedstocks
- applied biocatalysis using whole microbial cells and isolated enzymes
- integrated bio- and chemocatalysis
- bioreaction engineering
- bioprocessing
The group is funded by the UK Research Councils and Industry, and has superb, newly equipped laboratories. The group is truly interdisciplinary (engineering, biology, chemistry, materials science), and collaborates with internationally leading groups in the UK, Europe and the USA.