Chemical and process engineering

UC's chemical and process engineering researchers are involved in cutting-edge industries including pharmaceuticals, environmental management, energy production and management, waste processing, alternative fuel production, and nanotechnology. Current research includes novel emission control processes and control of dairy processes.

The Biomolecular Interactions Centre (BIC), founded at UC, is dedicated to the study of molecular interactions critical to biological functioning. BIC includes researchers from the Colleges of Science and Engineering and has a growing network of collaborators in New Zealand and internationally.

Research strengths

Biochemical processes

Areas of current research in biochemical processes include:

• Biofiltration
• Biomolecular interactions
• Microbial dynamics and control

Research centres and groups

• Biomolecular Interactions Centre

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Energy and fuel production

Areas of current research in energy and fuel production include:

• Methanol production
• Energy and water minimisation
• Hydrogen production
• Gasification and Pyrolysis
• Fuel cells and water electrolysis

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Catalysis

Areas of current research in catalysis include:

• Electrocatalysis
• Heterogenous catalysis

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Food process engineering

Areas of current research in food process engineering include:

• Membrane ultrafiltration
• Dairy process and Evaporator design
• Physical properties measurement

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Resources and environmental processes

Areas of current research in resources and environmental processes include:

• Novel emission control processes
• Sustainability 
• Water treatment
• Odour control

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Separation processes

Areas of current research in separation processes include:

• Membrane ultrafiltration
• Reactive distillation

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are:

Simulation, control and computer modelling

Areas of current research in simulation, control and computer modelling include:

• Computer aided process design
• Expert systems and neural networks
• Optimisation of methanol synthesis
• Control of dairy processes
• Process simulation of engineered wood products

Researchers and supervisors

Staff actively working in these areas are: