Dr Robert Edyvean
PhD, DipEd CEng FIM, FICorr, CBiol EurProBiol FIBiol
Deputy Head of Department
Biological and Environmental Systems Group
Tel: +44 (0)114 222 7506
Fax: +44 (0)114 222 7501
email : r.edyvean@sheffield.ac.uk
Biography
After graduating in Marine Biology and Zoology from UCNW Bangor and obtaining a MSC in Biodeterioration of Materials from Portsmouth (where my project study was on anaerobic digestion of industrial effluents), I was sponsored by BP for PhD studies on fouling and corrosion of offshore structures at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and it was here that I developed my interests into materials and chemical engineering with work on the electrochemistry of corrosion and corrosion-fatigue and problems in the filtration of seatwater and oil/water separation..
A two-year postdoctoral position at Newcastle, concentrating mostly on the study of filtration systems, was followed by a five-year Royal Society Sorby Research Fellowship in Engineering Materials at the University of Sheffield, working on environmentally assisted corrosion-fatigue. During this time I developed additional interests in industrial waste treatment, particularly the removal of metals from aqueous discharges. The fellowship was followed by a lectureship (subsequently Senior Lectureship) in Chemical Engineering at the University of Leeds, working on corrosion-fatigue and the interaction of metals with biological systems applied to industrial effluents, particularly bioadsorption, and, after seven years, a move back to Sheffield as a Reader in Chemical Engineering where I am now Deputy Head of Department.
Research Interests
My research interests are in the areas of biofilm/metal interactions, waste management and environmental protection:
- Bioadsorption processes
- Anaerobic/aerobic interactions
- Microbiologically influenced corrosion
- Corrosion/biofilms and quality in water systems
- Industrial waste-water treatment
- Industrial solid waste reduction and treatment
- Environmental policy
Current research projects
Optimisation of water treatment/distribution and conservation by Modelling and flow sheeting. Overseas studentship.
The development of novel biosorption systems. Several Government of Pakistan visiting Fellowships.
Mine waters and modelling of the Nottinghamshire coalfield. EPSRC.
Natural attenuation and remediation of polluted soils. Mexican and Libyan Government studentships and CMI project.
Modelling bacterial attachment to surfaces.
Anaerobic treatment of wastes.
Hazardous waste management.
Solid waste reduction in battery recycling industry (see DTI ZEE project).
De-leading and recycling of CRT glass.
Major UK programme on the Microbiology and Function of Biofilms in Groundwater.
The department of Chemical and Process Engineering is part of a major strategic development by the University of Sheffield to build a critical mass of research excellence in Cell-Mineral Interface Research.
This £1M programme, together with a £2.6M SRIF (Strategic Research Infrastructure Fund) spend in Environmental Engineering and in Nanotechnology, links strengths in Environmental Engineering Science to those in Surface Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Biological Imaging and Molecular Biology.
The programme is funded primarily by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with additional support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the University of Sheffield.
DTI ZEE (Zero Emission Enterprise) Project
The DTI (now BERR) is supporting a major project to develop a Zero Emission Enterprise demonstration in the recycling industry. Working with a large local recycling company we are developing ways to reduce all solid and liquid emissions to useful products and zero waste. This over £1M project is a true partnership between the investigations and laboratory experimental work (at the gram level) at the University, and the large scael testing and developing (at the multi tonne level) within industry.
See:
Technology Strategy Board, Technology Programme Project 21142
Working with vSMEs
Throughout my career I have worked alongside a number of very small companies (vSMEs). Such companies often have considerable difficulty accessing academic expertise and facilities, yet can benefit greatly from such support. Apart from direct interactions we have been able to use various EU, Government and regional funding (such as the ERDR funded WAMTEC in 1998) to help some 30 such companies in the last 10 years.
For an example of such a company see:
www.nulifeglass.com
Working with Visiting Academics and Students
My research group is markedly enhanced by high quality visiting researchers. These have come from all over Europe, South America, Pakistan and Malaysia.
The most recent visitors can be found here.
Publications
Publications list
Activities and Distinctions
- Deputy Head of Department
- Past President of The Institute of Corrosion
- Research Director of the University Spin-out company Bethan Technology Ltd.
- Chair of several ITA teaching quality visits (internal)
- Chair of several validation visits to external providers of University degree courses
- Member of various Senate sub Committee
- Member of Senate student review committee
- Reviewer of numerous Journal papers
- Reviewer of EU CRAFT and LIFE proposals
- Reviewer for the European Science Foundation, Singapore Government, Alberta Government and other research funders.
- Past External examiner of MSc in Environmental Engineering at the University of Leeds and of many PhD and MPhil degrees in the UK and Internationally.
Teaching
I teach in the areas of environment, biotechnology and corrosion/materials selection.
- CPE408/6080 - Environment - Liquid Effluents
- CPE414/6140 - Environmental Protection
- CPE417 - Environmental Issues
- MEng and EEE MSc research projects
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