CHEMMAT GOLD 1967-2017: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INNOVATION 8 OCTOBER 2016 Experimental setup for gas absorption/ stripping in the lab in the early 1970s Current food process engineering pilot plant at the University of Auckland CHEMMAT Gold Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering (CHEMMAT) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary on Friday, 17 February 2017. If you are an alumnus of the department, we would love to see you The day will include memories and talks from alumni from all the decades, as well as an opportunity to hear about the exciting research being undertaken in the department. Register at engineering.auckland.ac.nz/chemmatgold FT179 The University of Auckland’s Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering (CHEMMAT) is unique, both as an academic body and degree. It is one of the few of its kind in the world that has throughout its history made a significant impact on the food industry in New Zealand and beyond. CHEMMAT’s research concentrations evolved along with history. It produced its first graduates in 1969, focusing primarily on traditional metallic materials and processing such as aluminium and steel. Subsequently confronted by an era of change, new awakenings and an innovationdriven economy, it engaged with projects associated with New Zealand’s dramatic economic structural changes, such as Think Big and Rogernomics by 1980. New policies brought a wave of capitalist and neoliberal economies, leading to a focus on energy and supporting economic development. What remained consistent throughout the decades was CHEMMAT’s dedication to the innovative spirit, allowing it to contribute to the University’s reputation as a leading provider of research excellence to both industry and society. The advent of the digital age in the 1990s, the prospects of climate change in the 2000s, and the increasing effects of globalisation throughout the decades had major impacts on graduates and curriculum. CHEMMAT’s current research extends to non-metallic materials, food, biomaterials and processes. Highlights include significant work in non-thermal processing for better microbiological control, and its patented technology has since been used for pasteurising beer, earning a nomination at the 2016 Food and Drink IChemE Global Awards. Real-time quality estimation tools that can lead to better dairy process control are being developed, marking CHEMMAT’s ample contribution to one of New Zealand’s most significant export industries. The department is additionally recognised for examining the influences of dairy food structure and composition on functionalities of products such as mozzarella. This is part of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain Primary Growth Partnership programme, a sevenyear, $170 million innovation initiative led by commercial stakeholders, including DairyNZ and Fonterra, in partnership with the Ministry of Primary Industries. CHEMMAT is now looking forward to celebrating 50 years with a programme of discussions on how it has endured and thrived, along with how it can respond to the political, economic and cultural challenges of the past, present and future. All CHEMMAT alumni are warmly invited to this special event on February 17, 2017. Register now at: www.engineering.auckland.ac.nz/chemmatgold
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