IChemE announce Global Awards 2016 finalists

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) has officially announced the finalists for the IChemE Global Awards 2016. Over 120 entries from 26 countries have made it to the final stages of the Awards. The winners of each of the 16 categories and the overall winner for outstanding chemical engineering project will be revealed on 3 November 2016 in Manchester, UK.

The IChemE Global Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and achievement in the chemical, process and biochemical industries. Last year, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory walked away with the top prize for their novel fracturing fluid, designed to make fracking more environmentally-friendly.

The Awards attracted nearly 500 applications this year, a record number of entries since the Awards started in 1994. Successful organisations in the final stage include; Amec Foster Wheeler, Aqua Metals, BP, Chevron, DB Breweries, DEKRA Insight, Emerson, Ferrari, Folia Water, George Washington University, International Centre for Advanced Materials, Johnson Matthey, Loughborough University, National Nuclear Laboratory, Recycling Technologies, Sellafield, Shell, and many more.

Two new awards have also been introduced for 2016. The Biotechnology Award recognises achievements across a variety of bio sectors including biomedical, bioenergy and biochemical. Team of the Year recognises a chemical engineering team that has demonstrated excellence in developing initiatives, products, projects or services.

The IChemE Global Awards take place on 3 November 2016, at The Palace Hotel in Manchester, UK. The ceremony is one of three international events organised by IChemE to celebrate chemical engineering achievements. Other events include the IChemE Singapore Awards (21 October 2016) and the IChemE Malaysia Awards (24 October 2016).

British TV and radio broadcaster Adrian Chiles is set to host this year’s ceremony. The BBC presenter and former football host will announce winners from all 17 award categories, including the overall Award for Outstanding Achievement in Chemical and Process Engineering.

IChemE’s Interim CEO, Justin Blades, said:

“I’m delighted to see even more exciting, innovative and ground-breaking entries make the final stage of this year’s IChemE Global Awards. To celebrate chemical engineering achievements across so many countries is a real privilege, and I would like to thank everyone who submitted their applications.

This was a tough job for our judges. There are fantastic developments being made by chemical engineers every day, so picking the best projects is a difficult task. I’d like to thank them for their continued co-operation and detailed critiques, and well done to those who made the finals stage – you should all be incredibly proud.

The IChemE Awards proves that chemical engineering matters, and on behalf of IChemE and our fantastic sponsors, I would like to say congratulations to everyone and we look forward to seeing you on 3 November in Manchester.”

Those looking to find out more about the IChemE Global Awards should visit www.icheme.org/globalawards.

The event is supported by ABB, AstraZeneca, BCECA, Bouygues Energies & Services, Costain, ExxonMobil, GSK, Jacobs, Morgan Sindall, NES Global Talent, Otto Simon, PM Group, Rolls Royce, Shell, and Simon Carves Engineering.

Official Finalists for the IChemE Global Awards 2016 (in alphabetical order)

Best Business Start-Up Award

  • Recycling Technologies, UK
  • Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd, UK
  • MOF Technologies Ltd, UK
  • OMass Technologies Ltd, UK
  • CHAIN Biotechnology Ltd, UK
  • Avertana, New Zealand
  • JustMilk, USA
  • ALUSID, UK

Biotechnology Award sponsored by Shell

  • Prostate cancer diagnosis smart technology, University of Birmingham, UK
  • Fast-killing and non-toxic antimicrobial materials,           Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore
  • Light-activated synthetic tissues,           University of Oxford, UK
  • Ultrasensitive microfluidic technology for profiling epigenomes, Virginia Tech, USA
  • Inflammation targeting nano-capsule technology, University of California, San Diego, USA
  • Self-assembled enzyme nanoparticles as reusable biocatalysts, Monash University, Australia
  • Standard Disposables Design™, PM Group, Republic of Ireland
  • cGMP manufacture of high potency biologics, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, UK
  • Anticancer mechanism of wasp venom peptide, University of Leeds, Sao Paulo State University, UK/Brazil
  • The power of miniaturisation and smartphone diagnostics, Loughborough University, University of Reading, Capillary Film Technology Ltd, University of Cambridge, Lamina Dielectrics Ltd, UK

Energy Award sponsored by Rolls-Royce

  • Chuandongbei project addresses sour gas challenge, Senscient Ltd, Chevron, China National Petroleum Corporation,            UK/USA/China
  • Self-heating lithium-ion battery, Pennsylvania State University, EC Power, USA/Denmark
  • Low carbon coal-to-H2 process, University of Edinburgh, UK
  • High design strength insulating glass sealant, Dow Corning Corporation, Belgium
  • Novel enzymes for biomass conversion, University of York, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Aix-Marseille Université, UK/France
  • The not so big bang theory, Sellafield Ltd, National Nuclear Laboratory Ltd, UK
  • Waste derived green methanol, Cardiff University, Greenergy International Ltd, UK
  • The Shell concept car, Shell International Ltd, Geo Technology SA, Gordon Murray Design, Shell Projects & Technology, UK/Switzerland
  • Greener energy, London South Bank University, UK
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)

Food and Drink Award sponsored by PM Group

  • Structuring healthier bread, National University of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences, Singapore
  • Vodka and gin distillery in Caithness, Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd, UK
  • Emerging non-thermal technologies to pasteurise beer, University of Auckland, DB Breweries, New Zealand
  • Vegetable oil purification, Green Lizard Technologies Ltd, Evonik Industries AG, FGV Applied Technologies Sdn Bhd, UK/Germany/Malaysia

Industry Project Award sponsored by Sellafield Ltd

  • Gas heated reformer development and commercialisation, Johnson Matthey, UK
  • Value-added chemicals from glycerol feedstock, Green Lizard Technologies Ltd, Felda Global Ventures, Yashentech, Saturn Methanol, Ferrostaal, UK/China/Malaysia
  • Determining anti-knock in fuels, Shell Projects & Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Ferrari S.p.A., UK/Germany/Italy
  • KHI removal from produced waters, Hydrafact Ltd, UK
  • cGMP manufacture of high potency biologics, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, UK
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

Innovative Product Award sponsored by AstraZeneca

  • Epicerol® – bio-based epichlorohydrin derived from glycerol, Solvay, Belgium
  • Clean, green MOF production, MOF Technologies Ltd, UK
  • A risk atlas for metals pitting, University of Adelaide, Australia
  • Development of chemically stabilized rubber bitumen, MOL Plc, University of Pannonia, Hungary
  • Bubbleless aeration, OxyMem Ltd, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland
  • DNA-based tracing technology, Haelixa GmbH, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • ACCUTRACE and calidus fuel fraud prevention, Dow Chemical Company, Falcon Analytical, USA
  • Clean lead for the battery age, Aqua Metals, USA

Oil and Gas Award sponsored by Jacobs

  • Autonomous detection of damage in coatings, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, International Centre for Advanced Materials, BP,  USA/UK
  • DNA-based tracing technology, Haelixa GmbH, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • Sectioning of injectors to study deposits, Shell Projects & Technology, UK
  • Wear-resistant materials by self adaptation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, International Centre for Advanced Materials, BP USA/UK
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

Process Safety Award sponsored by ABB Consulting

  • Dust explosion risk reduction tool kit, BPE Design and Support, UK
  • Chuandongbei project addresses sour gas challenge, Senscient Ltd, Chevron, China National Petroleum Corporation, UK/USA/China
  • Woodside process safety: the holistic approach, Woodside Energy Ltd, Australia
  • Centrica’s process safety task force, Centrica Plc, UK
  • The not so big bang theory, Sellafield Ltd, National Nuclear Laboratory Ltd, UK
  • Safe and economic operation of CCS, University College London, CANMET Energy, Bundesanstalt Fuer Geowissenschaften Und Rohstoffe, Dalian University of Technology, Environmental & Water Resources Engineering Ltd, Gexcon, Health and Safety Laboratory, Institut National de l’Environnement et des Risques, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, National Research Center for Physical Sciences, Onderzoekscentrum Voor Aanwending Van Staal NV, University of Leeds, Uppsala Universitet, UK/Canada/Germany/China/Israel/Norway/France/Greece/Belgium/Sweden
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

Research Project Award sponsored by Simon Carves Engineering

  • Prostate cancer diagnosis smart technology, University of Birmingham, UK
  • Fast-killing and non-toxic antimicrobial materials, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Singapore
  • Diamonds from the sky, George Washington University, USA
  • Inflammation targeting nano-capsule technology, University of California, San Diego, USA
  • Nanocarriers and ultrasound in cancer treatment, American University of Sharjah, Brigham Young University, UAE/USA
  • Autonomous detection of damage in coatings, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, International Centre for Advanced Materials, BP, USA/UK
  • Wear-resistant materials by self adaptation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, International Centre for Advanced Materials, BP, USA/UK
  • Thermal treatment of irradiated graphite, Costain, University of Manchester, MDecon Ltd, Tetronics International Ltd, UK
  • Condensation on slippery asymmetric bumps, Harvard University          , USA
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)

Resource-Poor Technology Award

  • Skin adhesive sensors for tuberculosis detection, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
  • Cost effective laterite based arsenic filter, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
  • The drinkable book, Folia Water, Inc., USA
  • Converting food waste to valuable product, TerraServ (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
  • The power of miniaturisation and smartphone diagnostics, Loughborough University, University of Reading, Capillary Film Technology Ltd, University of Cambridge, Lamina Dielectrics Ltd, UK
  • Medication delivery during breastfeeding, JustMilk, USA
  • Greener energy, London South Bank University, UK

Sustainable Technology Award sponsored by Costain

  • Diamonds from the sky, George Washington University, USA
  • Innovative lamella dissolved air flotation unit, Jacobs UK Ltd, United Utilities, UK
  • Epicerol® – bio-based epichlorohydrin derived from glycerol, Solvay, Belgium
  • Development of chemically stabilized rubber bitumen, MOL Plc, University of Pannonia, Hungary
  • Eternity Power Thermal Harvesting™, Vuselela Energy (Pty) Ltd, H1 Holdings Group, South Africa
  • The Shell concept car, Shell International Ltd, Geo Technology SA, Gordon Murray Design, Shell Projects & Technology, UK/Switzerland
  • Clean lead for the battery age, Aqua Metals, USA
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

Team of the Year Award sponsored by NES Global Talent

  • Direct conversion of biomass to bio meg, PETRONAS, Malaysia
  • DPPA eductor and metering project, Centrica – Exploration & Production, Amec Foster Wheeler, Seajacks UK, Emerson, UK
  • Vegetable oil purification, Green Lizard Technologies Ltd, Evonik Industries AG, FGV Applied Technologies Sdn Bhd, UK/Germany/Malaysia
  • Prospecting mine sites for non-ore resources, Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, Laurentian University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, AIS Plc, Canada/UK
  • Front end solutions, Costain, UK
  • Making POCO business as usual, Sellafield Ltd,            UK
  • Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, IBioIC, UK

Training and Development Award sponsored by Bouygues Energies and Services

  • Weblabs in chemical engineering, CARES Ltd, University of Cambridge, UK
  • Full transparency and access for stakeholders, Unipar Carbocloro SA, Brazil
  • Optimisation of IChemE certification process, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, Nigeria
  • Nucleargraduates development programme, Energus – nucleargraduates, UK
  • Process safety education – the forgotten industries?, GlaxoSmithKline, University of Sheffield, DEKRA Insight, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, UK/USA/Switzerland
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

Water Award

  • Innovative lamella dissolved air flotation unit, Jacobs UK Ltd, United Utilities, UK
  • Cost effective laterite based arsenic filter, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
  • The drinkable book, Folia Water, Inc., USA
  • Bubbleless aeration, OxyMem Ltd, University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland
  • Condensation on slippery asymmetric bumps, Harvard University, USA
  • Tarragona DEMOWARE industrial water reuse project, Dow Water & Process Solutions, USA
  • Lake District creamery on-site bio-energy plant, Clearfleau Ltd, UK

Young Industrialist Award sponsored by GSK*

  • Rajesh Mohan, Petroleum Conservation Research Association, India
  • Mary Christofi, Airbus Operations Ltd, UK
  • Jahziel Joy Pasco, PM Group, Republic of Ireland
  • Mark McBride-Wright, KBR Ltd, UK
  • Alexander Kelly, BP, UK
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

* Winner to be decided by IChemE member vote – voting opens 25 October 2016

Young Researcher Award sponsored by ExxonMobil*

  • Sourav Mondal, University of Oxford, UK
  • Michelle Low, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
  • Nadeen Al-Janabi, University of Manchester, UK
  • Tomas Ramirez Reina, University of Surrey, UK
  • Patricia Perez Esteban, University of Bath, UK
  • Timothy Gordon Walmsley, University of Waikato, New Zealand
  • Winner – IChemE Singapore Awards 2016 (announced 21 October 2016)
  • Winner – IChemE Malaysia Awards 2016 (announced 24 October 2016)

* Winner to be decided by IChemE member vote – voting opens 25 October 2016

Related links

IChemE Singapore Awards, 21 October 2016

IChemE Malaysia Awards, 24 October 2016

IChemE Global Awards, 3 November 2016

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