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News Archive: 2012

October 2012

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING BREAKFAST CLUB

On 7th November, the SBBC will welcome Huw Davies of Antur Waunfawr, he will give a short talk on, "The challenges of building and maintaining a sustainable estate at Antur Waunfawr. Afterwards there will be a general discussion on the subject.

All welcome. We meet at 8am, and the talk starts at 8.30. Attendance is free, remember to buy your coffee from the coffee shop and come and join us in the bar for the meeting.

September 2012

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING BREAKFAST CLUB

The October SBBC meeting will occur a day earlier than usual - and we will join in with a Climate Change Commission Wales Breakfast Briefing. This event starts at 8am at the Management Centre on Tuesday 2nd October, and offers the chance to meet with Peter Davies, the Commissioner for Sustainable Futures, and discuss the low carbon economy in Wales. It's crucial that businesses engaged in the 'green economy' have a strong voice in any debate on shaping the future and we'd like to encourage you to come along to express your views.

Please note, this is an invitation only event, so do contact Ceri or Einir through the usual phone and email channels, to let us know you are intending to come.

August 2012

JOB VACANCY: MATERIALS TESTING TECHNICIAN

Project Title: BEACON (A Biorefining Centre of Excellence for Wales)

Bangor University, is seeking to recruit a Materials Testing Technician to support scientists working on a variety of projects at the BioComposites Centre. The successful candidate will work on the mechanical and physical testing of a range of biobased materials, including fibre-based/ wood plastic composite materials and polymer films.

The successful candidate will be educated to A-level standard, or equivalent, with good A-levels in physics, chemistry and biology and will have some experience in materials preparation, testing and evaluation.

The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible and the post is available for a period of 33 months.

Please quote reference number 12-12/5 when applying.

Closing date for applications: *1.00 p.m.* Friday 31 August 2012.

The post is being funded through the provision of a grant from the Welsh European Funding Office (through the ERDF programme), as part of a £20 million project called BEACON. BEACON is a partnership between Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea Universities to support the biorefining industry across the Convergence Area of Wales.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

We gratefully acknowledge support for BEACON from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh European Funding Office, part of the Welsh Government.

The application form and further particulars are availabe from the Bangor University web site.

JOB VACANCY: MATERIALS RESREARCH ASSISTANT

Project Title: WISE Network

WISE Network is a collaborative European Regional Development Fund funded programme between Aberystwyth, Bangor and Swansea Universities which seeks to support the growth and development of companies within the Environmental sector in Wales, and those which specifically impact upon the environment. The aim is to create a ‘greener’ Wales, with agile companies able to use research and development and collaboration with Universities to drive business growth in a sustainable way.

WISE Network exists to develop and utilise the research, technology and innovation capacity and expertise in the universities and the ability to commercialise and exploit research to build business capacity to develop and take-up improved products processes and services.

The materials research group at the BioComposites Centre, Bangor University has over 21 years experience in research and consultancy in the materials field. The group undertake a wide area of research ranging from solid wood through composites to polymer processing and utilisation.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with the existing team of scientists and technical staff to deliver a wide-ranging portfolio of research. Under the direction of the Head of materials Research he / she should also be able to carry out research and analysis through lone working.

The successful candidate should show a willingness and ability to learn new techniques quickly and efficiently and be able to solve day-to-day laboratory problems.

The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible, and the post is available for a period of 32 months.

Please quote reference number 12-11/281X when applying.

Closing date for applications: 1.00 p.m. Friday 07 September 2012.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

We gratefully acknowledge support for WISE Network from the Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh European Funding Office, part of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The application form and further particulars are availabe from the Bangor University web site.

JOB VACANCY: RESREARCH TECHNICIAN

Bangor University, through the BREAD4PLA project, is seeking to recruit a Chemistry Technician to support scientists working on this and other projects at the BioComposites Centre. The successful candidate will work in the beginning mainly in the chemical lab with 1L scale equipment. Second stage will include work with 50L automated reactor system which is based at the University’s Technology Transfer Centre at Mona, Anglesey. The successful candidate will also be involved on the mechanical and physical testing of a range of biobased materials under the direction of more senior staff.

This position will suit a person with a background in chemistry or polymer chemistry. The post offers an opportunity for the successful candidate to further their career by gaining valuable experience working in a Centre with a long established track record in the production, characterisation and evaluation of biobased composite materials.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate good practical laboratory skills, an ability to both assist staff on the project and also demonstrate their own initiative in helping to deliver project outputs.

The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible and the post is available for a period of 12 months in the first instance.

Please quote reference number 12-11/282X when applying.

Closing date for applications: 1.00 p.m. Friday 31 August 2012.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

The application form and further particulars are availabe from the Bangor University web site.

July 2012

PUTTING ANGLESEY ON THE MAP: BIOPRODUCTS AND BIOREFINING TECH TRANSFER CENTRE LAUNCH

The launch of the state-of-the-art research facility - the BioProducts and Biorefining Tech Transfer Centre - operated by BC at Mona drew high praise from local MP Albert Owen for putting Anglesey on the map. The centre supports research and product development for local companies in the area of biorefining and utlilsation of natural products. Showcase products were on display at the event.

New equipment at the BPR-TTC was purchased as part of the Beacon project has increased the capacity for producing and extracting high value chemicals from plants, as well as generating fibre for composite building products and insulation and many other processing technologies. Read more about the Beacon project and biorefining here and comments from the launch event here.

The launch event drew a large crowd of invited guests, companies assisted and representatives from Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities. Dr Adam Chalrton openned the event, and welcomed the Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University, Prof John Hughes, then Assembly Member for Ynys Mon, Mr Ieuan Wyn Jones and the MP for Ynys Mon, Mr Albert Jones to speak. A report from the Daily Post can be downloaded if you would like to read more.

June 2012

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING BREAKFAST CLUB

Following the short break due to the Jubilee Bank Holidays this month, the Sustainable Building Breakfast Club is back in July with two speakers for the price of one! But do note the change of day.

The next SBBC meeting will be in the Management Development Centre on THURSDAY 12th July at 8.00am. As always attendance is free, remember to buy your coffee from the coffee shop and come and join us in the bar for the meeting.

David Jenkins of Coed Cymru will give a presentation on the Ty Unnos project and Roger Thomas CEO of CCW will discuss the potential of the Green Economy. It promises to be a fascinating event with plenty to discuss.

BEACON BPR-TECH TRANSFER CENTRE LAUNCH

The Beacon team at BC are holding the BioProducts and BioRefining Tech Transfer Centre launch event at our Mona site on Thursday 28th June. More details can be found here Beacon Events.

If you are interested in attending please contact Adam Charlton at BC (01248 388072 or adam.charlton@bangor.ac.uk)

IPPS MASTER CLASS SPEAKERS CONFIRMED

The 2nd IPPS Master Class returns to Bangor this september, giving expert seminars and workshops in the area of wood based panels. The first Master Class, in 2010, was such a success that the team are really looking forward to the follow up, and experts speakers from across Europe and the USA will make it a stimulating and rewarding event.

The event will take place on 18-19th September at the University's Managament and Development Centre, and full details are now available from the IPPS website. Download the schedule and the registration form now to be sure of your place at this industry focused event.

April 2012

IPPS 2011 JOURNAL ISSUE PUBLISHED

The International Wood Products Journal issue dedicated to IPPS 2011 has just been published online. The issue features a selection of papers from IPPS 2011, which was organised by BC in Llandudno, Wales on 5-6th October 2011.

The journal is published by Maney for the Wood Technology Society (part of the IOM3). Note, the Editorial and In This Issue sections are open access, and give you a flavour of the range of papers.

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR IPPS MASTERCLASS

The dates for the IPPS Master Class have been confirmed as the 18th and 19th September 2012. The biennial seminar-style event gives wood based panels expertise in an industrially focused in-depth style. Full details will be announced shortly, so watch the IPPS website for updates.

March 2012

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING BREAKFAST CLUB

There will be no Breakfast Club meeting on 4 April.

The next Breakfast Club meeting will be on May 2 and will be held in conjunction with Arloesi Gwyrdd a Thechnolegau'r Dyfodol/Green Innovation and Future Technologies (GIFT) Project.

Further details about the May SBBC meeting will follow, but we can reveal that there will be two speakers – Roger Thomas (CCW) and Lucy Boreham (Wates). This will also mark the launch of the GIFT project, so come and find out more. NOTE – the event will be held in Neuadd Reichel not the Management Centre.

February 2012

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING BREAKFAST CLUB

The next meeting of the Sustainable Building Breakfast Club will be in the Management Centre at Bangor University on Wednesday 7th March 2012 at 8am.

This month we welcome Damian Woodford, the manger of the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Centre for Wales at Coleg Llandrillo. He will tell us about the various courses and training available in micro renewable energy and sustainable construction, also a little about 'Dyfodol' funding which allows them to offer any renewable energy awareness or installer training for £50.

Don't forget to call at the coffee shop on the ground floor to buy your hot drink on the way to join us in the bar.

January 2012

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING BREAKFAST CLUB

The latest Sustainable Building Breakfast Club will be held in the Management Centre at Bangor University on 1st February 2012 at 8am. This month we welcome Sally Sudworth, from Constructing Excellence in Wales. Sally Sudworth is Director of the Wales Low Zero Carbon Hub for CEW. She will introduce us to the work of CEW, and some of the important topics that they are addressing, including: sustainability issues, low carbon building, and gaps in knowledge and training for the construction industry.

Remember to call at the cafe on the ground floor to buy your panad, and bring it down to the bar. We look forward to seeing you for this informal meeting.

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION WORKSHOP

The BioComposites Centre is hosting a workshop that will focus on Anaerobic Digestion (AD) on 26th January 2012. The title for the day is High Value Products from Anaerobic Processes: New Market Oppertunities. It will highlight some of the opportunities for adding value to the co-products and outputs from AD processes. It will introduce the concepts of energy production and bioplastics manufactured from this waste.

The workshop will include presentations from experts in Wales and there will be an opportunity for 1 to 1 sessions for more detailed discussions. Download the programme, and the University map for more information.

If you are interested in developing AD processes or are looking to develop products using new recycled materials (fibres and bioplastics) please mark the 26th January in your diaries.

VOC SEQUESTRATION BY SHEEP'S WOOL INSULATION

Dr Simon Curling and the materials research team at the BioComposites Centre have recently developed a rapid method for the determination of uptake of formaldehyde (a prevalent VOC) by sheep's wool insulation. The method, which utilises Surface Measurement Systems Dynamic Vapour Sorption (DVS) instrumentation, allows the sorption, desorption and residual formaldehyde uptake to be measured within days rather than weeks or months of analysis. The method for analysis has been published in the Journal of Materials Science [http://tiny.cc/voc1]. The paper also shows that formaldehyde is chemically bonded to the wool which infers that the formaldehyde will be irreversibly trapped within the wool.

The DVS is commonly used for analysis of the interactions between water moisture and materials, giving a rapid analysis of sorption and desorption of moisture by materials and also analysis of the hysteresis in materials.

Dr Ormondroyd and Dr Curling are now seeking funding to expand this method and assess its viability for other VOCs and possible adsorbent materials.