ReseaRch Quality assuRance foR the futuRe a ... - Lund University

Panel 14 – chemistry
The Panel has tried to obtain some information through the DCE
web-site. It has helped significantly, yet it did not provide the full picture
of the research organizational structure. Indeed, though it included a
general overview of on-going research projects grouped in different areas,
it did not give information concerning full dimension of such projects
and further introduced a few elements of difficulty since some projects
are repeated in different areas.
3.2 Some specific issues
The research themes cover very many relevant fundamental studies,
processes and products, but seem not to cover in significant dimension
and in a structured way some also relevant topics, namely in fluid mechanics,
mixing, optimization and control, systems engineering approaches
(in this case even considering the Center for Process, Optimization and
Control, which seems to be or potentially is very relevant, but of which
little is mentioned in the report).
The Department seems to lack some interfaces (or it has to improve them)
that may be necessary to increase productivity and visibility.
It is not clear to the Panel, what is the full dimension of the interface with
other disciplines, though there are indicators of cooperation with the
Department of Automatic Control and with material scientists.
The cooperation with industry seems significant, though this statement
lacks clear evidence. Furthermore, the Panel is surprised by the relatively
small number of Patents that have been filed.
The department has an outstanding “Special Resources” – a large apparatus
hall, which is unique in its kind for Chemical Engineering in
Sweden. The apparatus hall was completely renovated in 2005 and it
allows the department to conduct experiments at a relatively large scale.
This has been important for work on membrane technology, and for the
establishment of the National Process Development Unit – financed by
the Swedish Energy Administration
DCE has had 20 academic staff members over the last 5 years, of which 11
are professors. The mean age of the professors has increased from 53 y to
56 y during this period. For the lectures – only 4 – the mean age is 49 y.
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