In 1945 a generous donation transformed Cambridge University. Shell’s endowment established the Department of Chemical Engineering. This marked the beginning of a legacy of innovation. The department’s first Shell Professor Terence Fox arrived in 1946. He launched the undergraduate Tripos course in 1948. He faced a challenge. He had to convince skeptics that chemical engineering deserved a place in Cambridge’s esteemed academic landscape.
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has a rich history. It started in temporary buildings off Tennis Court Road. Later it moved to a new building on the New Museums site. This building was known as the Shell Department of Chemical Engineering. It moved again in 2017 to its current location on Philippa Fawcett Drive. The new building boasts state-of-the-art facilities. It supports the department’s cutting-edge research. The official opening was performed by Lord Sainsbury in 2018.
Peter Danckwerts headed the department from 1959 to 1975. He was a war hero. He made significant contributions to reaction engineering. His work on gas absorption and mixing remains seminal. John Davidson succeeded him. He was Shell Professor and Head of Department from 1975 to 1993. He was involved in the investigation of the Flixborough Disaster. The department’s early work included the development of a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell used by NASA’s Apollo missions.
The Department of Chemical Engineering merged with the Institute of Biotechnology in 2008. This merger created the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. This combined the strengths of both institutions. It fostered collaboration across disciplines. The result is a department that is at the forefront of research in sustainable reaction engineering. It also explores chemical product and process design. Its research expands into healthcare measurement and materials science.
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is not just about the past. It is also a vibrant hub of present-day activity. It conducts research in collaboration with industrial partners. It trains undergraduate and postgraduate students. It tackles some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From its humble beginnings in 1945 the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has grown. It has become a world-renowned institution. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. It shows the importance of innovation in chemical engineering and biotechnology.