Royal Academy of Engineering announces new Fellows - <em>News</em>
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Thursday 9 July 2009
By Naomi Weston
Two Imperial College London academics have been elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering for their outstanding contributions to their fields, it was announced yesterday.
Professor Nina Thornhill from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology and Professor Mehmet Imregun from the Department of Mechanical Engineering join 45 other new Fellows elected to the Academy this year.
Professor Thornhill joined the College in 2007 to take up a new research Chair of Process Automation, sponsored by engineering company ABB under the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chairs scheme.
Professor Thornhill joined the College to take up a new research Chair of Process Automation
She is leading a five year programme focusing on improving control and process monitoring in the oil, gas and electrical power industries, using signal processing and time series analysis techniques.
Her research aims to trace the root causes of inefficiencies in industrial systems, such as unstable flows in pipes and the build up of foam in distillation columns. She also looks at new ways of reducing energy consumption, boosting productivity and increasing profitability.
Commenting on her fellowship, Professor Thornhill said:
“It is a great honour and privilege to be elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering and I am delighted with the news. It also gives recognition to the study of process automation and its contributions to addressing the industrial challenges facing the UK and the world. Engineering is a wonderful career and I am looking forward to participating in the activities of the Academy.”
Professor Imregun joined the College in 1979 as an MSc student in Advanced Applied Mechanics and became Professor of Computational Engineering Dynamics in 2000.
Professor Imregun's research looks at improving the design of aeroplane engines
He is also the Director of the Vibration University Technology Centre, based at the College and funded by Rolls Royce plc, which carries out vibration research for the aerospace and power generation industries. His research focuses on improving the design of aeroplane engines for improved structural integrity, reliability, performance and to produce less noise.
“I was delighted to be elected,” said Professor Imregun. He added: “The fellowship highlights the importance of industry-driven research aimed at producing advanced computational tools, as well as for producing cutting-edge designs.”
Election to the Fellowships of the Royal Academy of Engineering honours the UK’s most distinguished engineers. The new elections bring the total number of Fellows of the Academy at Imperial to 76.
For a full list of the new Fellows, please visit: www.raeng.org.uk/about/fellowship/newfellows.htm
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