Centre for Materials from Renewable Resources (CMRR)

Funded by Professor Jim Song in 1997, Centre for Materials from Renewable Resources (CMRR) has now become an integral part of Wolfson Centre for Materials Processing (WMP) in 2007. It has become a centre of excellence in developing materials from renewable resources (e.g. non-food crops, such as starch, plant fibres and biopolymers), novel processing technologies of such materials and their industrial applications including packaging, horticultural and construction. Made from renewable resources, the materials offer much greener alternatives to oil-based materials to reduce the environmental impacts. When designed as biodegradable, the materials can also be composted and facilitate waste management. In addition, CMRR has also undertaken research in new technologies for recycling of mixed polymers and use of farm and food by-products for production of ethanol as renewable fuel. Most of the work is accompanied with LCA studies to demonstrate the true environmental benefits.

1. Materials from renewable resources
2. Novel  technologies for materials  processing and recycling
3. Industrial applications of biopolymers and composites
4. Renewable fuels from biomass
5. Modelling materials processing and ferformances
6. Life Cycle Assessment of materials

In collaboration with research institutions and companies from SME to large enterprises from different sectors, CMRR has received over £3 million research grants since 1997 from research councils and government funding bodies including EPSRC, DTI (STB), DEFRA and HGCA and we will continue to strengthen and broaden such partnership.

Contact: Professor Jim Song (jim.song@brunel.ac.uk or Tel. 01895 266692)

On-going Projects:

• Re-Plas Materials for Extended First Use and Re-use
• Bio-based lightweight sandwich structures for packaging applications
• Novel Bio-Composites Based on Whole Utilisation of Wheat Straw
• Lightweight eco-composites based on renewable raw materials

Completed Projects:

• Biodegradable forms for Cushion Packaging
• Novel Processing of Cereal Straws for Fibre Packaging Materials
• Biodegradable Starch-based Nano-Clay Composites for Food Packaging Applications
• Biodegradable Foams Based on Wheat Flour

Partners and Collaborators:

Director

Prof Jim Song

Academic Staff

• Dr Karnik Tarverdi
• Dr Mizi Fan
• Dr Wenhui Song

Research Assistants

• Dr Kun Qi
• Dr Xi Peng
• Dr Wendy Xia
• Damian Sezgada

PhD Students

• Mr. Mike Bonin
• Mr. Yong Wang
• Mr. Sitthi Duangphet
• Mr. Lei Zhao

Director

Prof Jim Song
Head of Materials Engineering Research Group

Postal Address

Professor Jim Song
Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge, Middlesex
UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0)1895 266 692
Fax. +44 (0)1895 256 392

Location in University

Office: Room 123b, Howell Building

Labs: Wolfson Centre, Halsbury Building