Particle Technology Group at
​The University of Sheffield

Our research is focused on the application of new techniques and technologies with particulate systems, and how these can be applied to develop cutting-edge solutions to complex industrial problems. The group combines both experimental and modelling approaches to provide new insights into traditional unit operations. Our students are currently working in the following topic areas:

• Process scale up and manufacturing,
• Mechanistic understanding of integral unit operations,
• Intensifying API production through new techniques,
• Improving individual unit operation efficiencies.

These projects have been developed to address real issues within the manufacturing of products from several industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, detergents and battery manufacture. The group is also investigating alternatives for these traditional processes, and the scale-up of these alternatives to both industrial and continuous manufacturing levels.

​Our group uses the latest technologies, including granulators, particle coating equipment, oscillatory baffled reactors and in-line process analytical technologies. To support our work, we also use a comprehensive suite of characterisation methods including laser diffraction, x-ray tomography, porosimetry, pycnometry and various microscopy and imaging techniques. ​Our modelling approaches are often centred around population balance modelling and the discrete element method.
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To learn more about our research, click here. More in-depth project descriptions are also given in each student profile. ​​