Dr Richard Clegg has been appointed as Foundation Professor of Industrial Materials Science for the James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems’ Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) Centre, Gladstone Campus.

Dr Clegg received his Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland in 1985 and PhD from the Cambridge University Engineering Department in 1993. At Cambridge he worked on liquid metal embrittlement of metals and alloys, and this will be the major emphasis in his research at the PELM Centre.

Dr Clegg is currently with QUT’s School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Medical Engineering where his research interests are focused on biomaterials. He has also been actively involved in working with industry through consultancies in areas such as failure analysis for the mining industry and engineering aspects of medical device failure.

This new Chair is fully funded from external sources with Stanwell Corporation and AMC each contributing $60,000 per year and the Department of State Development contributing $110,000 per year for three years.

Dr Clegg’s research at CQU will be devoted to materials selection issues at AMC’s new plant and to similar problems in Central Queensland industries. The intent of this work will be to reduce maintenance costs in these industries through improved materials selection. It is also expected that opportunities for longer-term research will emerge from this production-focused effort. We look forward to Dr Clegg’s commencement in Gladstone on July 1, 2003.