Prof Robert Field

Professor Robert Field graduated with a PhD (chemical engineering) from University of Cambridge where he had also read Natural Sciences. After being introduced to membrane processes at Bath University, he soon secured a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering award to work on the evaluation of potential membrane processes for environmental improvements. His most highly cited research relates to the concept of a critical flux for fouling which has had widespread influence beyond academe. Although originally introduced for pressure driven porous membrane processes he has led in the development of its wider applicability. His work on pervaporation has encompassed the manufacture of caesium polyacrylate hydrophilic membranes, bespoke hydrophobic membranes and fundamental analysis of the constraints imposed upon systems by boundary layer transport phenomena. Prior to joining Northumbria University Robert was a Professor at the University of Oxford where he initiated an interdisciplinary study “Exploring Water Re-use – the nexus of engineering technology and public policy” which is funded by an esteemed APEX award from the Royal Society/British Academy. He continues to work on water re-use as well as membrane process fundamentals and desalination, and was elected to Honorary Membership of the European Membrane Society in 2020.

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Water treatment with free-bubbling corrugated sheet MBR, Min, Y., Chen, D., Yang, S., Zhang, Y., Wang, B., Wu, J., Field, R. Mar 2024, In: Journal of Water Process Engineering
• Influence of shear stress on the intracellular bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) level within an MBR biofilm, Fang, Y., Xiao, N., Chen, D., Field, R., Wu, J., Wang, B. 5 Oct 2023, In: Chemical Engineering Science
• Aeration pipe design for free bubbling hydrodynamic optimization of flat sheet MBRs, Wang, B., Zhang, Y., Fang, Y., Zhang, K., Field, R. 15 Mar 2022, In: Journal of Membrane Science
• Arch-type feed spacer with wide passage node design for spiral-wound membrane filtration with reduced energy cost, Yu, J., Chen, D., Wu, J., Wang, B., Field, R. 1 Oct 2022, In: Desalination
• Blue Energy: Pressure Retarded Osmosis and Reverse Electrodialysis, Field, R., Wu, J. 1 Dec 2022, The World Scientific Reference of Water Science, Singapore, World Scientific
• Combining experimental and theoretical insights for reduction of CO2 to multi-carbon compounds, Brewis, I., Shahzad, R., Field, R., Jedidi, A., Rasul, S. 4 Mar 2022, In: Discover Chemical Engineering
• Membrane design for extractive membrane bioreactor (EMBR): Mass transport, developments, and deployment, Mahmood, Z., Tian, M., Field, R. 5 Nov 2022, In: Journal of Membrane Science
• Permeate Flux in Ultrafiltration Processes—Understandings and Misunderstandings, Field, R., Wu, J. 5 Feb 2022, In: Membranes
• Solar-energy-driven desalination cycle with an energy storage option, Shahzad, M., Xu, B., Dala, L., Wei, G., Jiang, Y., Field, R., Ng, K. 8 Aug 2022, Energy Storage for Multigeneration, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Elsevier
• Theory of oil fouling for microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes in produced water treatment, Virga, E., Field, R., Biesheuvel, P., de Vos, W. 1 Sep 2022, In: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Editorial work: Discover Chemical Engineering (Journal) 2021
• Editorial work: Discover Chemical Engineering (Journal) 2021
• Editorial work: Discover Chemical Engineering (Journal) 2020

• Chemical Engineering PhD May 02 1980
• Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers FIChemE, CEng

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Critical flux-based membrane fouling control of forward osmosis, Nguyen, T., Kook, S., Lee, C., Field, R., Kim, I. 15 Jan 2019, In: Journal of Membrane Science
• Fouling mechanisms in constant flux crossflow ultrafiltration, Kirschner, A., Cheng, Y., Paul, D., Field, R., Freeman, B. 15 Mar 2019, In: Journal of Membrane Science
• On the understanding and feasibility of “Breakthrough” Osmosis, Wu, J., Field, R. Dec 2019, In: Scientific Reports
• Exploring the differences between forward osmosis and reverse osmosis fouling, Siddiqui, F., She, Q., Fane, A., Field, R. 1 Nov 2018, In: Journal of Membrane Science
• Biogenic silver nanocomposite polyethersulfone UF membranes with antifouling properties, Zhang, M., Field, R., Zhang, K. 1 Dec 2014, In: Journal of Membrane Science