Regius Professor and CS expert elected Fellows of Royal Academy of Engineering

Regius Professor of Chemistry, Graham Hutchings, and Compound Semiconductor specialist Dr Wyn Meredith have been elected Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng).

An international expert in catalysis, Professor Hutchings’ work has helped to clean up chemical industries worldwide.

Research at Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI), established by Professor Hutchings, led to a cleaner method for producing polyvinyl chloride using gold as a catalyst, rather than harmful mercury.

His work with internationally leading partners in fields such as the automotive, fuel and chemical manufacturing industries has helped translate research into chemical engineering applications worldwide.

Compound Semiconductor expert Dr Wyn Meredith, chair of the Welsh Semiconductor Cluster, CSconnected, also receives a Fellowship.

A non-executive Director of the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, Dr Meredith was awarded an Honorary Distinguished Professorship by Cardiff University in 2021 in recognition of working with the School of Physics and Astronomy, providing expert advice on commercialisation of research.

Welcoming his award, Professor Hutchings said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to be awarded the Fellowship. Finding innovative scientific solutions to real-world problems has always been at the heart of my research, aligning perfectly with Academy’s aim to build a sustainable society and inclusive economy that works for everyone.”

Dr Meredith said: “I am delighted to accept the Fellowship as it recognises the work of CSconnected to develop key enabling technologies, supporting the Academy's quest to harness the power of engineering and bringing economic benefits to our industry and academic partners in Wales and beyond.”

The Royal Academy of Engineering is the UK’s national academy of engineering, delivering public benefit from engineering excellence and technology innovation.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Engineering is everywhere, but nowhere the same, and our new Fellows represent the great breadth and diversity of engineers who are striving to address some of the world’s most complex challenges – benefiting society and the economy in the process. From next generation power networks and water systems to quantum computing and artificial intelligence, our new Fellows are shaping the future.”

Originally from Weymouth in Dorset, Professor Hutchings obtained his PhD in Biological Chemistry from University College London. He joined Cardiff University in 1997 as Professor of Physical Chemistry and Head of the School of Chemistry.

The world-renowned CCI is based in Cardiff University’s state-of-the-art Translational Research Hub - bringing industry and scientists together to solve complex global challenges – and houses the University’s new Max Planck Centre on the Fundamentals of Heterogeneous Catalysis (FUNCAT).

Dr Meredith, originally from Swansea, studied Physics at Cambridge University before obtaining a PhD in Blue semiconductor laser development at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh. He has 30 years industrial experience and co-founded The Compound Semiconductor Centre in 2015, a Joint Venture between Cardiff University and IQE Plc.

Professor Hutchings and Dr Meredith join 71 other RAEng Fellows elected in 2023.