Chris Chuck

Professor Chris Chuck leads the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath. His multidisciplinary research focuses on renewable alternative fuels and bioproducts, particularly through sustainable biorefineries using photo-, mixo-, and heterotrophic microbes for lipid and higher-value product generation. He investigates biomass upgrading via chemical methods, lignin depolymerization, and applications in transportation and aviation biofuels, collaborating with Mechanical Engineering academics and industry leaders like EADS and Ford Motor Company.

Research Interests: Chris's work addresses sustainability challenges by developing economically viable processes for fuels, chemicals, and animal feed without compromising food or water resources. Current projects explore microbial lipid production from non-food biomass, mechanochemical protein extraction, and SDG-aligned innovations in chemical technologies.

Article Trends: His recent publications emphasize

• 2025: Protein and lipid production from grass using Metschnikowia pulcherrima
• 2025: Microwave-assisted levulinate synthesis
• 2024: Probiotic yeast applications in animal feed
• 2024: Seaweed-based hydrothermal processing for plant growth
• 2023: Zirconium catalysts for bioplastics
• 2022: Sawdust valorization via microwave and fermentation

These span chemical engineering, biofuels, and sustainable food ingredients.

Awards:

• Whorrod Research Fellowship in Sustainable Chemical Technologies (2011)

Collaborations: His funded projects include partnerships with Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and Innovate UK, focusing on life cycle engineering, farm sustainability, and yeast technology scale-up.