Benkreira Hadj

Benkreira Hadj

Category : Physics - Chemistry - Mechanics

BENKREIRA Hadj

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Professor in Chemical Engineering

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

Specialty Field(s): Physics - Chemistry - Mechanics, Industrial Engineering - Energy - Materials

Origins & Education

Born in 1952 in Arzew, Algeria, Hadj Benkreira completed his secondary education at Lycée Ibn Badis in Oran (1968-1971), then continued his studies at the University of Oran (1971-1972). He then pursued his academic journey in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bradford in 1976, followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in 1977 in the same discipline. In 1980, he completed his doctorate (PhD) in fluid mechanics and rheology, specializing in thin films, also at the University of Bradford.

Scientific Career

After obtaining his Master's degree, Hadj Benkreira initially worked for SONATRACH, Algeria's largest petrochemical company. He subsequently returned to Bradford to pursue a doctorate as a research assistant under the supervision of Professors W.L. Wilkinson (CBE, FRS, FREng) and M.F. Edwards (OBE, FREng), with financial support from the UK Science and Engineering Research Council. His thesis focused on the fluid mechanics of coating flows.

Following his doctorate, he remained at Bradford as a postdoctoral researcher, sponsored by the UK Polymer Engineering Directorate, working on the mechanics of polymer processing. In 1985, he was appointed as a "New Blood Lecturer" at the Department of Chemical Engineering, and later progressed to obtain a Personal Research Chair in Coating and Polymer Processing in 1998.

In 2004, he was appointed Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the School of Engineering, Design & Technology. He held this position for 5 years until 2009, when he was tasked, along with colleagues, to reestablish the Chemical Engineering department at the University of Bradford.

Professor Benkreira is a longstanding member of the UK EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Peer Review College. He served as Vice President of the International Society of Coating Science and Technology (ISCST) and is currently Vice President of the European Coating Society (ECS), which he founded with colleagues in 1992.

He has been principal or associate investigator of over 25 EPSRC research grants since 1980 and has published more than 100 papers in learned journals and conferences on chemical engineering, coating flows, polymer processing, and applied rheology.

His current research focuses on advanced materials engineering, applied to EV battery technology, fuel cell membranes, water membranes, and polymer processing (recycling and upcycling of plastic and elastomeric waste).

Distinctions & Recognition

  • Member of UK EPSRC Peer Review College (Material Engineering)
  • FIChemE - Fellow of the UK Institution of Chemical Engineering
  • Member of the IChemE Accreditation Forum
  • Member of the UN Accreditation Forum for Arab Countries
  • CEng - Chartered Engineer
  • FHEA - Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy
  • Past Vice President of ISCST (International Society of Coating Science and Technology)
  • Board Member of ISCST
  • Current Vice President of ECS (European Coating Society)
  • Member of Editorial Board of JCTR (Journal of Coating Technology & Research)
  • Member of Editorial Board of "Coatings" journal

Impact & Influence

Professor Benkreira is recognized as a leading researcher in the fields of thin film coating (EV batteries, fuel cells, membranes) and polymer processing. His work has significantly contributed to the advancement of these fields, with important applications in emerging and sustainable technologies.

His career exemplifies a consistent commitment to excellence in research and teaching, as well as substantial contributions to the international scientific community through his leadership in professional organizations and his role in training the next generation of researchers and engineers.

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