OBITUARY

Chris Fell died on 08/12/2022.

Chris was elected as a Fellow of our Academy in 1988, and during his time he was an active member of ATSE. He was Honorary Secretary for a year and also a member of the NSW division. Chris was also a member of our Education, Energy and Water Forums. Chris collaborated on many of ATSE papers and submissions and attended numerous events. Chris was a very active member of our Academy, and we are sincerely grateful for his involvement.

In addition to being Chair of the NCRIS Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), and a member of the NSW Government Independent Planning Authority, Professor Fell was also active in technology and engineering in many professional networks. He was a former Dean of Engineering and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and International) at UNSW Sydney and is widely known for his pioneering research into the development of low-pressure membrane processes for water treatment and chemical handling.

Chris Fell was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 2015. He was recognised for his services to science and engineering through various Australian Honours, being made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2003, awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001, and most recently made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2021 for distinguished service to science and engineering, particularly to nanotechnology research and fabrication, and to professional networks. He was a strong supporter of young researchers through his sponsorship of student research prizes. 

Professor Chris Fell graduated with Honours, and the University Medal of the University of NSW, in 1962, and at Cambridge University completed a Ph.D. in 1965.

Industrial employment with I.C.I. followed until 1969 when he joined the School of Chemical Engineering at his alma mater becoming Professor of Chemical Engineering in 1980.

His research activities have been primarily in the field of separation processes. His work on industrial scale sieve tray distillation columns is embodied in design procedures and has led to international consulting.

From 1973 onwards, he has been increasingly involved in research on membrane processes. These include ultrafiltration, crossflow microfiltration and gas separation. His group's research led to the establishment of Memtec Ltd., a publicly listed company now with a capital of $50M, which is a major supplier to industry of membrane based equipment.

His research group maintains close collaboration with Australian industry and has been the catalyst for the introduction of membrane technology in a number of industrial processes.

Professor Fell has played a full professional role in the Institution of Chemical Engineers, in organising Conferences and fills an editorial function in several international journals.

He has published 90 technical papers and holds patents on membrane processes.