Interview with Dr Mark Tyrer
3 May 2011
How did you
get involved
in
construction
materials?
Almost by
chance! I had
worked as a
geochemist
at BGS in the geology of nuclear
waste management, was looking
for a relevant PhD and saw one with
Chris Page at Aston on the chemistry
of blended cements for waste
encapsulation. I have worked in cement
chemistry ever since, but maintain
links with waste management.
What
most interests me is geomaterials
research generally (cement science, in
particular) and how this impinges on so
many different fields, from traditional
construction, through biomedical
cements, polymer-containing systems,
environmental protection and very many others. These are remarkable
materials, which so many people take
for granted, yet they require less energy
than metals and polymers to produce,
are durable and largely recyclable.
It's easy to forget how strategically
important cement and concrete are –
the volume of concrete produced each
year eclipses the total of all other man-made
materials put together!
What has the Construction
Materials Group achieved so far?
The Group's strengths reflect members'
interests. In particular, we have a
good balance between the two major
subject groups – cement and concrete
and asphaltic materials. We cover a
variety of subjects in our meetings and
arrange regular events for participants
in the early stages of their careers,
such as the Young Researchers' Forum.
Conversely, we also have a tradition
of honouring contributors in the later
stages of their careers and actively
supporting the SCI awards.
How will the Group develop?
Like most others SCI Groups (and
other institutions) it must adapt to
membership changes. Unlike the past,
few companies can afford staff time to
contribute to Society affairs. Also, the
loss of many laboratories from public
hands limits the resources available
to us.
So, in recent years our meetings
have needed to be focused on topics
of current commercial importance
and, happily, these have drawn large
audiences. Many meetings are one-day,
or half-day events, and I expect
that this will be our main activity in the
future. A key need is new committee
members. Duties are not onerous and
there is a real opportunity for people
to make a valuable contribution to the
SCI and to the field. I hope we will see some
new people come forward,
especially younger members.
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