Abstract
1940–2012
The research undertaken by Michael (Mike) Bevis covered many aspects of materials science and engineering, including the crystallography of deformation twinning and martensitic transformation in metals, transmission electron microscopy of dislocations and interfaces in metals and crystalline polymers, recycling of plastic waste and the moulding technology of polymers and ceramics. His work in moulding technology was particularly successful and occupied a major part of his academic career. This was brought about by his energy and vision in establishing the Wolfson Centre for Materials Processing at Brunel University in 1987. Under his direction, the Centre received strong support from collaborating companies and pioneered research and development on new moulding and extrusion technologies, many of which became licensed worldwide. When he stepped down as Director of the Centre in 1994, owing to the advancing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, he remained active as Consultant Director for another 13 years.
Mike was born on 25 April 1940 on Jersey in the Channel Islands. He studied at Battersea College of Technology for a BSc in Physics from the University of London, graduating in 1962. He undertook theoretical research for his PhD on twinning in metals and related topics under the supervision of Alan Crocker at Battersea before being appointed to a lectureship in the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Liverpool in 1965, where initially he continued his research on metals. However, Derek Hull, Head of Department, had started to apply his expertise on deformation and fracture of metals to the mechanical properties of polymers, and Mike joined him and a colleague to form the Polymer Research Group. It soon became a leading group in the UK, and over the next seven years Mike led projects on the properties of amorphous and crystalline polymers, the recycling of plastic waste and moulding of thermoplastics. His research and accomplished teaching led to early promotion to Senior lecturer and then Reader, before he left in 1977 for a Professorial Chair and Headship of the Department of Non-Metallic Materials at Brunel University. When the department merged with Metallurgy in 1984, he became the first head of the new Department of Materials Technology. Mike's door was always open, and he inspired his research students and staff to realise their true potential with his enthusiasm and dedication. Although his desk, and any table-top in sight, often appeared to be laden with piles of paperwork, seemingly random to the casual observer, Mike treated the apparent chaos without concern and always seemed to be able to put hands on any document he sought.
He met Diana Holloway in 1962 and they married in 1964. Colleagues, students, international visitors and their many other friends experienced warm hospitality in Liverpool, Uxbridge and later Kendal, to where he and Di retired in 2002. Di's unstinting care and positive attitude after Mike was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1980 enabled him to remain active in research at a high level for another two decades. Although confined to a wheelchair from 1987, he did not let difficulties stand in his way and was able to travel widely in the UK and abroad with Diana's support. He bore the problems they encountered with fortitude and rarely alluded to his condition unless it was touched by his keen sense of humour. He was delighted to be taken along the Great Wall of China in his wheelchair when appointed to a visiting professorship in Beijing, and was amused that French police took his inability to stand to be due to drunkenness when, on the way to a conference in Nice, his caravanette overturned into a ditch. He hadn't touched a drop at the time.
He published more than 200 research papers and received recognition and honours from many quarters. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1986, was awarded the A. A. Griffith Medal of the Institute of Materials in 1987 and the Swinburne Medal of the Plastics and Rubber Institute in 1990, was a vice-president of the Institute of Materials from 1992 to 1995 and, in 2000, was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Horners, a livery Company of the City of London with strong links to the plastics industry. He was UK Editor of International Materials Reviews from 1999 to 2007 and was presented with an Innovation Award by Lady Thatcher in 1994. In recognition of his role as founding Director of the Wolfson Centre and his lasting contribution to Brunel University, a new hall of residence named the Michael Bevis Hall was opened by the University Chancellor, Lord Wakeham, in 2009. He died peacefully on 28 April 2012 after suffering a stroke and is survived by Diana, their three children Katie, Andrew and Sarah, and three grandchildren.
David Bacon, FREng
University of Liverpool
Addendum
Mike Bevis was a major force in the significant upsurge of polymer engineering research in the UK. I was privileged to work with Mike and, together with Professor Roy Crawford of Queens Belfast, we co-operated to develop large scale programmes and a research strength in UK polymer processing which is maintained to this day. This had spin-off effects in helping to promote the underpinning areas such as fundamentals of polymer rheology (led by Professor Tom McLeish FRS). He also contributed greatly to the success of this journal both as contributor and long-standing member of our Editorial Board. The warm collaborations in the polymer engineering community (across Bradford, Brunel, Queen's, Warwick and Loughborough Universities in particular, but with many others involved) reflect the spirit and drive, and we are privileged to acknowledge Mike as one of the leaders. His personal touch, insight and energy will be much missed.
Phil Coates, FREng