Roy Geddes
Encyclopedia
Roy Geddes was a chemist
and bio chemist and worked as Dean of Science and Engineering at Auckland Institute of Technology.
as a senior lecturer in 1970, after obtaining BSc Hons and PhD degrees in chemistry in Edinburgh and postdoctoral fellowships in physical biochemistry at the Australian National University
(1967-69), and at Georgetown University
(Washington, DC, 1965-66).
In Auckland he investigated the structure and metabolism of glycogen, an energy storage polysaccharide, by physical biochemistry methods. His work provided evidence for the existence of a protein core, now known as glycogenin, within glycogen.
He was Deputy Dean of Science from 1982 to 1985 at the University of Auckland and subsequently Dean from 1986 to 1993. In 1994, he moved to Auckland Institute of Technology as its Dean of Science and Engineering. During his term as Dean, his faculty acquired a modern and attractive building, and the Institute became Auckland University of Technology
, a transformation to which Roy Geddes contributed significantly.
in New Zealand, after obtaining consultancy about the process at TWI (The Welding Institute
) during a trip to the United Kingdom. While working at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) he teamed up with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Marine Industry Association (MIA), ION Automotive NZ, Circa Marine & Industrial and Ullrich Aluminium, to disseminate and utilise the know-how. At this time in 2004 it was announced that a number of 55 metre Protector-class inshore patrol vessels would be procured for use by the Royal Australian Navy
and Royal NZ Navy
- and now the opportunity existed for both Australia and New Zealand to be involved in building them. The naval architect of these vessels specified that a significant portion of the structure had to be friction stir welded.
The collaborators made a concerted effort on bringing New Zealand up to speed in this field by co-operative technology transfer. In mid 2005, the Donovan Group in Whangarei
implemented friction stir welding for the manufacture of these vessels. The Donovan Group has since then modified a large CNC gantry milling machine to be used as a friction stir welding machine for large scale production, which is required for the patrol vessel building.
AUT has also developed the application of friction stir welding in the production of alloy wheel rims and structures using thick aluminium alloy plates. All of the FSW carried out by AUT has been achieved on existing manufacturing equipment that the university has modified, as opposed to custom-built friction stir welding machinery.
Contractually, the industrial uptake of friction stir welding was comparatively easy in New Zealand, since the Australian/New Zealand Standard on 'Welding of aluminium structures' had been issued. This was one of the very first standards that covers friction stir welding, although it actually focuses on arc welding. It includes an innovation clause within its first section, which states that 'The Standard can be applied to other welding processes such as friction welding, including friction stir, […] provided all requirements of the Standard are met, as well as specific constraints of needs, demands and operation of the individual welding processes.'
committees as a New Zealand representative and provided consultancy to Ministry of Research, Science and Technology
of New Zealand.
He obtained the Sesquicentennial Medal
in 1990 and the Silver Medal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
in 1999. In 2002 he became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and bio chemist and worked as Dean of Science and Engineering at Auckland Institute of Technology.
University career
He began his career in the Department of Biochemistry of The University of AucklandUniversity of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
as a senior lecturer in 1970, after obtaining BSc Hons and PhD degrees in chemistry in Edinburgh and postdoctoral fellowships in physical biochemistry at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
(1967-69), and at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
(Washington, DC, 1965-66).
In Auckland he investigated the structure and metabolism of glycogen, an energy storage polysaccharide, by physical biochemistry methods. His work provided evidence for the existence of a protein core, now known as glycogenin, within glycogen.
He was Deputy Dean of Science from 1982 to 1985 at the University of Auckland and subsequently Dean from 1986 to 1993. In 1994, he moved to Auckland Institute of Technology as its Dean of Science and Engineering. During his term as Dean, his faculty acquired a modern and attractive building, and the Institute became Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology
The Auckland University of Technology is a university in New Zealand. It was formed on 1 January 2000 when the Auckland Institute of Technology was granted university status. Its primary campus is on Wellesley Street in Auckland's Central business district...
, a transformation to which Roy Geddes contributed significantly.
Friction stir welding
Roy Geddes described himself as the catalyst, who had kicked-off the industrialisation of friction stir weldingFriction stir welding
Friction-stir welding is a solid-state joining process and is used for applications where the original metal characteristics must remain unchanged as far as possible...
in New Zealand, after obtaining consultancy about the process at TWI (The Welding Institute
The Welding Institute
The Welding Institute or TWI is a research and technology organisation with a specialty in welding. The Welding Institute is based in Cambridgeshire, England, since 1946, and has several offices around the world....
) during a trip to the United Kingdom. While working at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) he teamed up with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), Marine Industry Association (MIA), ION Automotive NZ, Circa Marine & Industrial and Ullrich Aluminium, to disseminate and utilise the know-how. At this time in 2004 it was announced that a number of 55 metre Protector-class inshore patrol vessels would be procured for use by the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
and Royal NZ Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
- and now the opportunity existed for both Australia and New Zealand to be involved in building them. The naval architect of these vessels specified that a significant portion of the structure had to be friction stir welded.
The collaborators made a concerted effort on bringing New Zealand up to speed in this field by co-operative technology transfer. In mid 2005, the Donovan Group in Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
implemented friction stir welding for the manufacture of these vessels. The Donovan Group has since then modified a large CNC gantry milling machine to be used as a friction stir welding machine for large scale production, which is required for the patrol vessel building.
AUT has also developed the application of friction stir welding in the production of alloy wheel rims and structures using thick aluminium alloy plates. All of the FSW carried out by AUT has been achieved on existing manufacturing equipment that the university has modified, as opposed to custom-built friction stir welding machinery.
Contractually, the industrial uptake of friction stir welding was comparatively easy in New Zealand, since the Australian/New Zealand Standard on 'Welding of aluminium structures' had been issued. This was one of the very first standards that covers friction stir welding, although it actually focuses on arc welding. It includes an innovation clause within its first section, which states that 'The Standard can be applied to other welding processes such as friction welding, including friction stir, […] provided all requirements of the Standard are met, as well as specific constraints of needs, demands and operation of the individual welding processes.'
Private live
He was married to Estelle Geddes, and both of them were known for their hospitality and cultural openmindness as well as their excellent barbecues. Roy Geddes served on UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
committees as a New Zealand representative and provided consultancy to Ministry of Research, Science and Technology
Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (New Zealand)
The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology was a government agency within the New Zealand government.Its main responsibilities were to:* Manage the Government's research, science and technology investment...
of New Zealand.
Honours
New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
The New Zealand 1990 Commemorative Medal was instituted by the Queen by Royal Warrant on 9 February 1990. It was to be awarded only during 1990 to about 3,000 people selected in recognition of the contribution they have made to some aspect of New Zealand life, especially the various 1990 celebrations...
in 1990 and the Silver Medal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Royal Society of New Zealand
The Royal Society of New Zealand , known as the New Zealand Institute before 1933, was established in 1867 to co-ordinate and assist the activities of a number of regional research societies including the Auckland Institute, the Wellington Philosophical Society, the Philosophical Institute of...
in 1999. In 2002 he became a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.