A STATE-of-the-art chemical engineering lab has been unveiled at the University of Strathclyde.

The £2million facility is part of the university's drive to be at the forefront of energy research - and capitalise on interest in the subject.

Despite a slump in general engineering enrolment in the UK, figures at Strathclyde show applications to study chemical engineering have gone up 70% since 2001, with admissions rising by almost 40% in the last six years.

Head of department Dr Carl Schaschke said: "The upturn in interest in chemical engineering nationally is a reflection of both the changing role and unique skills of the chemical engineer.

"This new lab will help us to further expand our advanced research capacity and will have a pivotal role in developing the next generation of engineers."

The new laboratory will be used for both teaching and research. A further £600,000 will be spent on research staff accommodation later this year.

It will be used for groundbreaking research into nanostructured materials and biomolecular engineering - areas that are becoming increasingly important in the fields of health care, nutrition and energy provision.

The university already has a strong reputation in energy research.

It is home to the Institute for Energy and Environment, which specialises in research into renewable energies and carries out design work for the marine and aerospace industry and carries out work for the National Grid and Scottish Power.

It is also home to a £4m power station simulator which allows engineers to learn how to deal with potential problems in a safe setting.

Its British Energy Advanced Diagnostic Centre is a multimillion pound research base and it is one of just three universities in Britain selected by the government to develop a masters degree course for the nuclear industry.

Dr Ramesh Mashelkar, president of the Institution of chemical engineers, said: "As a profession, we work across boundaries with people from different disciplines, countries and backgrounds.

"This approach is exemplified here at Strathclyde."