Dr Biegler is an eminent electrochemist who is recognized both in Australia and internationally for his work in this field.

Since becoming the Acting Chief of the CSIRO Division of Mineral Chemistry in 1985 and subsequently its Chief in 1987, he has introduced innovative management practices and guided the activities of the Division so that it moved rapidly towards increased R & D partnership with the minerals industry and hence increased industry funding and commercialization of the Division's research.

Between 1985 and 1991, such external funding increased eight-fold from $0.5 million to $4.1 million. The Division is now a research leader in the production of alumina and aluminium, heavy mineral processing, magnesite processing and energy storage.

The Division under the leadership of Dr Biegler has achieved major successes in the application of research leading to the commercial production of high-purity zirconia and of magnesite-based products; many other research projects are at various stages of commercialisation.