RESEARCH INTERESTS

Professor Simon's research interests include the following:

Polymer Nanocomposites. New materials which involve blends or mixtures of nano-sized ceramic units, nanoparticles and nanotubes with plastics (thermoset, thermoplastic and elastomer) are also being investigated. This is usually via the melt blending, in situ polymerization or solution blending methods. Modification of the nanotubes is also being undertaken. Such materials are useful in medical applications, opto-electronic devices, in gas separation membranes and to toughen thermosets. Work is also being done in poly(silsesquioxane) (POSS) materials – the smallest silicate cage unit – being attached to polymer chains and functional groups.

Dendritic Materials. Both dendrimers and hyperbranched materials are being investigated in terms of their homopolymer structure-property relationships and in combination with other thermoplastic and thermoset materials as processing aids and toughening agents, and in nanocomposites

Polymer Blends. Properties of polymer blends and their interfaces are being studied in a number of ways such as with regard to their dielectric mobility and free volume properties. Blends include those of plastics, blends with liquid crystalline polymers and with ceramics, often for biomedical applications.

Thermosets and Their Toughening. Research is continuing into cure monitoring (such as by infrared and dielectric relaxation) of crosslinked polymers. They are being toughened by addition of thermoplastic phases and core-shell particles - for ultimate use as aerospace materials.

Relationships Between Polymer Mobility, Free Volume and Mechanical Properties. The interrelationships between these properties in a wide range of homopolymers, copolymers, blends and naturally-occurring polymers such as paper are being investigated. Characterisation includes dielectric and mechanical relaxation and density.

Liquid Crystalline Polymers. The properties of main chain and side chain liquid crystalline polymers are being investigated by a range of techniques such as dielectric relaxation and rheology. Areas of application involve opto-electronics (non-linear optics) and as high value engineering plastics for processing and blending.

Electrospinning of Nanofibers . The technique of electrospinning is looking at making new nano-dimensional functional materials for a range of applications from mechanical to biomedical, using a range of materials and techniques.

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