Polymers

Polymeric materials are being researched for a range of advanced applications which make use of their functionality and ease of processing, and contribute to many applications. The expertise in the department extends from polymer chemistry to polymer engineering to surface properties of polymers, such as for biological applications. Renewable polymeric materials from bio-sources are being investigated as alternatives to synthetic materials. The macro-structure of the polymer objects can be controlled, including porosity, or modified by the addition of nanoparticles to improve mechanical properties and bio- and electromagnetic-functionality. Such structured porous polymers, electrospun fibres or hydrogels are used for drug delivery and tissue engineering, and even as draw media in forward osmosis membrane applications. Smart systems such as self-healing coatings can be repaired under a variety of stimuli. Semiconducting polymers are also studied for a range of polymer electronic applications. Increasingly, 3D printing is being used as a modern, bespoke method of processing polymeric materials, both for structural and biological applications.