WMG Research Seminar
12pm, 13th June 2013 followed by Buffet Lunch
WMG International Digital Laboratory Auditorium
Translational Polymer Research for Sustainable Polymers
Professor Peter Halley - University of Queensland (UQ)
Synopsis:
The talk will showcase some translational polymer research projects in sustainable polymers in agri-foods, biomedical
and industrial application areas; specifically highlighting the integration of fundamental PhD studies with multisite
research teams. Pete has worked both in industry at SRI International, Sola Optical and Moldflow, in universities and with
three cooperative research centres (in food packaging, sugar, polymers) and is driven by translational research.
Bio: Professor Peter Halley
Peter is Professor of Chemical Engineering, Group Leader at the Australian Institute for
Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), Chief Investigator in the Queensland
Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM) Centre, Director of the
Centre for High Performance Polymers (CHPP) and Director of Research in the School of
Chemical Engineering. His research group in CHPP spans AIBN and Chemical Engineering
and is focused on developing new bio-based polymers, bio-chemicals and nanostructured
polymers for health, food and high-value applications. Peter’s research aims to take
advances in biomaterials a step further and develop high performance bio-based and
sustainable materials and polymers for high value and functional applications.
Opening Talk
Bioceramics: Synthesis and characterisation of hydroxyapatite
Sophie Cox, WMG
Synopsis:
Due to the ageing UK population and growing life expectancy as well as the increased dynamism of people’s lives, there
is an increasing clinical demand for bone replacement and repair. The main inorganic component of bone tissue is a
nonstoichiometric carbonated multi-substituted apatite. Synthetic hydroxyapatite (Ca 10(PO4)6(OH)2 - HA) is a popular
bioceramic used in bone replacement because it is chemically and crystallographically similar to native bone apatite. This
presentation focuses on key doctoral research findings that assess the influence of different reaction parameter on vital
material properties of HA, including bioactivity. Novel synthesis techniques, in-vitro and cell culture studies are reported.
Bio: Sophie Cox
Sophie joined the WMG doctoral research programme in Oct 2010 as a member of the Materials
and Manufacturing Group. Her research in the area of bioceramics has led to collaborative links
with The School of Chemistry as well as the University of Birmingham through the Science City
Research Alliance. Having undertaken a placement with a UK leader in the consultancy of
healthcare materials, Sophie has directed her research to areas that are pertinent to current
clinical issues related to bone tissue. As well as exploring novel synthesis methods of
bioceramic materials her thesis investigates the feasibility of using 3D printing to manufacture
bone tissue scaffolds. Prior to her doctoral studies Sophie received a BEng in civil engineering
with 1st class honours from The University of Warwick.
Please confirm attendance to Georgina Haslop g.haslop@warwick.ac.uk