Principle activities
Our mission
To measure, understand and predict the properties of interfaces, complex fluids and crystals, with a view to improving process design and product formulation.
The group members use a combination of experiment, computer modelling and theory to measure and predict the properties of a variety of materials of particular relevance to the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The research bridges a huge range of length and time scales, going from the detailed study of molecules adsorbed on surfaces and the process of crystallisation, through nano-scale studies on polymers, proteins and liquid crystals, to macroscopic studies of foams and the mixing processes in chemical reactor vessels. Details of individual projects are given on the staff web-pages, but a common thread is to do fundamental research while still maintaining close links with industry. The close collaboration of experimentalists with theoreticians and our ability to study materials at both molecular and macroscopic levels are particular virtues allowing us to conduct highly original and cutting-edge research.
