Overview

My research interests encompass the selection of beneficial properties in polymers, nanoparticles, and their resulting composites, and their development towards traditional manufacturing and advanced additive manufacturing techniques. Specifically, I am driven to investigate the areas of: renewable functional nanocomposites, tuning and retention of unique nanoparticle physical properties in composites, hierarchical structuring of materials across multiple length-scales, and “green”' devices from additive manufacturing.

My career research plans aim to: 1) develop new renewable polymers, nanoparticles, and nanocomposites for use as responsive and functional systems; this includes soft tactile sensors, chemically responsive nano-structured sensors for implanted medical devices, and actuating musculature for prosthetics and soft-robotics; 2) further study the changing properties that occur throughout processing and operation of these materials, to seek widely-applicable property relationships and methods to utilize the opportunities made available by these materials, as well as the unique manufacturing conditions found in 3D printing processes; 3) develop an adaptable ``tool kit'' of compatible, renewable, and reliable functional nanocomposites, as well as their tailored component structures, allowing rapid engineering by combining the tool-kit's components into complex custom devices achievable through additive manufacturing techniques. Research within these interests show great promise for wide-reaching impact in academic and industrial circles, and are ideally positioned to receive funding by public and private corporate partners, seeking new solutions for sustainable manufacturing and custom-made medical devices such as prosthetics and implants.

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Recent and Current Research

My PhD work was focused on the evolving electrical properties throughout processing of conductive nanocomposite adhesives, motivated by the need to replace toxic and unsustainable lead solders in the electronics industry. Essentially, I was answering the question ``how is the final composite conductivity produced by the interaction of the processing conditions, the nanoparticle properties, and the epoxy behaviours?'' My discoveries demonstrate that the relationship between the cure and post-cure of the thermosetting adhesive and the evolving conductivity were far more complex than presented in the open literature. This has potentially wide-reaching implications: the methods of processing used by industry are the same conditions that produce significant losses in final conductivity, and as such industry standards should be re-examined.

As a post-doctoral researcher, I have contributed to development of a new class of re-programmable shape-memory polymer for artificial muscle applications (published), and the development of a new class of biodegradable salt-based sol-gel (a “Sal-Gel”) that displays responsive and reversible changes of stiffness of 5 orders of magnitude (published). I lead work researching improvements to the dispersion of silver nanobelts using renewable cellulose nanocrystals for development towards a direct-write conductive ink that 'programs' the silver nanoparticles with a stratchable shape during drying (published), and characterizing the durability and environmental ageing of a high impact-strength Defence Industry laminate composite (published). Currently, my research is focused on using functional materials in inkjet printing, investigating new material formulations and techniques. This work is primarily focused on conductive polymers such as PEDOT:PSS for printed electronics, but also includes collaborations developing new recyclable thermosetting polymers and new in-print composite-forming techniques.

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Research Plans and Goals

For my future research career plans, I will be selecting areas of interest that are well-suited to expanding upon my previous knowledge and expertise. This is widely applicable to many fields of nanomaterials and composites, since the reliable processing of materials and the conditions and requirements of 3D printing represent major hurdles to material development. Likewise, such investigations are valuable to materials science in general, uncovering fundamental interactions and driving development of techniques that are widely applicable.

Two of my most significant personal research interests are 1) responsive functional nano-based materials, and 2) their interaction with the processing conditions of traditional and additive manufacturing techniques. Functional materials of interest to me include those that respond electronically to thermal, mechanical, or specified chemical stimuli, as well as those which respond to electronic stimulation by actuating. Advancements in these areas are greatly desired in the areas of flexible electronics, medical engineering, and prosthetics. Further development of these using nanocomposites would broaden this vast potential for structural, automotive, and aerospace technologies. A key asset here is identification of new material options, new and affordable manufacturing techniques, and development to scalability.

Research Philosophy

My experiences have taught me that success in research is built from proactive effort, adaptability, vision, and collaboration. Research with integrity comes from: 1) The effort to recognize and understand both the scientific problem at hand and the goals of sponsoring partners. 2) The adaptation necessary to not only overcome obstacles, but also to approach investigations from unique perspectives. 3) The vision to set and adjust priorities, seeking long-term goals through meaningful short-term inquiries. 4) Healthy collaboration with experts in many disciplines, to support and integrate those varied perspectives.

In my future role as head of a research group, I would structure projects as inter-related and flexible investigations of the over-arching project, woven throughout my group. This structure allows each of my research students to work as the independent expert of their personal project's flexible focus, while collaborating meaningfully with one another towards the high-level objectives. I would also encourage research to emphasize both the variety of techniques and the applicability of the problem under investigation; narrow views in either of these, such as focusing on a single disconnected problem or focusing on only a single technique of investigation, leads to research that is not broadly applicable. The interdisciplinary methodology of my PhD is an example of this: methods and conclusions were applicable to a broad range of materials and processing conditions, investigating the underlying dynamics of the processes.

Final Thoughts

During my PhD and post-doctoral positions, I've had the opportunity to develop a solid foundation upon which to begin my academic research career, working in multi-disciplinary programs with strong ties to both private and public institutions. From these environments I have learned the planning and leadership skills vital to successful research collaborations between myself, industry, and academia, and now I look forward to building new partnerships. I've also been benefited with the opportunity to mentor and support students in a research environment: an experience that has made me excited for my next opportunity to do so. As such, I am committed to continuing to pursue research interests that provide avenues of positive social and scientific change in my next position and faculty.