Topic: Block Copolymer Nanotechnology: Application in Organic Photovoltaic

Speaker: Dr Paul D. Topham, Aston University, UK

Time: 2:30 p.m., March 10, 2015

Venue: Conference Room 329, Building 25, SCUT North Campus

Sponsor: School of Materials Science and Engineering

Introduction to the Speaker:

Dr. Topham earned a Master in Chemistry at University of Sheffield in 2002 and studied “pH-Responsive Polymer Systems for Use as Molecular Machines” for his Ph.D. research under Anthony J. Ryan OBE at the University of Sheffield. Following the completion of a PhD in 2006, he undertook a post-doctoral research position working for Unilever, under the supervision of Professor Steve Armes. Dr. Topham joined the Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry subject group at Aston in August 2008 as a Lecturer in Chemistry, became a Senior Lecturer in August 2012 and a Reader in Polymer Chemistry in August 2013. He was appointed as a Guest Professor of South China University of Technology in September 2014. Till now, he has been awarded several grants as PI and CoI (including beamtime at international radiation facilities) totalling over £1,630,000. Dr Topham’s research focuses on the design, synthesis and application of well-defined polymer systems, including “smart” polymers, biocompatible and biodegradable materials and tethered polymer brushes, within the Advanced Materials Research Unit at Aston University.