Background:

Simon read for a BSc in Physics at University of London (Queen Mary and Westfield College) and went on to complete a PhD at the University of Cambridge. His career has included post-doc positions at Cambridge University and the University of Sheffield, where he also had a temporary lectureship.

Simon joined the Department of Materials in 2007 as lecturer and became a Senior Lecturer in 2013.  

In 2021, Simon became a Reader in Polymers and took on the responsibility of Associate Dean for Teaching in the same year, within the same department at Loughborough University.

Qualifications: 

• 1990 BSc (1st Class) in Physics from University of London (Queen Mary and Westfield College)
• 1994 PhD (“Nonlinear Optical Properties of Conjugated Materials”) University of Cambridge (Cavendish Laboratory).

Outline of main research interests:

Conjugated polymers are a fascinating class of one dimensional semiconductors. They are finding a wide range of applications including: Displays, Printed circuits (including field effect transistors) and photovoltaics

I am particularly interested in studying the morphology of thin films of these materials and the interfaces that they form with other materials.

I also am interested in the behaviour of polymer chains tethered at one end to a surface – polymer brushes. In particular I am investigating the behaviour of brushes made from stimuli responsive materials.

The experimental techniques I use include neutron and Xray scattering, atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry

Current teaching responsibilities:

• MPA207 Mechanics for Materials
• MPP501 Polymer Properties
• MPP601 Polymer Properties (DT)

Current administrative responsibilities:

• Director of Studies - Department of Materials

Crookes, R.G., Wu, H., Martin, S.J., Kay, C., Critchlow, G.W. (2019) Bio-inspired platelet reinforced elastomeric-ceramic composites for impact and high strain rate applications. Composites Science and Technology, 184. 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.107857

Tetteh, S., Bibb, R.J., Martin, S.J. (2019) Maxillofacial prostheses challenges in resource constrained regions. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(3). 10.1080/09638288.2017.1390697

Burg, S.L., Washington, A., Coles, D.M., Bianco, A., McLoughlin, D., Mykhaylyk, O.O., Villanova, J., Dennison, A.J.C., Hill, C.J., Vukusic, P., Doak, S., Martin, S.J., Hutchings, M., Parnell, S.R., Vasilev, C., Clarke, N., Ryan, A.J., Furnass, W., Croucher, M., Dalgliesh, R.M., Prevost, S., Dattani, R., Parker, A., Jones, R.A.L., Fairclough, J.P.A., Parnell, A.J. (2019) Liquid–liquid phase separation morphologies in ultra-white beetle scales and a synthetic equivalent. Communications Chemistry, 2(1). 10.1038/s42004-019-0202-8

Parnell, A.J., Bradford, J.E., Curran, E.V., Washington, A.L., Adams, G., Brien, M.N., Burg, S.L., Morochz, C., Fairclough, J.P.A., Vukusic, P., Martin, S.J., Doak, S., Nadeau, N.J. (2018) Wing scale ultrastructure underlying convergent and divergent iridescent colours in mimetic Heliconius butterflies. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 15(141). 10.1098/rsif.2017.0948

Tetteh, S., Bibb, R.J., Martin, S.J. (2018) Mechanical and morphological effect of plant based antimicrobial solutions on maxillofacial silicone elastomer. Materials, 11(6). 10.3390/ma11060925

Danso-Boateng, E., Holdich, R.G., Martin, S.J., Shama, G., Wheatley, A.D. (2015) Process energetics for the hydrothermal carbonisation of human faecal wastes. Energy Conversion and Management, 105. 10.1016/j.enconman.2015.08.064

Danso-Boateng, E., Shama, G., Wheatley, A.D., Martin, S.J., Holdich, R.G. (2015) Hydrothermal carbonisation of sewage sludge: Effect of process conditions on product characteristics and methane production. Bioresource Technology, 177. 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.11.096

 View central publications database

External roles and appointments:

• Physics representative on the committee of the Recent Appointments in Polymer Science