School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
Ph: +44 (0)117 3318256; email: wuge.briscoe@bristol.ac.uk
Steve Uphill
Shortly after completing his BEng in materials science &engineering at Brunel University, Steve was employed by Osmose, the world leaders in timber preservatives. Due to Osmose' development of micronised, particulate preservative systems, Steve thought he'd better learn something that might help. When he's not working near London or studying here in Bristol, Steve is driving between the two. His young family follow his life on twitter and instagram.
PhD Research: The flow of nanoparticles through porous media: Preserving timber with colloid science
Timber is the world's oldest construction material. It is natural, sustainable, but is susceptible to biodeterioration, and therefore it should be preserved to avoid failure in service. Colloidal, particulate preservative systems offer potentially better, more environmentally friendly alternatives to solubilised systems.
Understanding the flow of particles through the available flow paths in timber is important to optimising the timber preservation process. In this project, custom built apparatus are used to study the flow of particles through timber, and silica surfaces have been functionalised to act as a model surface, upon which contact angle measurements, streaming potential, and AFM CP force measurements are performed.