Christopher Jefferies

I joined Aston University as a Research Assistant after completeing my PhD under the supervision of Professor Sahar Al-Malaika here at Aston University.

My current research interest involves characterisation and profiling the degradation of commodity polymers with specific end uses, for example potable plastic water piping, articulating surfaces of joint prosthesis. The overall objective is to ultimately understand the oxidative process which leads to polymer failure and the fate of the stabilsers as they undergo their mechanism of action to protect polymers from such processes.

I use a broad range of spectroscopic, thermal and chromatographic techniques to understand the underlying principles of both polymer and antioxidant behaviour during their lifetime. These are but not limited to:-

• HPLC-MS
• GC-MS
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry
• Thermogravemtric analysis
• Accelerated Solvent Extraction
• Soxhlet Extraction
• FTIR and FTIR-Microscopy (Imaging)
• UV-Vis

Currently

• Working in collaboration with Uponor, Sweden on the "Characterisation of PEXa pipes for potable water use" (2017-Ongoing)

Previous project(s) include:-

• Collaboration with Zimmer-Biomet on "Synthetic and Graftable Antioxidants as Alternative Stabilisers for Crosslinked Medical Grade UHMWPE" (2012-2016)

• PhD in Polymer Science from Aston University (2018)
• BSc(Hons) in Applied Chemistry (1st Class Honours) (2012)

• Research Assistant at Aston University (2016-Ongoing)
• Technical Officer at Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Bank Contract during BSc studies) (2008-2012)