1. Career skills and experience

2.  Solid State Chemistry
 Colour Chemistry
 Encapsulation
 Polymer Synthesis
 Applications Testing
 Quality Control

3.  Highly reactive low molecular weight
compound.
 Functional group R-N=C=O
 Common synthesis route is to react amines
with phosgene.
 Used in foams, rubbers and coatings, such as
paints and varnishes to protect wood, cement
etc.

4.  Global market in 2000 was 4.4m tonnes
 of which 61% methylene diphenyl diisocyanate
(MDI)
 34% toluene diisocyanate
 Isocyanate exposure can affect respiration
 Can also have sensitising effect.
 Residual isocyante is possible within
polyurethane foams

5.  Nucleophilic reaction with alcohol forms
urethane
 Di-isocyanates can react with diols to form
polyurethane
 Reaction with water forms primary amine and
releases CO2
 Combining these two produces foams with the gas
acting as a blowing agent
 Reaction with an amine forms a urea

6.  One year industrial placement from university
 First industrial experience
 Learnt business focus
 Focus on converting blue to violet
 Learnt colour terminologies
 Ion exchange process
 Solid State process
 Learnt limitations of solid state chemistry
 Sought consistent quality
 Improved product delivered
 Business decision not to take to pilot plant
 Pigment used in paint formulations

7.  First position at Ciba/BASF
 Laboratory-based role
 Additional responsibility for EHS
 Included Risk, COSHH, MH Assessments

8.  Encapsulation of dye lakes
 Colour chemistry
 Lab process
 Cosmetic application
 Scale-up to, and commissioning of, pilot plant
 Material used by customer; product sold in stores
 Dealings with other departments/countries
 Different Global regulations dealt with
 Process creates solid coloured particle
 Involves film forming chemistry and curing of polymer

9. Phase Change Materials
 Umbrella for several projects
 In-fibre
 Dealings with sales team
 Improved process scaled to full plant scale
 Aminoplast process
 Requires curing of synthesised polymer
 Larger capsules (coating fibres)
 Process scaled to pilot plant
 Teamwork/communication – deliver liquid wax on
time

10. Phase Change Materials
 Treating fibreboards/insulation
 Acrylic mPCM with replenishable waxes
 Modified conventional process for new active
 Looking to use Green Chemistry
 Inorganic PCM (salt hydrates)
 Encapsulated with natural polymers

11.  Aminoplast encapsulation of Smartlight
 First project I had overall responsibility for
 Customer was agricultural
 Dealing with different departments/countries
 Lead candidate product approved by customer
 Process scaled to pilot plant
 Laboratory Development Document written
and handed to Process Development
Department

12.  Design and development of Liquid Dispersion
Polymers for Personal Care
 Polymerisation of acrylic monomers to produce
target polymer properties
 Applications testing of above polymers in hair
care and skin care formulations
 Sensorial testing on hair swatches
 Combing studies on hair swatches
 Testing on skin of HPC department personnel

13.  Working in a fast paced environment
 Right result first time was essential
 Time critical work
 Limited amount of sample
 Working shifts and overtime
 Supervisor responsibility
 Managing day-to-day work of testers
 Responsibility for performance reviews

14.  Strong background in business-focussed R&D
 Years of experience in R&D laboratory
 Experience commissioning and operating a
pilot plant facility, scaling up processes
 Experience of working in QC laboratory
 Strong track record of meeting tight deadlines
 Strong focus on EHS, safe running of
laboratories
 Interdepartmental and interdisciplinary
communication is a strength