A multi-million pound revolutionary research project which aims to regenerate damaged spinal discs and cure back pain, has begun at Sheffield Hallam University.

We have extensive experience of incorporating clays into a range of petroleum derived polymers including polypropylene, polyamide, polyacrylates, polycaprolactone, polyvinylalcohol as well as biopolymers including starch, polylactic acid, chitosan and gelatin

Hydrogels are crosslinked polymers that contain large amounts of water. We have developed a novel hydrogel loaded with Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) which can be maintained as a liquid ex vivo and be injected into the affected tissue site where body temperature triggers in situ gelation.

There are a large number of commercially available additives that enable polymers to perform important functions over a wide range of conditions

The degradation of polymers by UV, heat, moisture or γ-irradiation is of significant importance in many different spheres of life

We have developed a novel pNIPAM-DMAc-Laponite® hydrogel loaded with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAPna), which can be maintained as a liquid ex vivo and be injected into the affected bone tissue site where body temperature triggers in situ gelation

In collaboration with Prof Chris Breen and colleagues, we have been using molecular-resolution simulations of clay galleries to investigate detailed structural behaviours that underpin coating treatments used for food packaging applications.

The competitive movement of small molecules through polymers, membranes and constitutes an important phenomenon in many applications

Differential Scanning Calorimetry can be used to characterise and compare materials; identify and confirm purity, assess thermal stability and evaluate product-application conditions.

In collaboration with Prof Chris Breen and colleagues, we have been using molecular-resolution simulations of clay galleries to investigate detailed structural behaviours that underpin coating treatments used for food packaging applications.