The Australian Nanotechnology Network

Polymer Science Research Group

Name of Group Leader:

Professor Robert A Shanks

Physical Address:

Prof. Dr Robert A. Shanks
Professor of Polymer Science
School of Applied Sciences,
Science, Engineering and Technology
RMIT University
GPO Box 2476V Melbourne 3001 Victoria
Australia

Phone:

03 9925 2122

Fax:

03 9925 3747

Email:

robert.shanks@rmit.edu.au

Nanotechnology Research Programs/Activities:

Research Interests
Aim: Investigation of the chemical structure and microstructure of polymers and polymer blends, and their physical, thermal, mechanical and viscoelastic properties: flame retardant ceramifying polymers; biopolymer, cellulose and starch materials; composites, nanocomposites, liquid crystals, blends and surfaces.
Flame retardant ceramifying polymers
• Flame retardant polymer compositions
• Polymer-ceramic hybrids
Biopolymer and starch materials
• Starch materials for packaging
• Liquid crystalline polymers and supramolecular polymer structures – synthesis, properties and molecular modelling
• Biopolymer morphology and properties
Composites, blends and surfaces
• Nanocomposites and surface treated fillers
• Natural fibre thermoplastic composites
• Synthetic fibre – polymer composites
• Linear and non-linear contributions to viscoelasticity
• Cure kinetics