The founding board of the EPSRC Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Polymer Science & Technology, 1989: back row to front row, left to right:
Prof Robin Harris (Durham), Dr Geoff Davies (Leeds); Bill Colwell (Commercial Manager);
Dr Phil Coates (Bradford), Prof Eric McIntyre (Leeds), Dr David Bower (Leeds), Dr Alan Duckett (Leeds);
Prof Jim Feast (Durham), Prof Ian Ward (Director, Leeds), Prof Tony Johnson (Bradford).
The IRC commenced on 1 October 1989.
The principal objectives were:
1. To establish a recognised focal point for the future development of polymer science and technology in the UK.
2. To provide a more effective interface between academic research and industrial research in polymer science and technology in the UK.
3. To produce a more substantial flow of polymer scientists and technologists.
New Projects were initiated:
1. The Synthesis, Characterisation and Application of Dendritic Polymers
2. Designed Networks
3. Electroactive Polymers:
(a) Ionic Transport in Polymers
(b) New Piezo and Pyroelectric Polymers
4. Polymerisation Scale-up – Block Copolymers and Telechelic Polymers from Living Polymerisations.
5. Novel Liquid-Crystal Polymers.
6. Polymer Composites:
(a) Mechanical Behaviour of new High Temperature Composites
(b) Lightweight High Energy Absorbing Composites
(c) High Temperature Low Cost Polymer Composites
7. Polymer Process Modelling, Measurement and Control:
(a) Solid Phase Deformation processing
(b) Polymer Fluid Processing