Derek Schipper carries out research in organic chemistry and materials chemistry. His research program is based on the development of novel synthetic methods that allow efficient access to important conjugated materials. Ultimately, he seeks to utilize these materials in applications such as organic photovoltaics, light emitting diodes and field-effect transistors.
Research interests
Adhesion, surface forces and associated micro-mechanical properties of such soft materials as (synthetic and biological) polymers, sticky fluids, and biological tissues, in particular, under micro- and nanometer confinements.
Research interests
Polymer processing, reactive extrusion of polymers, rubber devulcanization, chemical modification of polymers, processing of polymers with supercritical fluids, mathematical modeling and computer simulations of polymer processing, and rheology of polymer melts.
Research interests
Magnetic nano-particles for protein purification, Nano-structured systems from templating process, Block copolymers and self assembly systems, Enhanced drug delivery systems, Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and stimuli responsive polymeric systems, Polymer-surfactant interactions, Associative polymers for environmentally friendly coatings, Temperature and pH-responsive microgel systems, Rheological, calorimetric titration and light scattering techniques.
Research interests
Synthesis of polymers using coordination catalysis, characterization of polymer structure, and testing thermal and mechanical properties of polymers; development of novel polymer nanocomposites, mathematical modeling of polymerization mechanisms.
Research interests
Kinetics, mathematical modelling and simulation of polymerization processes, polymer and latex sensors, polymer reactor design, optimization and computer control.
Research interests
Kinetics of free radical polymerisation, chemical modification of commercial rubbers to produce physical property modifications, hydrogenation of butadiene rubbers. Methods for modifying polymer bulk and surface properties. Effects of nitroxyl radical controllers in polymerization and polymer decomposition.
Research interests
Design and synthesis of conducting and semiconducting polymers. Processing and molecular organization control of crystalline polymers.
Research interests
Synthesis, characterization, and applications of highly branched (arborescent) polymers. Polymer-supported reagents and catalysts, polymer modification, copolymerization, ion-containing polymers, water-soluble polymers. Polymer-modified metallic particles. Microencapsulation and drug release. Emulsion polymerization.
Research interests
Deals with the physical phenomena that are observed in soft materials in general and more particularly in polymer thin films. He is interested in the characterization of confined polymer chains through the study of their glass transition and the properties of polymer interfaces and adhesion phenomena.