James Busfield

Professor James Busfield FREng, MA, PhD, CEng, FIMMM, FHEA is Professor of Materials and Deputy Head of the School of Engineering and Materials Science and Director of Strategy at Queen Mary University of London. He leads the Centre for Intelligent Transport and the Soft Matter Group, which is currently the largest such research group in the UK with a team of 14 postdoctoral researchers and PhD students.

Research Interests

Prof Busfield's research focuses on examining the physical behaviour by experiment and modelling techniques of polymers and soft matter such as elastomers and rubber materials. His work covers properties including abrasion, friction, fracture, creep, fatigue, viscoelastic behaviour, modulus enhancement, self healing, recycling, ageing and composite filler reinforcement. He is also developing smart soft materials that can sense their environment and soft actuating materials that can change shape in response to physical stimuli.

His research has significant applications in the automotive industry (particularly tires), sustainable materials development, and advanced polymer composites for various engineering applications. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges materials science, mechanical engineering, and polymer physics.

Publication Trends

Prof Busfield's recent publications show a clear trend toward sustainable materials development, with increasing focus on recycling rubber and polymer waste, developing self-healing materials, and creating bio-based alternatives. His work increasingly incorporates advanced modeling techniques to understand material behavior at multiple scales, from molecular interactions to macroscopic performance. There's also a growing emphasis on applications in electric vehicles, wind energy, and sustainable fashion technologies.

Scientific Awards and Recognition

• Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020)
• National Teaching Fellow (2009)
• T B Marsden Professional Medal (2024)
• George Stafford Whitby Award (2021)
• Colwyn Medal (2009)
• Sparks-Thomas Award (2010)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
• Chartered Engineer

Research Leadership and Grants

Prof Busfield has secured substantial research funding from diverse sources including EPSRC, EU Horizon 2020, Royal Academy of Engineering, and major industrial partners such as Aston Martin F1, Continental Tires, Bridgestone, Schlumberger, and Jaguar Land Rover. His current portfolio includes multiple PhD studentships and collaborative projects focused on sustainable elastomer products, tire technology, and smart materials development. He serves as Associate Editor for "Plastics Rubber Composites: Macromolecular Engineering" and "Rubber Chemistry and Technology" and has organized numerous conferences for the rubber community.

Research Group

Prof Busfield leads the Soft Matter Group at Queen Mary University of London, which includes research assistants like Dr. Thomas Griggs and numerous PhD students working on projects related to rubber reinforcement, tire technology, self-healing materials, and smart polymer composites. His group has strong industry connections and collaborates with leading automotive and materials companies worldwide.