Patrick Fairclough

Professor Patrick Fairclough is a Professor of Polymer and Composite Engineering at the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield. He has been with the University of Sheffield since 1997, initially joining the Department of Chemistry before taking up a chair position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2013.

Professor Fairclough earned his BSc in Physics from the University of Birmingham in 1990 followed by a PhD in Neutron Scattering in 1995. Prior to joining Sheffield, he completed a postdoc in polymer science at UMIST in Manchester from 1994 to 1997.

His research spans a wide range of polymer and composite systems, with particular focus on mold-free manufacturing of carbon fiber composites, structural color phenomena, and recyclable polymer systems. His group has developed innovative methods for electrically curing carbon fiber composites without traditional tooling and has conducted significant research on hydrolyzable thermoplastic composites. The team's work on structural color led to detailed studies of white beetle scales using synchrotron radiation at the ESRF in Grenoble, France.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on advanced composite manufacturing techniques, particularly electrical curing methods and mold-free fabrication approaches. His research integrates materials science with practical engineering applications, focusing on sustainability through recyclable polymer systems and efficient manufacturing processes.

Professor Fairclough has secured significant research funding including EPSRC grants such as 'Soft Nanotechnology' (2007-2012, £796,000), 'KTA KickStart Funding Biologics' (2011-2012, £1,116,000), and 'The Microscale Polymer Processing Consortium' (2005-2009, £815,000).

He teaches MEC132: Matter Flow and Energy (Thermofluids) and MEC406: Engineering Composite Materials (Solids) at the University of Sheffield. His research group maintains active projects in mold-free manufacturing, fiber splicing, and tailored fiber placement technologies.