Patrick Spicer

Associate Professor Patrick Spicer is a faculty member in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He leads the Complex Fluids research group, which collaborates with industry and academic partners to design smart fluids with unique response and flow behavior directly linked to product and material performance. His laboratory at UNSW integrates advanced microscopy, microfluidic, and rheology capabilities to understand fluid coatings, films, and other complex products.

Before joining UNSW, Professor Spicer spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble where he ran a central engineering research department, developing new product and process technologies for all of P&G's billion-dollar brands. He is co-inventor of P&G's $30 million cubosome patent portfolio, which Children's Hospital Cincinnati adapted to develop the first product preventing life-threatening infections in premature infants, and inventor of P&G's responsive droplet technology.

Professor Spicer's research spans multiple interconnected domains including formulated product development and scale-up of microstructured fluids, rheology measurement and design, 3D printing with novel materials, engineered nanocellulose systems, emulsion shape control, and cubosome/hexosome nanoparticle technology. His work focuses on connecting microstructure to fluid behavior across applications from consumer products to biomedical solutions. His recent publications demonstrate significant advances in bacterial cellulose systems, responsive nanocapsules, pollen behavior in thunderstorm conditions, and advanced imaging of complex fluid microstructures.

His research group has secured substantial funding through multiple ARC Linkage and Discovery Projects, including LP200201026 on Plant Plasters for efficient spray micro-coatings on plants, LE200100221 establishing Australian Rheo-Scattering Facilities, and DP190102614 on engineering better sprays for leaf coating. Industry collaborations include significant projects with Procter & Gamble on high-throughput extensional rheology and v2Food on plant-based meat microstructure modeling.

Professor Spicer teaches advanced courses including CEIC4007 and CEIC4008 (Product Design Project Thesis A and B) and CEIC6711 (Complex fluid microstructure and rheology), mentoring students through thesis projects that bridge fundamental research with industrial applications. His Complex Fluids group maintains strong industry connections while advancing the fundamental understanding of microstructured fluids.