Skip to content
Fengge Gao

Fengge Gao

Associate Professor

School of Science & Technology

Staff Group(s)
Chemistry and Forensic Science

Role

Dr Gao is responsible for:

  • directing research in the Nanoscience Laboratory
  • supervising students and research workers
  • teaching in:
    • Polymeric Materials
    • Advanced Techniques
    • Nanomaterials
    • the Chemistry of Modern Day Materials
    • Chemical Reaction and Processes
    • Integrated Chemistry Principles
    • Surface, Colloid and Industrial Chemistry..

In addition to teaching and research, Dr Gao is a Chief Executive of a University spin off company, BfhN Technologies Ltd, responsible for the commercialisation of antimicrobial polymer nanotechnology.

Research areas

Nanoscience Laboratory (ex-Polymer Engineering Centre)

Current research is being carried out in six related areas of nano- and sub-micro-technology:

  • Clay / polymer nanocomposites: The focus in clay / polymer nanocomposites is to develop commercially applicable technology to improve mechanical properties, barrier properties and fire retardancy for a wide range of polymers.
  • Graphite / polymer nanocomposites: The aim of research in this area is to fully utilise the excellent mechanical properties of the aromatic sheets of graphite to exfoliate the aromatic layers in polymer matrix to enhance mechanical properties. Other activities in this area include the enhancement of fire retardancy and the tailor of intercalated structure to produce smart polymers with conduction range from semi-conductive to nearly super-conductive.
  • Carbon nanotube-enhanced polymers: The current study is emphasised on the mechanistic exploration of the role of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the enhancement of fire retardancy.
  • Nano-metal particles enhanced polymers: The group work in collaboration with the Russian Academy of Science has shown that adding a very small amount of nano-metal particles can improve oxygen index of polymer significantly. This activity is currently widening into the development of commercial applicable nano-fire retardants.
  • Biomimetic devices and materials: Biomimetics refers to develop new devices and materials by learning from nature. The groups research in this approach is divided into two areas. One is to develop third generation self-healing materials in solid phase. Another activity is to develop stress sensitive materials which can feel “pain” and “cry” before damage.
  • Antimicrobial nanocomposites: A novel approach has been developed to produce anti-microbial polymers using nanotechnology. The materials developed exhibit non-leaching behaviour with improved physical and engineering properties.

The Nanoscience Laboratory welcome the opportunity for collaboration in antimicrobial materials, polymer nanotechnology, rheology, extrusion, injection moulding, fire retardancy, biomimetic materials and devices, fibre composites and dynamical mechanical properties of polymers.

Opportunities to carry out postgraduate research towards an MPhil / PhD exist in all the areas identified above and in associated interdisciplinary areas in polymers, nanocomposites, fibre composites, rheology, fire retardancy, antimicrobial polymers and biomimetic materials. Further information may be obtained from the NTU Graduate School.

External activity

  • Chief Executive of BfhN Technologies Ltd
  • Member of UK Research Council
  • EPSRC Peer Review College (2003-2005)
  • Member of ESF Peer Review Pool
  • Associate Editor of Journal Modelling and Simulation in Engineering
  • Guest Professor of Sichuan University
  • Visiting Professor of Dalian University of Technology

Sponsors and collaborators

Current and recent research is being conducted with the collaboration, funding and / or support of:

Research funding in the period since 2001 includes:

  • Developing non-migration type nano antimicrobial polyolefin films for food hygiene packaging and waste reduction, East Midlands Development Agency (2009 to 2010), £49,505
  • Advanced Nano-structured Tapes for electrotechnical high power insulating applications, FP7 (2008 to 2010), £360,000
  • Stress sensitive biomimetic nanocomposites, BAE Systems (2007), £10,500
  • PET nanocomposites, EPSRC Case Award (2004 to 2007) £48,300
  • Clay/polymer nanocomposites for beverage application, UK Industry (2004 to 2007), £151,038
  • Multi-polymer nanphybrids, Alcoa CSI (2002 to 2004), £48,152
  • Product innovation for polymer processing, ESF/ERDF (2001 to 2004), £52,002
  • Graphite/polymer nanocomposites, Hilti AG (2000 to 2004), £85,858
  • Clay/PP nanocomposites, Alcoa CSI (2000 to 2002), $95,863
  • Nanometal particle enhanced polymer, Royal Society (2000), £5,000
  • eCommunication for Polymer Industry, EMDA/BT (2000 to2001), £74,400

Publications

Selected publications

  • Characterization of melt dripping behaviour of flame retarded polypropylene. Kandola B, Price D, Gao F, Nigmatullin R, in ACS Book Series, Fire and Polymers VI: New Advances in Flame Retardant Chemistry and Science, 2012, 21, 311-325
  • A preliminary study of the surface properties of earthworms and their relations to non-stain behaviour. Gao F, Baraka-Kamali E, Shirtcliffe N, Terrell-Nield C, Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2010, 7, 13–18
  • Permanent, non-leaching antimicrobial polyamide nanocomposites based on organoclays modified with a cationic polymer. Nigmatullin R, Gao F, Konivalova V, Macromol. Mater. Eng. 2009, 294, 795–805
  • Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites in the design of antimicrobial materials. Nigmatullin R, Gao F, Konivalova V, J Mater Sci, 2008, 43, 5728–5733

For full list click 'Go to Fengge Gao's publications' link above.

See all of Fengge Gao's publications...