Patrick Spicer

Postdoc Opening with the Complex Fluids Group!

Research Interests: Design and development of microstructured fluid materials by understanding their kinetic behavior. Most of our work deals with complex fluids, fluids containing small amounts of colloids, polymers, and surfactants that exhibit highly non-ideal behaviour with fascinating dynamics. Complex fluids are a key part of most major products and manufacturing processes. Our group uses advanced imaging and rheology techniques to understand fundamental complex fluid properties, specifically:

Shape - Particle shape affects advanced material strength, reactivity, and biological uptake.

Structure - Self-assembly creates soft structures with biological, chemical, and physical applications.

Flow - Microstructured fluids are a part of most commercial products, and processes, and their flow affects stability.

Bio: Pat Spicer received a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 1992. In 1997 he completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering with the Particle Technology Group at the University of Cincinnati where his research focused on design and synthesis of colloidal and nanoparticle materials. After defending his thesis he went to work for the Procter & Gamble Company, leading their Crystallization group in the Corporate Engineering Division. In 2006 Pat formed P&G's Microfluidics and Structured Fluids group, supporting the scale-up and manufacture of complex fluid products for all of P&G's product areas. After 15 years with P&G, Pat joined UNSW in 2012 as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering where he, and Stuart Prescott, set up the Complex Fluids Group.