Skip to main content
Alison Paul  MRSC AFHEA

Dr Alison Paul

MRSC AFHEA

Reader in Physical Chemistry and Innovation

School of Chemistry

Email
PaulA3@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 70419
Campuses
Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Publication

2023

2022

2021

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2007

2005

2004

2001

Articles

Research

  • Formulation in colloidal systems
    • Emulsions, microemulsions and particle suspensions and sustainable surfactants
  • Physicochemical characterisation of macromolecules in solution
    • Relationships between molecular structure, solution conformation and functionality of novel polymer
  • Scattering methods to determine structures at small length scales (Neutron and Light/X-ray scattering)
  • Integration of molecular dynamics with experimental data
  • Composite materials
  • Innovation for application: advanced technology developments in drug delivery, structural materials and degradable  plastics

Teaching

Teaching focus: Fundamental & Applied Physical Chemistry and Materials Science

Year 2 Physical Chemistry: 
My lectures focus on the thermodynamics of colloidal systems. Exploring the thermodynamic driving forces that underpin solution behaviour, these lectures highlight how molecular chemistry and overall system composition give rise to the self-assembled structures that are essential for the efficacy of a vast range of products that we use every day.

Year 2 and Year 3 Laboratory Classes: Physical Chemistry
My teaching in labs is aimed at professional skills training; supporting students to gain confidence in practical techniques, develop their critical assessment and informed experimental design skills, and developing an applied understanding of accuracy & precision. Experiments link to key concepts in thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy and analytical methodology.

Year 4 and PGT: Advanced Materials:
My contribution to this module focussed on the relationships between molecular confirmation and interactions and the bulk properties of colloidal and soft matter systems, with particular reference to the targeted formulation of commercial products.

Details of modules can be found in course finder.

Biography

PhD University of Bristol (2001, J. Eastoe). Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cardiff University (2001-3). Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm (2003-4). Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Bristol (2004-5). Senior Research Fellow & Project Manager Cardiff University (2005-6). Appointed as Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, Cardiff, in 2006.

Committees and reviewing

Supervisions

Projects for self-funded students are available in the following areas:

Sustainable formulations and additives

Characterisation of soft/crystalline composite materials (collaboration with University of Birmingham)

Characterisation of novel polymers - fundamental studies of solution properties, collaborating on 

 

Current supervision

Taylor Young

Taylor Young

Research student

Research themes

Specialisms

  • Polymers and plastics
  • Drug delivery
  • formulation
  • Physicochemical characterisation
  • X-ray & neutron scattering