Professor Richard Day
Professor of Composites Engineering Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research
- Room: C13d/ Composites Centre
- Phone: 01978 293117
- Email: Richard.Day@wrexham.ac.uk
Prof Day originally studied Physics at Queen Mary London before a MSc in the Physics of Materials at Bristol University. He returned to London to study for a PhD in single crystal polymers.
He worked for 23 years at the University of Manchester before moving to Wrexham Glyndwr University in 2010 and lived for more than 25 years in Stockport.
He has cycled a lot but more recently has been walking with the family dog, a Goberian (Husky/Golden Retriever cross). His hobbies are electronics and DIY, the latter born of necessity living in a very old house! He also enjoys baking and is known for randomly bringing cakes to work, also for his videos of baking on the intranet.
His research interests are driven by looking for ways of making composites to reduce the environmental footprint and increase energy efficiency. The research is undertaken is a state of the art laboratory which is at the Advanced Composites Training and Development Centre, a joint activity between WGU and Airbus, situated at the Airbus site in Broughton.
My research is based around rapid manufacture of ceramic and polymer -based composites. Many, this is through the use of microwave heating to speed up the processing time. Often we use bespoke equipment designed by us to undertake the processing with extensive use of fibre optic thermometry to follow the curing. Sometime high frequency modelling is used in the design of these systems. The rapid curing can have repercussions on the structure and properties of the materials formed so a secondary interest is using a wide range of analytical techniques to explore structural and chemical changes. So techniques such as solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis such as differential scanning calorimetry are used. Our laboratory has a broad range of thermal analysis facilities as well as mechanical and impact testing over a wide temperature range. This enables us to cover the range of temperatures normally experienced in aerospace materials. Due to the interest in microwave processing we also can measure dielectric properties over at 2.45 and 5 GHz and can measure dielectric properties with temperature.
Publications
| Year | Publication | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | A review of impact drop testing of composite laminate plates, Brown, Lee;Monir, Shafiul;Jones, Martyn;Luhyna, Nataliia;Day, Richard;Vagapov, Yuriy | Other Publication |
| 2024 | A review of topology optimisation software for additive manufacturing: capability comparison, Miller, Marcel;Uria, Ikeya;Monir, Shafiul;Day, Richard;Jones, Martyn;Vagapov, Yuriy |
Other Publication |
| 2023 | A power budget analysis of an electrical uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) flying a basic mission profile, Bolam, Robert;Roque, Jhon Paul;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard;Slepchenkov, Mikhail |
Other Publication |
| 2023 | A test rig for thermal analysis of heat sinks for power electronic applications, Sharp, Andrew;Monir, Shafiul;Day, Richard;Vagapov, Yuriy;Dianov, Anton |
Other Publication |
| 2022 | Torque-speed characteristics for electrically powered rim driven fans and thrust comparison with a small conventional fan jet engine, Proc. 57th Int. Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC-2022), Istanbul, Turkey, 30 Aug. - 2. [DOI] R. C. Bolam, J. P. C. Roque, Y. Vagapov and R. J. Day |
Conference Publication |
| 2022 | Torque-speed characteristics for electrically powered rim driven fans and thrust comparison with a small conventional fan jet engine, Bolam, Robert;Roque, Jhon Paul;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard |
Other Publication |
| 2022 | Temperature gradient improvement of power semiconductor modules cooled using forced air heat sink, Sharp, Andrew;Monir, Shafiul;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard |
Other Publication |
| 2021 | Simulation of carbon fibre composites in an industrial microwave, MATERIALS TODAY-PROCEEDINGS. [DOI] Nuhiji, Betime;Bower, Matthew P.;Swait, Timothy;Phadnis, Vaibhav;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J. |
Conference Publication |
| 2021 | The Effects of Absorbing Materials on the Homogeneity of Composite Heating by Microwave Radiation, Materials, 14. [DOI] Nuhiji, Betime;Bower, Matthew P.;Proud, William A. E.;Burpo, Steven J.;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J.;Swait, Timothy |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2021 | Aerodynamic Analysis and Design of a Rim-Driven Fan for Fast Flight, JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER, 37. [DOI] Bolam, Robert C.;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard J.;Anuchin, Alecksey |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2020 | Aerodynamic Analysis and Design of a Rim-Driven Fan for Fast Flight, [DOI] Bolam, Robert;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard;Anuchin, Alecksey |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2019 | Tooling materials compatible with carbon fibre composites in a microwave environment, Composites Part B: Engineering, 163. [DOI] Nuhiji, Betime;Swait, Timothy;Bower, Matthew P.;Green, James E.;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2018 | Carbon Nanotube Technology as an Option for Future Computing Devices, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN COMPUTING, ICETIC 2018. [DOI] Luhyna, Nataliia;Excell, Peter;Day, Richard J.;McMillan, Alison J.;Inam, Fawad;Osanlou, Ardeshir |
Conference Publication |
| 2018 | Composite Material Evaluation at Cryogenic Temperatures for Applications in Space-Based Far-Infrared Astronomical Instrumentation, ADVANCES IN OPTICAL AND MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION III. [DOI] Spencer, Locke D.;Veenendaal, Ian T.;Naylor, David A.;Gom, Brad G.;Sitwell, Geoffrey R. H.;Huber, Anthony I.;Christiansen, Adam;Benson, Chris S.;Gunuganti, Sudhakar;Jones, Martyn;Day, Richard;Walker, David;Zobeiry, Navid;Poursartip, Anoush |
Conference Publication |
| 2017 | Internal Model Control of a Domestic Microwave for Carbon Composite Curing, [DOI] Green, J E;Nuhiji, B;Zivtins, K;Bower, P;Grainger, R V;Day, Richard;Scaife, R J |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2017 | Internal Model Control of a Domestic Microwave for Carbon Composite Curing, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, 65. [DOI] Green, James E.;Nuhiji, Betime;Zivtins, Karlis;Bower, Matthew P.;Grainger, Richard V.;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2017 | Aerospace composite cured by quickstep and autoclave processing techniques: Evaluation and comparison of reaction progress, Aerospace Science and Technology, 65. [DOI] Khan, Laraib A.;Kausar, Ayesha;Day, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2015 | Determination of Key Mechanical Properties for Simulating Delamination Damage in Impacted Bonded Joints of Composites, PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR COMPOSITES: THIRTIETH TECHNICAL CONFERENCE. Choudhry, R. S.;Li, S.;Day, R.;Hassan, S. F. |
Conference Publication |
| 2015 | Damage in single lap joints of woven fabric reinforced polymeric composites subjected to transverse impact loading, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMPACT ENGINEERING, 80. [DOI] Choudhry, R. S.;Hassan, Syed F.;Li, S.;Day, R. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2014 | Cure Characterization of Cycom 977-2A Carbon/Epoxy Composites for Quickstep Processing, Polymer Engineering and Science, 54. [DOI] Khan, Laraib A.;Kausar, Ayesha;Hussain, Syed Tajammul;Iqbal, Zafar;Day, Richard J.;Syed, Ahmed Shuja;Khan, Zaffar M. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2013 | Determination of optimum cure parameters of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composites for quickstep processing, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 129. [DOI] Khan, Laraib A.;Iqbal, Zafar;Hussain, Syed Tajammul;Kausar, Ayesha;Day, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2013 | Effect of hygrothermal conditioning on the fracture toughness of carbon/epoxy composites cured in autoclave/Quickstep, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 32. [DOI] Khan, Laraib Alam;Mahmood, Ali Hasan;Syed, Ahmed Shuja;Khan, Zaffar M.;Day, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2013 | Effect of double vacuum bagging (DVB) in quickstep processing on the properties of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composites, Polymer Composites, 34. [DOI] Khan, Laraib Alam;Mahmood, Ali Hasan;Ahmed, S.;Day, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2013 | A Test Rig for the Calibration of Strain Sensing Carbon Fibre, Durieux, Olivier;Day, Richard;Vagapov, Yuriy |
Other Publication |
| 2012 | A Review of Cutting-edge Techniques for Material Selection, ACMTAA 2012: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS. Brifcani, Noon;Day, Richard;Walker, David;Hughes, Suzanne;Ball, Ken;Price, Dave |
Conference Publication |
| 2010 | Hygrothermal degradation of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composite laminates cured in autoclave and Quickstep, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 41. [DOI] Khan, Laraib A.;Nesbitt, Alan;Day, Richard J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2010 | Electrical and Material Characterization of Field-aged 400 kV Silicone Rubber Composite Insulators, IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 17. Rowland, S. M.;Robertson, J.;Xiong, Y.;Day, R. J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2008 | Comparison of the mechanical and physical properties of a carbon fibre epoxy composite manufactured by resin transfer moulding using conventional and microwave heating, Composites Science and Technology, 68. [DOI] Papargyris, D. A.;Day, R. J.;Nesbitt, A.;Bakavos, D. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2008 | Comparison of the mechanical and physical properties of a carbon fibre epoxy composite manufactured by resin transfer moulding using conventional and microwave heating, Composites Science and Technology, 68. [DOI] Papargyris, D. A.;Day, R. J.;Nesbitt, A.;Bakavos, D. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2008 | Surface analysis of asymmetrically aged 400 kV silicone rubber composite insulators, IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 15. Xiong, Y.;Rowland, S. M.;Robertson, J.;Day, R. J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2007 | Comparison of the curing kinetics of a DGEBA/acid anhydride epoxy resin system using differential scanning calorimetry and a microwave-heated calorimeter, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 104. [DOI] Navabpour, P.;Nesbitt, A.;Mann, T.;Day, R. J. |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2007 | Effect of cure cycle heat transfer rates on the physical properties of an epoxy matrix composite, ADVANCES IN COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, PTS 1 AND 2. Davies, L. W.;Day, R. J.;Bond, D.;Nesbitt, A.;Elliss, J.;Gardon, E. |
Conference Publication |
| 2006 | Comparison of the Curing Kinetics of the RTM6 Epoxy Resin System Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and a Microwave-Heated Calorimeter, Navabpour, Parnia;Nesbitt, Alan;Degamber, B;Fernando, G;Mann, Tim;Day, Richard |
Other Journal |
| 2006 | Investigation of the microwave curing of the PR500 epoxy resin system, Journal of Materials Science, 41. [DOI] Wallace, Mark;Attwood, David;Day, Richard J.;Heatley, Frank |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2004 | Development of a microwave calorimeter for simultaneous thermal analysis,, Nesbitt, Alan;Navabpour, P;Degamber, B;Nightingale, C;Fernando, G;Day, Richard |
Other Journal |
| 2004 | Development of a microwave calorimeter for simultaneous thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and dielectric measurements, MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 15. [DOI] Nesbitt, A;Navabpour, P;Degamber, B;Nightingale, C;Mann, T;Fernando, GF;Day, RJ |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2003 | Comparison of microwave and thermal cure of unsaturated polyester resin, Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 32. [DOI] Rahmat, AR;Heatley, F;Day, RJ |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2002 | Flexural and interlaminar shear strength properties of carbon fibre/epoxy composites cured thermally and with microwave radiation, Nightingale, C;Day, Richard |
Other Journal |
| 2002 | Flexural and interlaminar shear strength properties of carbon fibre/epoxy composites cured thermally and with microwave radiation, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 33. Nightingale, C;Day, RJ |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2001 | Conversion of polycarbosilane (PCS) to SiC-based ceramic - Part 1. Characterisation of PCS and curing products, Journal of Materials Science, 36. Ly, HQ;Taylor, R;Day, RJ;Heatley, F |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2001 | Conversion of polycarbosilane (PCS) to SiC-based ceramic - Part II - Pyrolysis and characterisation, Journal of Materials Science, 36. Ly, HQ;Taylor, R;Day, RJ;Heatley, F |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2001 | Carbon fibre-reinforced CMCs by PCS infiltration, Journal of Materials Science, 36. Ly, HQ;Taylor, R;Day, RJ |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 1998 | Investigation of the Micromechanics of the Microbond Test, Day, Richard;Cauich Rodrigez, J V |
Other Journal |
| 1998 | Effect of microwave post-curing upon the micromechanics of model Kevlar/epoxy composites, Day, Richard;Yau, Siu Hua Charlotte;Hewson, Karl D |
Other Journal |
| 1998 | Oxidation protection coatings for C/SiC based on yttrium silicate, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 18. Webster, JD;Westwood, ME;Hayes, FH;Day, RJ;Taylor, R;Duran, A;Aparicio, M;Rebstock, K;Vogel, WD |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 1992 | SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND STRUCTURE OF GLASSY DIACETYLENE-CONTAINING SEGMENTED BLOCK COPOLYURETHANES, Macromolecules, 25. HU, X;STANFORD, JL;DAY, RJ;YOUNG, RJ |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
Honors and Awards
| Date | Title | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Fellow Learned Society of Wales | Learned Society of Wales |
| 2013 | Fellow Royal Aeronautical Society | Royal Aeronautical Society |
| 2011 | Fellow Institute of Physics | Institute of Physics |
| 1989 | Chartered Physicist Institute of Physics | Institute of Physics |
| 2020 | Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining | Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining |
Committees
| Name | From/To |
|---|---|
| Materials and Characterisation Group Committee, Institute of Physics | 2021 |
| Research Committee | 2016 |
| Academic Board | 2016 |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From/To |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham Glyndwr University | Pro Vice Chancellor Research | 2016 - 2030 |
| Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, University of Sheffield | Secondment | 2016 - 2018 |
| Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, University of Sheffield/ National Composites Centre | High Value Manfacturing Catapult Fellow | 2014 - 2018 |
| Manchester University | Visiting Professor | 2010 - 2013 |
Education
| Institution | Qualification | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Mary, University of London | BSc | Physics |
| Queen Mary, University of London | PhD | Physics |
| University of Bristol | MSc | Physics of Materials |
Recent Postgraduate Students
| Year | Name | Degree | Thesis Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Natalia Luhyna | PhD | Cure Kinetics of Nanocomposite Epoxy Resin Systems During Conventional and Microwave Cure, |
| 2021 | Martyn Jones | PhD | Carbon fibre reinforced plastic mirrors for space and air observations |
| 2020 | Sergey Rumyansev | PhD | Microwave Heating Applied to Curing of a Carbon-Fibre-Epoxy Composite Cylinder |