All Outputs (55)

Demanufacturing of thermoplastic composites: Small scale experiments exploring ply separation and recovery (2024)
Journal Article
Parsons, A. J., Johnson, M. S., Piano, S., & De Focatiis, D. S. (2025). Demanufacturing of thermoplastic composites: Small scale experiments exploring ply separation and recovery. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 190, Article 108626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108626

Thermoplastic composites are intrinsically suited to recycling, but processes are poorly realised. Methods applied to thermosets are energy intensive, resulting in fibre downgrading and matrix loss. With digital manufacturing and data intertwining, t... Read More about Demanufacturing of thermoplastic composites: Small scale experiments exploring ply separation and recovery.

Repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement of prepreg tack following ASTM D8336: Results of a round-robin study (2024)
Journal Article
Joesbury, A. M., Endruweit, A., Budelmann, D., Giannis, S. P., De Focatiis, D. S., Call, D. B., Chan, C., Choong, G. Y., Clark, R. A., Collins, J. A., Fishpool, D. T., Garber, J. M., Ghose, S., Golding, J., Good, S. T., Jones, B. R., Meiners, D., Niitsoo, O., Palmer, C. T., Qian, C. C., …Yuan, H. (2025). Repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement of prepreg tack following ASTM D8336: Results of a round-robin study. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 188, Article 108561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108561

This study reports the findings from a round robin test exercise investigating ASTM D8336, a method for the measurement of tack of prepregs applicable to automated material placement technologies. Twelve participants tested two prepreg materials in a... Read More about Repeatability and reproducibility of the measurement of prepreg tack following ASTM D8336: Results of a round-robin study.

Effects of oil palm trunk biochar as filler on physical and mechanical properties of deproteinised and epoxidised natural rubber latex foam (2024)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., Mohd. Rasdi, F. R., De Focatiis, D. S. A., Ong, S. K., & Bachmann, R. T. (2024). Effects of oil palm trunk biochar as filler on physical and mechanical properties of deproteinised and epoxidised natural rubber latex foam. Journal of Rubber Research, 27, 623-637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-024-00283-1

Oil palm trunk biochar (OPTB) serves as a flame-retardant additive aimed at enhancing the thermal stability of natural rubber (NR) latex foam. This study explores whether OPTB affects the physical and mechanical properties of specialty NR (SpNR) late... Read More about Effects of oil palm trunk biochar as filler on physical and mechanical properties of deproteinised and epoxidised natural rubber latex foam.

Dynamic behavior of polymers (2024)
Book Chapter
Siviour, C. R., & De Focatiis, D. S. (2024). Dynamic behavior of polymers. In Dynamic Behavior of Materials: Fundamentals, Material Models, and Microstructure Effects (553-595). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-99153-7.00013-x

Measuring, understanding, and modeling the high strain rate properties of polymers are of importance in a wide range of applications. These properties also give unique insight into the processes governing polymer deformation. Compared to metals, howe... Read More about Dynamic behavior of polymers.

Development of Deproteinized Natural Rubber Latex Foam for Seat Cushions (2023)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., & De Focatiis, D. S. (2023). Development of Deproteinized Natural Rubber Latex Foam for Seat Cushions. Key Engineering Materials, 962, 29-37. https://doi.org/10.4028/p-hwlt4p

In the transportation industry, seat cushions are crucial since they are directly responsible for the comfort and safety of the occupant. In this study, recently developed deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex foam is used to make seat cushions f... Read More about Development of Deproteinized Natural Rubber Latex Foam for Seat Cushions.

Compressive Stress-Strain and Rebound Resilience Properties of Deproteinized Natural Rubber Latex Foam (2023)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., & De Focatiis, D. S. (2023). Compressive Stress-Strain and Rebound Resilience Properties of Deproteinized Natural Rubber Latex Foam. Key Engineering Materials, 962, 39-44. https://doi.org/10.4028/p-a5zmst

Deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex is a modified version of natural rubber (NR) latex that is hypoallergenic and odorless when used in products. However, due to the lack of studies in this field, there are relatively few DPNR latex foam produc... Read More about Compressive Stress-Strain and Rebound Resilience Properties of Deproteinized Natural Rubber Latex Foam.

Effects of oil palm trunk biochar on the thermal stability and acoustic properties of specialty natural rubber latex foam (2023)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., Mohd. Rasdi, F. R., De Focatiis, D. S. A., Ong, S. K., & Bachmann, R. T. (2023). Effects of oil palm trunk biochar on the thermal stability and acoustic properties of specialty natural rubber latex foam. Journal of Rubber Research, 26(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-023-00193-8

Specialty natural rubber (SpNR) latex foam is a natural-based acoustic foam material, that can substitute conventional synthetic foams to control noise pollution in buildings and in the transportation industry. However, the thermal stability of SpNR... Read More about Effects of oil palm trunk biochar on the thermal stability and acoustic properties of specialty natural rubber latex foam.

Anisotropic swelling of rubber: extension of the Flory theory (2022)
Journal Article
Fernandes, V. A., & De Focatiis, D. S. A. (2022). Anisotropic swelling of rubber: extension of the Flory theory. Journal of Rubber Research, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00183-2

The anisotropy of the swelling of rubber is examined both theoretically and experimentally. The Flory theory is extended to account for anisotropic swelling, allowing the determination of the average molecular weight between cross-links for rubber wi... Read More about Anisotropic swelling of rubber: extension of the Flory theory.

The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex (2022)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., Rasdi, F. R. M., & De Focatiis, D. S. A. (2022). The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex. Journal of Rubber Research, 25(4), 321-336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-022-00178-z

Acoustic foam materials are used to control noise pollution in a wide range of applications, including buildings and the transportation industry. This study explores the feasibility of replacing conventional acoustic foam made of synthetic material w... Read More about The acoustic properties of latex foam made from deproteinized natural rubber latex and epoxidized natural rubber latex.

Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers (2022)
Journal Article
Atkinson, R. L., Elsmore, M., Smith, S., Reynolds-Green, M., Topham, P. D., Toolan, D. T., Derry, M. J., Monaghan, O., Taresco, V., Irvine, D. J., Stockman, R. A., De Focatiis, D. S., & Howdle, S. M. (2022). Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers. European Polymer Journal, 179, Article 11567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111567

We report the synthesis of novel terpene-based monomers: nopinyl acrylate and methacrylate, from naturally abundant β-pinene. A very high Tg value was observed for poly(nopinyl methacrylate) when synthesised by free radical polymerisation, and well-d... Read More about Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers.

Biomimetic folding of triangular deployable membranes (2022)
Journal Article
Tang, Y., Beccarelli, P., Guo, H., Liu, R., De Focatiis, D., & Deng, Z. (2022). Biomimetic folding of triangular deployable membranes. Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, 17(6), Article 066002. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/ac7fd3

Deployable membranes are being increasingly applied in numerous space projects owing to their light weight, small stowage volume and capacity for use at large scales. The geometric design of biomimetic folding is studied to design crease patterns for... Read More about Biomimetic folding of triangular deployable membranes.

A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction (2022)
Journal Article
Monaghan, O. R., Skowron, S. T., Moore, J. C., Pin-Nó, M., Kortsen, K., Atkinson, R. L., Krumins, E., Lentz, J. C., Machado, F., Onat, Z., Brookfield, A., Collison, D., Khlobystov, A. N., De Focatiis, D., Irvine, D. J., Taresco, V., Stockman, R. A., & Howdle, S. M. (2022). A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction. Polymer Chemistry, 13(39), 5557-5567. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2py00878e

Crosslinking is a valuable route to creating new polymeric materials and normally involves introduction of a cross linker or some form of secondary processing. Here we report the discovery and analysis of a self-crosslinking sustainable terpene deriv... Read More about A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction.

Exploiting Generative Design for Multi-Material Inkjet 3D Printed Cell Instructive, Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composites (2022)
Preprint / Working Paper
he, Y., Begines, B., Trindade, G., Abdi, M., dubern, J.-F., Prina, E., Hook, A., Choong, G., Ledesma, J., Tuck, C., R. A. J. Rose, F., Hague, R., Roberts, C., De Focatiis, D., Ashcroft, I., Williams, P., Irvine, D., alexander, M., & Wildman, R. Exploiting Generative Design for Multi-Material Inkjet 3D Printed Cell Instructive, Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composites

As our understanding of disease grows, it is becoming established that treatment needs to be personalized and targeted to the needs of the individual. In this paper we show that multi-material inkjet-based 3D printing, when backed with generative des... Read More about Exploiting Generative Design for Multi-Material Inkjet 3D Printed Cell Instructive, Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composites.

Sustainable terpene triblock copolymers with tuneable properties for pressure sensitive adhesive applications (2022)
Journal Article
Elsmore, M., Atkinson, R., Irvine, D., Howdle, S., & De Focatiis, D. (2022). Sustainable terpene triblock copolymers with tuneable properties for pressure sensitive adhesive applications. Polymer Testing, 109, Article 107530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107530

A series of triblock copolymers in a hard-soft-hard block configuration with varying hard block α-pinene methacrylate content and molecular weight and butyl acrylate soft segment have been synthesised and investigated for viability in pressure sensit... Read More about Sustainable terpene triblock copolymers with tuneable properties for pressure sensitive adhesive applications.

Characterizing friction for fiber reinforced composites manufacturing: Method development and effect of process parameters (2022)
Journal Article
Das, A., Choong, G. Y. H., Dillard, D. A., De Focatiis, D. S. A., & Bortner, M. J. (2022). Characterizing friction for fiber reinforced composites manufacturing: Method development and effect of process parameters. Composites Part B: Engineering, 236, Article 109777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.109777

In automated layup manufacturing processes of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, the quality of the manufactured part is strongly dependent on frictional behavior. Improper control of frictional forces can lead to defect formation. Frictional slidi... Read More about Characterizing friction for fiber reinforced composites manufacturing: Method development and effect of process parameters.

Preparation and characterization of speciality natural rubber latex concentrate (2022)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Bao, C. A., Hou, J. H., Kamaruddin, S., Rasdi, F. R. M., & De Focatiis, D. S. A. (2022). Preparation and characterization of speciality natural rubber latex concentrate. Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 95(1), 101-118. https://doi.org/10.5254/RCT.21.79945

Conventionally, specialty natural rubber (SpNR) latex, namely deproteinised natural rubber (DPNR) latex and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex, are prepared from low ammonia latex (LATZ) causing high material cost. To address this issue, the objec... Read More about Preparation and characterization of speciality natural rubber latex concentrate.

Specialty natural rubber latex foam: foamability study and fabrication process (2021)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Ho, J. H., Kamaruddin, S., Rasdi, F. R. M., & De Focatiis, D. S. A. (2022). Specialty natural rubber latex foam: foamability study and fabrication process. Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 95(3), 492-513. https://doi.org/10.5254/rct.21.78938

Specialty natural rubber (SpNR) latex namely deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) latex and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex have been produced to meet specific product’s requirements. However, SpNR is normally used in the form of block rubber to... Read More about Specialty natural rubber latex foam: foamability study and fabrication process.

Development of latex foam pillows from deproteinized natural rubber latex (2021)
Journal Article
Ramli, R., Chai, A. B., Kamaruddin, S., Ho, J. H., Mohd. Rasdi, F. R., & De Focatiis, D. S. A. (2021). Development of latex foam pillows from deproteinized natural rubber latex. Journal of Rubber Research, 24(4), 615-630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00130-7

Currently there is significant demand for pillows with improved pressure-relief features made from natural materials, alternatives to petrochemical-based foams. In order to meet the requirements, this study's approach is to develop latex foam pillows... Read More about Development of latex foam pillows from deproteinized natural rubber latex.

Toward Exceptional Icephobicity with Chionophile-Inspired Durable Biomimetic Coatings (2021)
Journal Article
Memon, H., De Focatiis, D. S. A., Choi, K.-S., & Hou, X. (2021). Toward Exceptional Icephobicity with Chionophile-Inspired Durable Biomimetic Coatings. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 3(8), 4184-4194. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.1c00623

Liquid-infused polymeric surfaces have demonstrated promising icephobicity. However, the capability to maintain the icephobic performance after material damage has been a challenge, both in terms of conserving a smoother surface and the replenishment... Read More about Toward Exceptional Icephobicity with Chionophile-Inspired Durable Biomimetic Coatings.

Exploiting Generative Design for 3D Printing of Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composite Devices (2021)
Journal Article
He, Y., Abdi, M., Trindade, G. F., Begines, B., Dubern, J. F., Prina, E., Hook, A. L., Choong, G. Y., Ledesma, J., Tuck, C. J., Rose, F. R., Hague, R. J., Roberts, C. J., De Focatiis, D. S., Ashcroft, I. A., Williams, P., Irvine, D. J., Alexander, M. R., & Wildman, R. D. (2021). Exploiting Generative Design for 3D Printing of Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composite Devices. Advanced Science, 8(15), Article 2100249. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202100249

As the understanding of disease grows, so does the opportunity for personalization of therapies targeted to the needs of the individual. To bring about a step change in the personalization of medical devices it is shown that multi-material inkjet-bas... Read More about Exploiting Generative Design for 3D Printing of Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composite Devices.