Research Interests

• Solar cells, photovoltaic solar cells and hydrogen fuel cells:
  • Materials: polymers, nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes
  • Modelling of physical processes and materials; multi-phase modelling
  • Fabrication techniques
• Novel polymers and polymer nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications
• Development of actuating materials and components: experimental studies and FEA simulations
• Nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes
• Flow through deformable porous media: measurements, flow modelling and prediction of permeability tensor
• Tissue engineering: development of natural gels and scaffolds; novel orientation techniques for the orientation or self-assembly of oriented micro- and nano-fibres
• Processing of polymers and composite materials: experimental studies; process modelling of fabric/fibre forming, multi-phase flow and curing.
• Processing and modelling of structural and functional textiles.

Publications

1. C.Lekakou, I.Kontodimopoulos, A.K.Murugesh, D.A.Jesson, J.Watts and P.A.Smith “Processability studies of silica-thermoset polymer matrix nanocomposites”, Polymer Engineering and Science, proofs received and corrected, in press.

2. Lekakou, A. Hearn, A.K. Murugesh and B. Le Page, “Liquid composite moulding of fibre nanocomposites”, Materials Science and Technology (MST), 23(4), 2007, pp.487-491.

3. K.Kanas, C.Lekakou and N.Vrellos “FEA and experimental studies of adaptive composite materials with SMA wires”, Proc. The 2007 International Conference of Mechanics Engineering), WCE 2007, London, July 2007, Paper WCE_ICME_71

4. R.Duncan, V.Stolojan and C.Lekakou “Manufacture of carbon-multi-walled nanotubes by the arc discharge technique”, Proc. The 2007 International Conference of Mechanics Engineering), WCE 2007, London, July 2007, Paper WCE_ICME_31.

5. U. Vidyarthi, P. Zhdan, C. Gravanis and C. Lekakou “Gelatine-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites for orthopaedic applications”, Proc. The 2007 International Conference of Mechanics Engineering), WCE 2007, London, July 2007, Paper WCE_ICME_32

6. C.Lekakou, S.Edwards, G.Bell, S.C.Amico, “Computer Modelling For The Prediction Of The In-Plane Permeability Of Non-Crimp Stitch Bonded Fabrics”, Composites A Applied Sci. & Manufacturing, 37(6), 2006, Special Issue on FPCP-7, pp.820-825.

7. C. Lekakou, S.Cook, Y.Deng, T.W.Ang, G.T.Reed, “Optical fibre sensor for monitoring flow and resin curing in composites manufacturing”, Composites A Applied Sci. & Manufacturing, 37(6), 2006, Special Issue on FPCP 7, pp.934-938.

8. E.Heardman, C.Lekakou and M.G.Bader, “Flow monitoring and permeability measurement under constant and transient flow conditions”, Composites Science and Technology, 64(9), 2004, pp.1239-1249.

9. S.Amico and C.Lekakou “Flow through a two-scale porosity, oriented fibre porous medium”, Transport in Porous Media, 54(1), 2004, pp.35-53.

10. C.Lekakou, S.Cook, T.W.Ang and G.T.Reed “Optical fibre flow sensor for composites manufacturing”, Advanced Composites Letters, 12(5), 2003, pp.191-195.

11. S.C.Amico and C.Lekakou “Axial impregnation of a fibre bundle. Part 1. Capillary experiments”, Polymer Composites, 23(2), 2002, pp.249-263.

12. S.C.Amico and C.Lekakou “Axial impregnation of a fibre bundle. Part 2. Theoretical analysis” Polymer Composites, 23(2), 2002, pp.264-273.

13. L.Dong, C.Lekakou and M.G.Bader "Processing of composites: simulations of the draping of fabrics with updated material behaviour law", Journal of Composite Materials, 35(2), 2001, pp.138-163.

14. S.Amico and C.Lekakou “An experimental study of the permeability and capillary pressure in resin-transfer moulding”, Compos. Sci. Technol., 61 (13), 2001, pp. 1945-1959.

15. E.Heardman, C.Lekakou and M.G.Bader “In-plane permeability of sheared fabrics”, Composites A, 32 (7), 2001, pp.933-940.

16. S.Amico and C.Lekakou “Mathematical modelling of capillary micro-flow through woven fabrics”, Composites A, 31(12) special issue, 2000, pp.1331-1344.

17. L.Dong, C.Lekakou and M.G.Bader “Solid-mechanics finite element simulations of the draping of fabrics: a sensitivity analysis”, Composites A, 31(7), 2000, pp.639-652.

18. U.Mohammed, C.Lekakou, L.Dong and M.G.Bader “Shear deformation and micromechanics of woven fabrics”, Composites A, 31(4), 2000, pp.299-308.

19. R.A.Saunders, C.Lekakou and M.G.Bader 'Compression in the processing of polymer composites 1. A mechanical and microstructural study for different glass fabrics and resins', Composites Science and Technology, 59, 1999, pp.983-993.

20. R.A.Saunders, C.Lekakou and M.G.Bader 'Compression in the processing of polymer composites 2. Modelling of the viscoelastic compression of resin-impregnated fibre networks', Composites Science and Technology, 59, 1999, pp.1483-1494.

Complete list of publications

Current Research Programmes

• Development of electrically conductive transparent polymers and polymer composites.
• Development of actuating materials and components for optical displays, cameras, biomedical and aerospace applications: experimental studies and FEA simulations.
• Novel techniques of processing carbon nanotube-polymer composites to optimise structural, electrical and optical properties.
• Processing of nanocomposites
• Novel processing techniques for the production of self-assembled, oriented, biomimetic nanocomposites for the tissue engineering of grafts for vascular and orthopaedic applications.
• Manufacture of novel plastic photovoltaic cells

Research Highlights (PDF)

Processing of polymers and polymer composites and process modelling (176KB)

Modelling and measurements for textiles and material structures (116KB)

Multiphase flows in materials processing: polymer blends and liquid crystal polymers; phase formation and orientation (134KB)

Flow through porous media (131KB)

Porous films and polymer scaffolds in tissue engineering (245KB)

Sensors for flows and materials processing (120KB)

Biomedical materials and flows in biomedical engineering (50KB)