Dr Fred Davis

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+44 (0) 118 378 8455
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Associate Professor
- Associate Professor in Organic Chemistry
- Examinations Officer.
Office
227Building location
ChemistryAreas of interest
Dr Davis's research interests centre upon the synthesis and characterisation of polymeric materials for the development of new properties and behaviours. The research involves a mixture of synthetic chemistry together with structural determination using for example X-ray and neutron scattering techniques.He is particularly interested in polymer orientation and electrospinning to generate polymer fibres with sub-micron diameters and is organiser with the Institute of Physics of the series of conferences "Electrospinning, Principles, Possibilities and Practice".
In addition, he is interested in the application of polymer characterisation techniques to food science. For example, he is currently involved in a project to produce sustainable polymeric fibres from food waste material.
Read more about Dr Davis's research interests
Learn about supercapacitors
Learn about the electrospinning project
Research centres and groups
Dr Davis is part of the Soft Matter research group.Learn more about our research groups
Professional bodies/affiliations
- Macro Group Committee Polymer Roadshow Officer
- University and College Union Local Safety Rep.
Publications
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Fountain, M.
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Delgado, A.
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Deakin, G.
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Davis, F.
ORCID: 0000-0003-0462-872X , Hemer, S. (2023) Light spectra blocking films reduce numbers of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa. Agricultural and Forest Entomology , 25 (1). pp. 1-8. ISSN: 1461-9563 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/afe.12526
- Reeves, S. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2022) Ferronematic liquid crystal polymers and elastomers. MATERIAIS 2022 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/materproc2022008135
- Mohan, S. , Davis, F. , Badiee, A. , Hadley, P. , Twitchen, C. , Pearson, S. , Gargan, K. (2021) Optical and thermal properties of commercial polymer film, modelling the albedo effect. Journal of Applied Polymer Science , 138 (24). ISSN: 0021-8995 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.50581
- Singh, U. , Mohan, S. , Davis, F. (2020) Selective Bragg reflection of visible light from coaxial electrospun fiber mats. Journal of Applied Polymer Science , 138 (2). ISSN: 0021-8995 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.49647
- Fountain, M. , Badiee, A. , Hemer, S. , Delgado, A. , Mangan, M. , Dowding, C. , Davis, F. , Pearson, S. (2020) The use of light spectrum blocking films to reduce populations of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura in fruit crops. Scientific Reports , 10 ISSN: 2045-2322 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72074-8
- Mohan, S. , Nazhipkyzy, M. , Carreira, P. , Santos, C. , Davis, F. , Mateus, A. , Mitchell, G. (2019) Direct digital manufacturing of nanocomposites. Applied Mechanics and Materials , 890 pp. 92-97. ISSN: 1662-7482 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.890.92
- Singh, U. , Mohan, S. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2019) Modifying the thermomechanical properties of electrospun fibres of poly‑vinyl cinnamate by photo‑cross‑linking. SN Applied Sciences ISSN: 2523-3971 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42452-018-0033-8
- Afsar, A. , Westwood, J. , Distler, P. , Harwood, L. , Mohan, S. , John, J. , Davis, F. (2018) Separation of Am(III) from Cm(III) and Eu(III) by electro-spun polystyrene- immobilized CyMe4-BTPhen. Tetrahedron , 74 (38). pp. 5258-5262. ISSN: 0040-4020 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2018.04.037
- Zhong, J. , Mohan, S. , Bell, A. , Terry, A. , Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. (2018) Electrospinning of food-grade nanofibres from whey protein. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules , 113 pp. 764-773. ISSN: 0141-8130 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.02.113
- Mitchell, G. , Wangsoub, S. , Davis, F. , Olley, R. (2017) Shear suppression of crystal nucleation in a low molar mass compound/polymer solution. SciFed Materials Research Letters , 1 (1).
- Mitchell, G. , Mateus, A. , Davis, F. , Mohan, S. , Gkourmpis, T. , Youngs, T. (2017) New tools for understanding complex polymer behaviour. Procedia Manufacturing , 12 pp. 280-290. ISSN: 2351-9789 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2017.08.031
- Alazab, M. , Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. , Mohan, S. (2017) Sustainable electrospinning of nanoscale fibres. Procedia Manufacturing , 12 pp. 66-78. ISSN: 2351-9789 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2017.08.009
- Cranwell, P. , Davis, F. , Elliott, J. , McKendrick, J. , Page, E. , Spillman, M. (2017) Encouraging independent thought and learning in first year practical classes. New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences , 12 (1). ISSN: 2051-3615
- Dumitriu, R. , Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. , Vasile, C. (2017) Functionalized coatings by electrospinning for anti-oxidant food packaging. Procedia Manufacturing , 12 pp. 59-65. ISSN: 2351-9789 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2017.08.008
- Mitchell, G. , Wangsoub, S. , Nogales, A. , Davis, F. , Olley, R. (2016) Controlling morphology using low molar mass nucleators. In: Mitchell, G. and Tojeira, A. , (eds.) Controlling the Morphology of Polymers: Multiple Scales of Structure and Processing. Springer pp. 145-161. ISBN: 9783319393209 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39322-3
- Mohan, S. , Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. (2016) Development of molecular anisotropy in centrifugally spun fibers as compared to electrospun fibers. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering , 31 (11). pp. 1313-1319. ISSN: 1439-2054 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mame.201600275
- Tawfeeq, A. , Culham, A. , Davis, F. , Reeves, M. (2016) Does fertilizer type and method of application cause significant differences in essential oil yield and composition in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)?. Industrial Crops and Products ISSN: 0926-6690 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.03.026
- Nazhipkyzy, M. , Mohan, S. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2015) Carbon nanotubes in electrospun polyethylene oxide nanofibres: a potential route to conducting nanofibres.
- Singh, U. , Spink, M. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2015) Morphology of polymer networks formed in the chiral and non chiral phases of an anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal. Chemical Physics Letters , 641 pp. 80-83. ISSN: 0009-2614 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2015.10.047
- Ma, F. , Bell, A. , Davis, F. (2015) Effect of high-hydrostatic pressure and pH treatments on the emulsification properties of gum arabic. Food Chemistry , 184 pp. 114-121. ISSN: 0308-8146 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.03.075
- Ma, F. , Bell, A. , Davis, F. , Chai, Y. (2015) Effects of high hydrostatic pressure and chemical reduction on the emulsification properties of gum arabic. Food Chemistry , 173 pp. 567-576. ISSN: 0308-8146 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.10.046
- El-Hadi, A. , Mohan, S. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2014) Enhancing the crystallization and orientation of electrospinning poly (lactic acid) (PLLA) by combining with additives. Journal of Polymer Research , 21 (12). ISSN: 1572-8935 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10965-014-0605-2
- Mahendra, V. , Davis, F. , Hadley, P. , Gilbert, A. (2013) The design of UV absorbing systems for horticultural applications. ISRN Materials Science , 2013 ISSN: 2090-6099 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/604132
- Singh, U. , Davis, F. , Mohan, S. , Mitchell, G. (2013) Electro-active nanofibres electrospun from blends of poly-vinyl cinnamate and a cholesteric liquid crystalline silicone polymer. Journal of Materials Science , 48 (21). pp. 7613-7619. ISSN: 1573-4803 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7578-0
- Mohan, S. , Ahn, K. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2013) Chapter 16: Electrospinning of polymer solutions. In: Mitchell, G. , (eds.) Rheology : theory, properties and practical applications. Nova Science Publishers , New York. pp. 411-442. ISBN: 9781626189997
- Al-Habsi, N. , Davis, F. , Niranjan, K. (2013) Development of novel methods to determine crystalline glucose content of honey based on DSC, HPLC, and viscosity measurements and their use to examine the setting propensity of honey. Journal of Food Science , 78 (6). pp. E845-E852. ISSN: 1750-3841 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.12103
- Mitchell, G. , Bowron, D. , Mateus, A. , Bartolo, P. , Gkourmpis, T. , Phomphrai, K. , Lopez, D. , Davis, F. (2013) SANS/WANS time-resolving neutron scattering studies of polymer phase transitions using NIMROD. (MRS Online Proceedings Library, 1528, mrsf12-1528-vv06-04)
- Hermida-Merino, D. , Belal, M. , Greenland, B. , Woodward, P. , Slark, A. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. , Hamley, I. , Hayes, W. (2012) Electrospun supramolecular polymer fibres . European Polymer Journal , 48 (7). pp. 1249-1255. ISSN: 0014-3057 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2012.04.015
- Mitchell, G. , Ahn, K. , Davis, F. (2011) The potential of electrospinning in rapid manufacturing processes. Virtual & Physical Prototyping , 6 (2). pp. 63-77. ISSN: 1745-2767 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2011.590387
- Davis, F. and Mitchell, G. (2011) Polymeric materials for rapid manufacturing. In: Bártolo, P. , (eds.) Stereolithography: materials, processes and applications. Springer pp. 113-139. ISBN: 9780387929033 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92904-0_5
- Mohan, S. , Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. (2011) Chain extension in electrospun polystyrene fibres: a SANS study. Soft Matter , 7 pp. 4397-4404. ISSN: 1744-683X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c0sm01442g
- Mohan, S. , Davis, F. , Olley, R. , Mitchell, G. (2010) Modelling small angle neutron scattering data from electrospun fibres. Journal of Physics: Conference Series , 247 (1). pp. 12042. ISSN: 1742-6596 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/247/1/012042
- Kariduraganavar, M. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. , Olley, R. (2010) Using an additive to control the electrospinning of fibres of poly(epsilon-caprolactone). Polymer International , 59 (6). pp. 827-835. ISSN: 0959-8103 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pi.2795
- Mohan, S. , Sen, S. , Mitchell, G. , Olley, R. , Davis, F. (2009) Electrospinning atactic polystyrene: A neutron scattering study. Journal of Physics: Conference Series , 183 ISSN: 1742-6588 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/183/1/012019
- Sen, S. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. , Robinson, E. (2009) Conducting nanofibres produced by electrospinning. Journal of Physics: Conference Series , 183 (1). ISSN: 1742-6588 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/183/1/012020
- Elliott, D. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. , Olley, R. (2009) Structure development in electrospun fibres of gelatin. Journal of Physics: Conference Series , 183 ISSN: 1742-6588 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/183/1/012021
- Mitchell, . , Mossman, . , Davis, . , Vaughan, . (2008) 75 years of polyethylene: past successes and future challenges. Journal of Applied Rheology , 18 (5). pp. 316-318. ISSN: 1430-6395 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3933/ApplRheol-18-316
- Kulkarni, . , Kittur, . , Kariduraganavar, . , Davis, . (2008) Pervaporation dehydration of isopropyl alcohol with NaY zeolite incorvorated hybrid membranes. Journal of Applied Polymer Science , 109 (3). pp. 2043-2053. ISSN: 0021-8995 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.28228
- Hosier, . , Vaughan, . , Sutton, . , Davis, . (2008) Chemical, physical and electrical properties of aged dodecylbenzene 2: thermal ageing of single isomers in air. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation , 15 (5). pp. 1393-1405. ISSN: 1070-9878
- Hosier, . , Vaughan, . , Sutton, . , Cooper, . , Davis, . (2008) Chemical, physical and electrical properties of aged dodecylbenzene 3: thermal ageing of mixed isomers in nitrogen and under sealed conditions. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation , 15 (4). pp. 1056-1064. ISSN: 1070-9878
- Davis, . and Mitchell, . (2008) Polyurethane based materials with applications in medical devices. In: Bártolo, . and Bidanda, . , (eds.) Bio-materials and prototyping applications in medicine. Springer , New York. pp. 27-48. ISBN: 9780387476827
- Tsormpatsidis, . , Henbest, . , Davis, F. , Battey, . , Hadley, . , Wagstaffe, . (2008) UV irradiance as a major influence on growth, development and secondary products of commercial importance in Lollo Rosso lettuce 'Revolution' grown under polyethylene films. Environmental and Experimental Botany , 63 (1-3). pp. 232-239. ISSN: 0098-8472 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2007.12.002
- Mitchell, G. , Belal, M. , Davis, F. , Elliott, D. , Kariduraganavar, M. , Mohan, S. , Olley, R. , Sen, S. (2008) Defining Structure in Electrospun Polymer Fibres. In: Tunkasiri, T. , (eds.) Smart Materials . Advanced Materials Research , 55-57. Trans Tech Publications Ltd , Stafa-Zurich. pp. 33-36. ISBN: 9780878493562 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.55-57.33
- Wangsoub, S. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. , Olley, R. (2008) Enhanced Templating in the Crystallisation of Poly(E-caprolactone) Using 1,3:2,4-di(4-Chlorobenzylidene) Sorbitol . Macromolecular Rapid Communications , 29 (23). pp. 1861-1865. ISSN: 1022-1336 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/marc.200800497
- Hosier, . , Vaughan, . , Sutton, . , Davis, . (2007) Chemical, physical and electrical properties of aged dodecylbenzene: thermal ageing of mixed isomers in air. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation , 14 (5). pp. 1113-1124. ISSN: 1070-9878
- Vaughan, A. , Hosier, I. , Sutton, S. , Davis, F. (2005) On the electrical properties of insulation oils. pp. 221-224.
- Hosier, I. , Vaughan, A. , Sutton, S. , Davis, F. (2005) Chemical and physical properties of aged dodecylbenzene insulating oil. pp. 225-228.
- Santulli, C. , Patel, S. , Jeronimidis, G. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2005) Development of smart variable stiffness actuators using polymer hydrogels. Smart Materials & Structures , 14 (2). pp. 434-440. ISSN: 0964-1726 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/14/2/018
- Channuan, W. , Siripitayananon, J. , Molloy, R. , Sriyai, M. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (2005) The structure of crystallisable copolymers of L-lactide, epsilon-caprolactone and glycolide. Polymer , 46 (17). pp. 6411-6428. ISSN: 0032-3861 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2005.04.097
- Aragrag, N. , Castiglione, D. , Davies, P. , Davis, F. , Patel, . (2004) General procedures in chain-growth polymerization. In: Davis, F. , (eds.) Polymer Chemistry: A Practical Approach. Oxford University Press pp. 43-98. ISBN: 9780198503095
- Davis, F. , eds. (2004) Polymer chemistry: a practical approach . Practical approach in chemistry Oxford University Press , Oxford. ISBN: 9780198503095
- Fletcher, J. , Tatsiopoulou, A. , Hadley, P. , Davis, F. , Henbest, R. (2004) Growth, yield and development of strawberry cv. 'Elsanta' under novel photoselective film clad greenhouses. In: Papadopoulos, . , (eds.) Protected cultivation 2002: in search of structures, systems and plant materials for sustainable greenhouse production . Acta Horticulturae , 633. International Society for Horticultural Science , Leuven. pp. 99-106. ISBN: 9789066056275 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.633.11
- Hosier, I. , Vaughan, A. , Mitchell, G. , Siripitayananon, J. , Davis, F. (2004) Polymer characterization. In: Davis, F. , (eds.) Polymer Chemistry: A Practical Approach. Oxford University Press pp. 1-42. ISBN: 9780198503095
- Mitchell, G. , Hasson, C. , Davis, F. (2001) Temperature insensitive chiral optical films prepared through the soft imprinting of liquid crystal elastomers. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society , 222 pp. U395. ISSN: 0065-7727
- Hirschmann, H. , Roberts, P. , Davis, F. , Guo, W. , Hasson, C. , Mitchell, G. (2001) Liquid crystalline elastomers: the relationship between macroscopic behaviour and the level of backbone anisotropy. Polymer , 42 (16). pp. 7063-7071. ISSN: 0032-3861 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0032-3861(01)00135-5
- West, J. , Pearson, S. , Hadley, P. , Wheldon, A. , Davis, F. , Gilbert, A. , Henbest, R. (2000) Spectral filters for the control of Botrytis cinerea. Annals of Applied Biology , 136 (2). pp. 115-120. ISSN: 0003-4746 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7348.2000.tb00015.x
- Symons, A. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (1999) Side-chain liquid crystalline elastomers: the relationship between the orientational ordering of the polymer backbone and the length of the coupling chain. Polymer , 40 (19). pp. 5365-5370. ISSN: 0032-3861 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0032-3861(98)00745-9,
- Roberts, P. , Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. (1997) A single director switching mode for monodomain liquid crystal elastomer. Journal de Physique II , 7 (10). pp. 1337-1351. ISSN: 1155-4312 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jp2:1997190
- Mitchell, G. , Roberts, P. , Ahn, K. , Davis, F. , Hasson, C. , Hirschmann, H. , Pople, J. (1997) Coupling and memory in liquid crystal elastomers. Macromolecular Symposia , 117 (1). pp. 21-31. ISSN: 1022-1360 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/masy.19971170106
- King, N. , Whale, E. , Davis, F. , Gilbert, A. , Mitchell, G. (1997) Effect of media polarity on the photoisomerisation of substituted stilbene, azobenzene and imine chromophores. Journal of Materials Chemistry , 7 (4). pp. 625-630. ISSN: 0959-9428 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/A607980F
- Alegria, A. , Echave, J. , Davis, F. , Guo, W. , Mitchell, G. (1994) Dielectric relaxation around the nematic-isotropic transition of liquid crystalline polymers. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids , 172-174 (2). pp. 966-971. ISSN: 0022-3093 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3093(94)90607-6
- Mitchell, G. , Coulter, M. , Davis, F. , Guo, W. (1992) The effect of the spacer length on the nature of coupling in side chain liquid crystals polymers and elastomers. Journal de Physique II , 2 (5). pp. 1121-1132. ISSN: 1155-4312 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jp2:1992190
- Kassim, A. , Block, H. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (1992) Anisotropic films of polypyrrole formed electrochemically using a non-planar dopant. Journal of Materials Chemistry , 2 (9). pp. 987-988. ISSN: 0959-9428 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/JM9920200987
- Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. , Guo, W. , Cywinski, R. (1991) Coupling between mesogenic units and polymer backbone in side-chain liquid crystal polymers and elastomers. Polymer , 32 (8). pp. 1347-1353. ISSN: 0032-3861 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0032-3861(91)90412-C
- Legge, C. , Davis, F. , Mitchell, G. (1991) Memory effects in liquid crystal elastomers. Journal de Physique II , 1 (10). pp. 1253-1261. ISSN: 1155-4312 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jp2:1991131
- Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. , Kiani, M. (1990) Influence of synthesis on the structure of electrochemically prepared electrically conducting polymers. British Polymer Journal , 23 (1-2). pp. 157-164. | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pi.4980230126
- Mitchell, G. , Davis, F. , Legge, C. (1988) The effect of dopant molecules on the molecular order of electrically-conducting films of polypyrrole. Synthetic Metals , 26 (3). pp. 247-257. ISSN: 0379-6779 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0379-6779(88)90241-X
- Davis, F. and Mitchell, G. (1987) Mechanically induced molecular switching in liquid-crystal elastomers. Polymer Communications , 28 (1). pp. 8-11. ISSN: 0263-6476