Professor Russell Varley
Details
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Department: School of Engineering
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Campus: City Campus Australia
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russell.varley2@rmit.edu.au
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ORCID:
0000-0002-3792-1140
About
Since gaining my PhD from the Materials Engineering Department at The University of Adelaide in 1998, I have spent more than 30 years at CSIRO, Deakin University and now RMIT University, using polymer chemistry to develop next generation composite materials and carbon fibre through control of the chemical structure and microstructure of polymer networks and materials chemistry. My interests include the design of processable, high performance and functional polymer composites, increasing the synthesis of monomers for improved toughness, stiffness and strength, self-healing, re-processability and fire retardancy. In more recent times, my research interests have expanded to include the synthesis of next generation carbon fibre using novel rapid oxidation methods, alternative precursors and novel architectures for enhanced sustainability and structural properties. As a research leader at both CSIRO and academia, I have and continue to lead a portfolio of externally funded projects focused on industrially relevant outcomes within the aerospace, automotive, construction, renewable energy and oil and gas sectors of the global economy.
Research fields
- 401609 Polymers and plastics
- 3403 Macromolecular and materials chemistry
- 401602 Composite and hybrid materials
UN sustainable development goals
- 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
- 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
Research interests
Early in my career I recognised the extra-ordinary properties of carbon fibre composites, particularly their lightweight high strength and stiffness properties, and their potential to revolutionise the design, manufacture, and durability of structures. The future opportunities for composite materials is exciting as emerging opportunities to apply polymer chemistry and materials science to create new carbon fibre composite materials for a safer and more sustainable world.
My research expertise is grounded by an in-depth understanding of structure-property-processing relationships in polymers and polymer networks, monomer and polymer synthesis, carbon fibre synthesis, self-healing materials, resin formulation and composite manufacturing methods.
I have a strong interest in sustainability, in particular: improving the constraining properties of carbon fibre composites, such as poor compression, flammability and lack of toughness; reducing high-embodied emissions during manufacture; and the creation of a local and sustainable value chain based on renewable rather than petrochemical sources.
