Areas of expertise
- Counter-IED
- Defence manufacturing
- Test and Evaluation
- Explosives and Munitions
Background
Professor Akhavan has a BSc (Hons) in chemistry, and an MPhil and PhD in polymer chemistry from Southampton University. She was a Research Fellow in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy at Southampton University and a Senior engineer at Pirelli General in polymeric optical fibres for short distance communication before joining Cranfield University in 1987.
Professor Akhavan is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Institute of Explosives Engineers. In 2018 she was selected as an independent member on the Defence Science Expert Committee as the UK expert in energetics, explosives and weapon technologies for a six-year term.
In 2016 Prof Akhavan established the Abel Building, a new state-of-the-art chemistry facility and centre of excellence for research and development in energetic materials. She has also been the inspiration behind the Centre of Excellence in Energetic Materials, working with the MoD and other agencies to deliver this new UK national capability.
Research opportunities
Her research interests are in synthesis and manufacture of high explosives.
Current activities
Professor Akhavan is the Head of the Centre for Defence Chemistry and works across teaching, research and consultancy in explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. She was the Course Director of the Explosives Ordnance Engineering MSc and leads a team of researchers in developing:
Energetic polymers
Home-made explosives
Insensitive high explosives
Ageing of explosives
Novel explosives
Detonics
Hazard and performance Testing of explosives
Clients
- Atomic Weapons Establishment
- Defence Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Safety Regulator (DOSR)
- Defence and Security Accelerator (MOD)
- Defence Ordnance Safety Group
- Defence Equipment and Support (MOD)
- Defence Intelligence (MOD)
- Defence Science and Technology Group
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology
- Department for Transport
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- European Space Agency
- Royal Air Force
- Chemring Group PLC
- Government Office for Science
- Centre for Applied Science and Technology (Home Office)
- Home Office
- Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
- MBDA UK Ltd
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Roxel (MBDA)
- Ministry of Defence
- BAE Systems PLC
- QinetiQ Group PLC
- Roke Manor Research Limited
- Airbus SE
- UK Space Agency
- US Department of Defense
- Weapons Sector Research Framework
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Lewis D, Padfield J, Connors S, Wilson I & Akhavan J. (2020). Further insights into the discoloration of TATB under ionizing radiation. Journal of Energetic Materials, 38(3)
- Stennett C, Gaulter S & Akhavan J. (2020). An Estimate of the TNT‐Equivalent Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) of the Beirut Port Explosion Using Publicly‐Available Tools and Data. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 45(11)
- Dossi E, Akhavan J, Gaulter SE, Williams RG & Doe WJ. (2018). Cross‐linking of Hydroxyl‐terminated Polyols with Triethyleneglycol Diglycidyl Ether: An Alternative to Toxic Isocyanates. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 43(3)
- McAteer D & Akhavan J. (2016). Nitrogen‐14 NMR Spectroscopic Detection of Explosophores in Solution. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 41(2)
- Contini AE, Flood N, McAteer D, Mai N & Akhavan J. (2015). Low hazard small-scale synthesis and chemical analysis of high purity nitroglycerine (NG). RSC Advances, 5(106)
- Akhavan J & Andrews MR. (2010). Review of Paste Explosives (PEX). Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 35(5)
- Akhavan J. (2009). The chemistry of fireworks. Materials Today, 12(4)
- Akhavan J. (2007). Electro-rheological polymers. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 221(4)
- Millett JCF, Bourne NK, Akhavan J & Milne AM. (2005). The response of soda-lime glass-hydroxyterminated polybutadiene composites to shock loading. Journal of Applied Physics, 97(4)
- Akhavan J. (2004). Handbook of Explosion Prevention and Protection, Editors Martin Hattwig and Henrikus Steen, J Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester 2004. Chemistry & Industry
- Millett JCF, Bourne NK & Akhavan J. (2004). The response of hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene to one-dimensional shock loading. Journal of Applied Physics, 95(9)
- Akhavan J, Kronfli E & Waring SC. (2004). Energetic polymer subjected to high energy radiation. Polymer, 45(7)
- AKHAVAN J. (2004). Energetic polymer subjected to high energy radiation. Polymer, 45(7)
- Akhavan J, Kronfli E & Waring SC. (2003). Effect of gamma radiation on polyNIMMO. Polymer, 44(25)
- Akhavan J & Slack K. (2001). Coating of a semi-conducting polymer for use in electrorheological fluids. Synthetic Metals, 124(2-3)
- Akhavan J, Koh E, Waring S & Kronfli E. (2001). Effect of UV and thermal radiation on polyNIMMO. Polymer, 42(18)
- Akhavan J. (1998). Investigation into the network structure of plasticized rocket propellant. Polymer, 39(1)
- Akhavan J, Grose I & Rabin S. (1997). Modification of Pyrotechnic formulations to aid recovery, recycling and demilitarization. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 22(2)
- Akhavan J & Welsh LJ. (1992). The Flow Characteristics of High Explosives. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 17(5)
- Akhavan J & Burke TC. (1992). Polymer Binder for High Performance Explosives. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 17(6)
- Akhavan J. (1991). Analysis of high-explosive samples by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular Spectroscopy, 47(9-10)
- Hodges CM & Akhavan J. (1990). The use of Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy in the forensic identification of illicit drugs and explosives. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular Spectroscopy, 46(2)
- Hendra PJ & Akhavan J. (1985). Devices to Control the Amount of Water Vapor and Carbon Dioxide in the Sample Areas of Infrared Spectrometers. Applied Spectroscopy, 39(6)
- Fleischmann M, Hill IR, Mengoli G, Musiani MM & Akhavan J. (1985). A comparative study of the efficiency of some organic inhibitors for the corrosion of copper in aqueous chloride media using electrochemical and surface enhanced Raman scattering techniques. Electrochimica Acta, 30(7)
- FLEISCHMANN M, HILL IR, MENGOLI G, MUSIANI MM & AKHAVAN J. (1985). ChemInform Abstract: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFICIENCY OF SOME ORGANIC INHIBITORS FOR THE CORROSION OF COPPER IN AQUEOUS CHLORIDE MEDIA USING ELECTROCHEMICAL AND SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SCATTERING TECHNIQUES. Chemischer Informationsdienst, 16(44)
- Akhavan J, Hendra PJ & Willis HA. (1985). Structure and properties of linear polyethylene crystallized by rapid cooling of melts: 3. The effect of shear. Polymer, 26(6)
- Akhavan J. The Chemistry of Fireworks, Michael S Russell, Royal Society of Chemistry, Second Edition, 2009. Chemistry & Industry, 11
Conference Papers
- Andrews M, Akhavan J, McAteer D & Hazelwood A. (2015). Development of pressing methodologies for spray dried 2.2'4.4'6.6' hexanitrostilbene (SPD HNS) using an instron
- O'Connor C, Hazelwood A, Akhavan J & Andrews M. (2015). Production and analysis of micronized 2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexanitrostilbene (HNS) using a Buchi mini spray dryer
- McAteer D, Akhavan D & Contini A. (2014). The development of novel, low sensitivity, gas-generating formulations for hotwire ignited devices
- Wallace Ian G, Akhavan J, Murray SG & Hooper G. (2009). The Development of explosives competencies, training and education in the UK
- Bellamy AJ, Akhavan J & Kuay G. (2007). Recovery of Energetic Materials Using Super Critical CO2
- Wallace I, Akhavan J, Parry R, Clarke D & Capel CND. (2006). Maintaining Explosives Safety Competence in the UK and European Explosives Sector
- Tan GK, Akhavan J & Bellamy AJ. (2006). Recovery of Energetic Materials from PBXs
- Tan GK, Akhavan J & Bellamy AJ. (2006). Recovery of Energetic Materials for PBXs
- Akhavan J. (2005). Why not Recovery and Recycle Instead of Destruction
- Wallace I, Akhavan J, Wallin H & Nilsson E. (2005). Developing and Maintaining Skillls in the Explosives Sector
- Wallace I, Akhavan J & Parry R. (2005). Developing and Maintaining Skills in the UK and European Explosives Sector
- Moniruzzaman M, Fernando GF, Sabey C, Winter D, Badcock RA, .... (2004). Synthesis and characterization of a novel class of photo-actuating and photo-rheological polymers
- Akhavan J. (2004). Morphological Studies of an Inert Polymer Binder Subjected to Shock Loading
- Meziere Y. (2004). The Shock Hugoniot of Hydroxy-Terminated Polybutadiene
- Sabey CJ, Moniruzzaman M, Fernando GF, Badcock RA, Winter D, .... (2004). In-situ characterisation of photo-actuating and photo-rheological polymers
- Sabey CJ, Moniruzzaman M, Fernando GF, Badcock RA, Winter D, .... (2003). In-Situ Characterisation of Photo-actuating and Photo-rheological Polymers
- Kyvelidis S, Maistros GM, Rattray P, Block H, Akhavan J, .... (1999). The Place of Dielectric Spectroscopy in Probing Electrorheology
- Akhavan J, Slack K, Wise V & Block H. (1999). Coating of Polyaniline with an Insulating Polymer to Improve the Power Efficiency of Electrorheological Fluids
- Akhavan J. (1996). Development of a New Polymer Bonded Igniter Pyrotechnic Composition
- Akhavan J, Grose I, Williams M & Cook B. (1995). A Device for quantitative evaluation of thrust produced by small fireworks rockets
- Blackwood KM, Tsangaris G, Vorobiev DN, Block H & Akhavan J. (1995). Poly(ortho-toluidine hydrochloride) and Poly(aniline hydrochloride) as Semi-Conducting Polymers for Electrorheology Substrates
- Blackwood KM, Tsangaris G, Vorobiev DN, Block H & Akhavan J. (1995). Poly(ortho-toluidine hydrochloride) and poly(aniline hydrochloride) as semi-conducting polymers for electrorheology substrates
- Akhavan J & Costello M. (1994). The development of a whistling pyrotechnic
- Akhavan J, Kelley FN & Wilhelm RAJ. (1994). Viscosity Measurements in Uncured HTPB Solid Model Propellant
- Langston SB, Akhavan J & Cumming AS. (1994). Water Soluble Polymers as a Diagnostic Tool for Pressing PBXs
- Leach CJ, Langston SB & Akhavan J. (1994). A Plasticisation study of thermoplastic elastomer bound pressable explosives
- Akhavan J, Farriss CW, Kelley FN & Von Meerwall E. (1992). Effects of trace carbon fibrils on electrical resistivity of rubbery composites
- Hodges CM, Akhavan J, Williams M & Cook B. (1991). The use of polymer binders in the continuous processing of coloured pyrotechnic star compositions
Books
- Akhavan J. (2023). The International Explosives Conference 2022 (IEC-2022) Proceedings In Future Developments in Explosives and Energetics. Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2023). The International Explosives Conference 2022 (IEC-2022) Proceedings In Future Developments in Explosives and Energetics. Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Thermochemistry of Explosives In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Manufacture of Explosives In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Introduction to Propellants and Pyrotechnics In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Introduction to Explosives In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Equilibria and Kinetics of Explosive Reactions In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Ignition, Initiation and Thermal Decomposition In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Combustion, Deflagration and Detonation In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Classification of Explosive Materials In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2022). Bibliography In The Chemistry of Explosives. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
- Akhavan J. (2011). Chemistry of explosives (3rd)
- Akhavan J. (2004). Chemistry of Explosives 2nd Edition
- Akhavan J. (2004). Explosives and Propellants In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology. Wiley.
- Akhavan J. Explosives and Propellants In Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Wiley.
