Dr Paul Rostron

Background

Prior to joining Cranfield University, Paul was Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, responsible for the delivery of academic courses in Chemistry related to petroleum production and exploration, as well as undergraduate chemistry degree courses. Additionally he was the Departmental Health and Safety lead, developed research into corrosion in the oil and Gas industry, and has over 30 peer reviewed papers published, 4 PhD and 20 MSc students supervised.

Paul graduated from Northumbria University, Newcastle (1990) with an Honours degree in Applied Chemistry and later (1996) a PhD in Polymer synthesis: “Side chain liquid crystal polymers”.

Paul is Royal Society of Chemistry Chartered Chemist, and a member of the Institute of Corrosion

Research opportunities

Main research interests are corrosion, failure analysis and design of engineering controls to mitigate corrosion. synthesis of corrosion inhibitors. 

other research interests are in direct methanol fuel cells and alternative battery technology.

Current activities

Paul’s main research interests are associated with the deeper understanding of electrochemical systems such as corrosion and better fuel cell technology. Corrosion remains an extant threat to metallic systems notwithstanding the great advances in protective coatings and corrosion control measures. Corrosion of military equipment is a severe threat, especially given the cost of replacing the equipment and corrosion of munitions casings can lead to unstable and sensitised munitions which can become a very great threat.

Paul is course director for several courses at Cranfield: the Officer’s Petroleum Course (OPC), Explosive Ordnance and Engineering (EOE) MSc, Joint module leader for Rocket Motors and Propellants (RMP) and other courses. He lectures on all aspects of chemistry as it applies to explosives including initiation and propagation, fuels and pyrotechnics.

provides outreach activities such as chemical demonstrations to schools.

Publications

• Articles in journals