Areas of expertise
- Defence manufacturing
- Explosives and Munitions
- Weapons Engineering
Background
A research chemist active in the field of energetic materials and ordnance science and technology with over 20 years' experience in the life assessment and formulation of propellants and explosives.
Propellant Chemist at ROXEL (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd and visiting Fellow within the Propellant Research Group, Cranfield Defence and Security.
Research opportunities
Phil is an R&D scientist with 20+ years of experience in the life assessment and formulation of propellants and explosives.
My research focus is on (i) the life assessment of propellants, (ii) understanding the mechanistic relationships of raw ingredient specification and formulation processes, and (iii) the development and validation of materials and physical/chemical processing and ageing models.
Phil joined Roxel UK in 2020, previously working in academia, and is secretary of the RSC Formulation Science and Technology (FST) Group.
Current Areas of Interest/Work:
Formulation - Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM)
Formulation - Nitrocellulose processing for rocket propellant manufacture
Formulation - Solid propellant bondline adhesion
Life Assessment - Nitrocellulose ageing mechanism investigation
Performance - Lead-free ballistic modifiers for rocket propellants
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Wallace IG, Mai N, Gill PP, Hood R, Parker M, .... (2025). The use of chemiluminescence nitrogen oxides analysis for the study of the decomposition of nitrocellulose. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics
- Romero Jabalquinto A, Mai N, Belghiche S & Gill PP. (2024). Modified Arrhenius kinetics for double base propellant decomposition: effect of water. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 227
- Romero Jabalquinto A, Mai N, Mohammed Y & Gill PP. (2023). Influence of humidity on the decomposition process of double base rocket propellant. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 218
- Claydon AJ, Patil AN, Gaulter S, Kister G & Gill PP. (2022). Determination and optimisation of Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM) efficiency in Polymer Bonded eXplosive (PBX) processing. Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification, 173(March)
- Wright CJ, Wilkinson PJ, Gaulter SE, Fossey D, Burn AO, .... (2021). Is ResonantAcoustic Mixing® (RAM) a game changer for manufacturing solid composite rocket propellants?. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 47(1)
- Wilkinson PJ, Weaver MC, Kister G & Gill PP. (2021). Styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer binder for solid propellants. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 47(1)
- Galante EBF, Mai N, Ladyman MK, Gill PP, Temple TJ, .... (2020). Evaluation of small-scale combustion of an insensitive high explosive formulation containing 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), and 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Journal of Energetic Materials, 39(1)
- Luppi F, Mai N, Kister G, Gill PP, Gaulter S, .... (2019). Chemical modification of β-cyclodextrins: balancing soft and rigid domains in complex structures. Chemistry – A European Journal, 25(68)
- Yahya PKI, Gill PP & Moniruzzaman M. (2019). Interaction and thermal studies on graphene oxide in NC/DEGDN/GO nanocomposites. RSC Advances, 9(60)
- Moniruzzaman M, Christogianni P, Vrcelj R & Gill PP. (2018). Ultrasonic studies of solid azobenzene decorated polymer thin films. ACS Omega, 3(12)
- Fang X, Sharma M, Stennett C & Gill PP. (2017). Optical sensitisation of energetic crystals with gold nanoparticles for laser ignition. Combustion and Flame, 183
- Abdul-Karim N, Blackman CS, Gill PP & Karu K. (2016). The spatial distribution patterns of condensed phase post-blast explosive residues formed during detonation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 316
- Abdul-Karim N, Blackman CS, Gill PP, Morgan RM, Matjacic L, .... (2016). Morphological variations of explosive residue particles and implications for understanding detonation mechanisms. Analytical Chemistry, 88(7)
- Ladyman MK, Temple TJ, Gill PP & Galante E. (2016). The UK Ministry of Defence Project Orientated Environmental Management System (POEMS). Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 42(1)
- Hudson RJ, Moniruzzaman M & Gill PP. (2015). Investigation of Crystal Morphology and Shock Sensitivity of Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine Suspension by Rheology. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 40(2)
- Abdul-Karim N, Blackman CS, Gill PP, Wingstedt MM & Reif BAP. (2014). Post-blast explosive residue - a review of formation and dispersion theories and experimental research. RSC Adv., 4(97)
- Hudson RJ, Zioupos P & Gill PP. (2012). Investigating the Mechanical Properties of RDX Crystals Using Nano‐Indentation. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 37(2)
- Tanner R, Gill P, Wells R, Bailie JE, Kelly G, .... (2002). Aldol condensation reactions of acetone and formaldehyde over vanadium phosphate catalysts: Comments on the acid–base properties. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 4(4)
Conference Papers
- Hudson R, Moniruzzaman M, Zioupos P & Gill P. (2015). Investigation of reduced sensitivity RDX
- Mai M & Gill P. (2012). ISO 17025 GPC analysis of NC
- Deacon P, Knight R, Macdonald A, Gill P, Mai N, .... (2010). Conclusions from the round robin evaluation of the nitrocellulose size exclusion chromatography method in STANAG 4178 (ed.2)
- Tucker J, Mai N, Gill P & Hand J. (2010). Assessment of propellant stabilizer extraction methods
- Mai N, Gill P, Bellerby J, Deacon P & Baker C. (2010). Whole life assessment of nitrocellulose in double base rocket propellants
- Hudson R, Gill P, Flower PQ & Cumming AS. (2010). Assessment of RDX morphology and defects
- Hudson R, Gill P, Flower PQ & Cumming AS. (2010). Thermal analysis of RDX using differential scanning calorimetry
- Deacon P, Macdonald A, Gill P, Mai N, Bohn M, .... (2009). An Update on the Round Robin Test to Evaluate the Nitrocellulose Size Exclusion Chromatography Method in STANAG 4178 (Ed. 2)
- Moniruzzaman M, Mai N & Gill P. (2009). Photo-induced changes in the viscosity and molecular weight of nitrocellulose
- Deacon P, Macdonald A, Gill P, Mai N, Bohn M, .... (2008). A round robin evaluation of the nitrocellulose gel permeation chromatography method proposed for Stanag 4178 (ed.2)
- Mai N, Agha A & Gill P. (2007). An investigation into the safety of the continued use of old tetryl in munitions
- Bellerby JM, Deacon P & Gill PP. (2006). Whole Life Assessment of Nitrocellulose in Double Base Rocket Propellants
- Gill PP, Bellerby JM & Welland-Veltmans WHM. (2004). Decomposition of Crystaline Hydrazinium Nitroformate (HNF)
- Gill PP & Bellerby JM. (2004). Gases Evolved from Pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN) in Air at 100 C
- Gill PP, Bellerby JM & Blackman CS. (2001). Decomposition of Hydrazinium Nitroformate (HNF) between 60C and 80C
