Contact Professor Jackie Akhavan

Areas of expertise

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 three-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.

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 explosives compositions
  • Paste and liquid explosives
  • Ageing of explosives using gamma radiation
  • Control of particle size using supercritical conditions and spray drying
Professor Akhavan is also the Director of Education and Chair of the Course Directors Forum at Cranfield Defence and Security.

Clients

  • Atomic Weapons Establishment
  • Roxel
  • African Explosives Ltd - Mining Section
  • SAFEX
  • QinetiQ
  • Dstl
  • UK MoD, armed forces, home office and government security sectors
  • Overseas defence agencies
  • Chemring
  • BAe Systems
  • MBDA
  • EU
  • SPEX

Publications

Articles In Journals

Conference Papers

  • 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. In: 45th International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe, 24 June 2014.
  • 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. In: 45th International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe, 24 June 2014.
  • McAteer D, Akhavan D & Contini A (2014) The development of novel, low sensitivity, gas-generating formulations for hotwire ignited devices. In: 17th seminar on new trends in research of energetic materials (NTREM 2014), Pardubice, 9-11 April 2014.
  • Wallace Ian G, Akhavan J, Murray S G & 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. In: 10th seminar on new trends in research of energetic materials (NTREM 2007), Pardubice, 25 April 2007.
  • Tan GK, Akhavan J & Bellamy AJ (2006) Recovery of Energetic Materials from PBXs. In: 4th International Disposal Conference, Katrinaholm, 13 November 2006.
  • Tan GK, Akhavan J & Bellamy AJ (2006) Recovery of Energetic Materials for PBXs. In: 4th International Disposal Conference, Katrinaholm, 13 November 2006.
  • Wallace I, Akhavan J, Parry R, Clarke D & Capel CND (2006) Maintaining Explosives Safety Competence in the UK and European Explosives Sector. In: 32nd DoD Explosives Safety Seminar, Philadelphia, USA, 21 August 2006.
  • Akhavan J (2005) Why not Recovery and Recycle Instead of Destruction.
  • Wallace I, Akhavan J & Parry R (2005) Developing and Maintaining Skills in the UK and European Explosives Sector. In: Parari 2005, Melbourne, Australia, 7 November 2005.
  • Wallace I, Akhavan J, Wallin H & Nilsson E (2005) Developing and Maintaining Skillls in the Explosives Sector. In: 3rd EFEE World Conference on Explosives and Blasting, Brighton, UK, 13 September 2005.
  • Moniruzzaman M, Sabey CJ, Fernando GF, Badcock R, Winter D, Bandara A, Kronfli E & Akhavan J (2004) In-situ characterisation of photoactuating and photorheological polymers. In: Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, Vol. 785, 1 January 2004.
  • Akhavan J (1996) Development of a New Polymer Bonded Igniter Pyrotechnic Composition. In: 22nd International Pyrotechnic Society Seminar, Fort Collins, Colorado, 15 July 1996.
  • 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. In: American Chemical Society symposium on electrorheological materials and fluids 1994, Washington, DC, 21-22 August 1994.
  • Akhavan J, Grose I, Williams M & Cook B (1995) A Device for quantitative evaluation of thrust produced by small fireworks rockets. In: 26th International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe.
  • Leach CJ, Langston SB & Akhavan J (1994) A Plasticisation study of thermoplastic elastomer bound pressable explosives. In: 25th International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe, 28 June 1994.
  • Akhavan J & Costello M (1994) The development of a whistling pyrotechnic. In: 20th International Pyrotechnics Seminar, Colorado Springs, CO, 25 July 1994.
  • Langston SB, Akhavan J & Cumming AS (1994) Water Soluble Polymers as a Diagnostic Tool for Pressing PBXs. In: 25th International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe, 28 June 1994.
  • Akhavan J, Kelley F N & Wilhelm R A Jr (1994) Viscosity Measurements in Uncured HTPB Solid Model Propellant. In: 19th International Pyrotechnic Seminar, Christchurch, 21 February 1994.
  • Blackwood KM, Tsangaris G, Vorobiev DN, Block H & Akhavan J (1994) Poly(ortho-toluidine hydrochloride) and Poly(aniline hydrochloride) as Semi-Conducting Polymers for Electro-Rheology Substrates. In: American Chemical Society Symposium on Electrorheological (ER) Materials and Fluids., Washington, DC, 21-22 August 1994.
  • Akhavan J, Farriss CW, Kelley FN & Von Meerwall E (1992) Effects of trace carbon fibrils on electrical resistivity of rubbery composites. In: American Physics Society, 16 March 1992.
  • Hodges CM, Akhavan J, Williams M & Cook B (1991) The use of polymer binders in the continuous processing of coloured pyrotechnic star compositions. In: 16th International Pyrotechnics Seminar, Jonkoping, 24 June 1991.
  • Akhavan J & Dossi E (2013) Energetics @ Cranfield University-Defence Academy of UK. In: 2nd European Conference on Detection of Explosives, Rome, 13 March 2013.
  • Akhavan J Education and Training in the Explosive Sector.
  • Andrews MRG, Gaulter SE, Akhavan J & Bolton P FT-IT Monitoring of Cure Rate and Effect of Plasticizer Content on a Series of Cross-Linked PolyNIMMO-based Systems. In: 38th Int Conf of ICT, Karlsruhe, Germany.
  • Moniruzzaman M, Fernando GF, Sabey CJ, Winter D, Badcock RA, Akhavan J & Kronfli E Synthesis and characterization of a novel class of photo-actuating and photo-rheological polymers. In: SPIE Vol 5464 Organic Optoelectronics and Photonics.
  • Nilsson E, Akhavan J, Randle H & Wallin H EU Excert - Certifying Expertise in the European Explosives Sector. In: 32nd DoD Explosives Seminar, Philadelphia, USA.
  • Slack K, Akhavan J & Block H Investigation of the surface polymerisation of insulating monomers on electrogenerated polyaniline films. In: 6th International Conference on Electro-Rheological Fluids, Magneto-Rheological Suspensions and their Applications, 22 July 1998.
  • Akhavan J, Wallace I, Nilsson E & Wallin H Developments in the European Qualification for Workers in the Explosives Sector. In: PARARI, 8th Australian Explosive Ordnance Symposium, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Wallace I, Akhavan J, Nilsson E & Wallin H European Explosives Qualifications - The EU Excert Project. In: 4th World Conference on Explosives and Blasting Techniques, Vienna, Austria.

Books

  • Akhavan J (2011) Chemistry of explosives. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry, ed. 3rd.
  • Akhavan J (2004) Explosives and Propellants. In: Kirk-Othmer Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, Kirk-Othmer, p. 719-744.
  • Akhavan J (2004) Chemistry of Explosives 2nd Edition. Royal Society of Chemistry.