University Dept. / Industry Sector:	Chemistry / Polymer Design	Founded: 2000
SIC code (UK 1992):	2416 / 7310
Relevant Patents:	n/a
COAP / Company Number:	00002 / 04182449
Contact:	Ederyn Williams 02476 575 482
Web:	www.warwickeffectpolymers.co.uk
Introduction There are as many as 20 research staff and students working on new types of polymers, using the new technology of Living Radical Polymerisation. This allows the production of bespoke polymers for high value applications such as contact lenses, hair spray, shampoos, printer inks and adhesives. Two patents have been filed. An application for £90k investment was made to the Mercia Fund in March 2000. There is interest for small-scale polymer production from large multinationals and has been awarded a DTI SMART award and has recently taken on substantial venture capital funding for its current expansion. Key Personnel Professor Dave Haddleton received his D.Phil. from the University of York, UK in 1986. He spent one year with Geoff Ozin in Toronto working in the area of metal vapour synthesis. In 1987 he took up a position with ICI and spent the year on secondment at the University of Southern Mississippi working with Andy Griffin on liquid crystal polymers. David moved to the University of Warwick as Lecturer in 1993 being promoted to Professor in 1998. Currently his research group is approximately 15 strong with about 50% postdoctoral fellows. Funding is from industry, the UK government (EPSRC) and the European Commission. Haddleton has published approximately 120 papers in refereed journals and has about 8 patents in the US and Europe. Current research is focussed on controlled polymerisation, in particular living radical and catalytic chain transfer polymerisation. Current research projects cover a diverse range of applications from personal care products (hair, laundry, etc), polymers for application in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications to new adhesives and coatings. Product / Technology Although there are specific inventions that can be licensed, the most immediate opportunity is to use the skills and know-how of the group to undertake production of novel polymers in 50g quantities for industrial clients.