Webinars
05 November 2024
Fluoropolymers and related chemicals (PFAS) have been a key component of the industrial world for many years and are widely used in coatings, seals, firefighting foams, cables, release agents and as additives in drilling fluids. However, increasing concerns relating to the bioaccumulation of these materials is driving a more restrictive regulatory framework. Combined with a growth in litigation against PFAS manufacturers the future of these materials is unclear.
TWI will be launching on 05/11/2024 a new Joint Industry Project on PFAS and more precisely on assessment and address of the business risk within the current changing regulatory and environmental, social, governmental landscape. During the launch meeting there is going to be an opportunity to go through the JIP work programme in detail with a dedicated session on questions and comments from potential Sponsors that could be taken into consideration in the final technical proposal.
Speakers
Dr Alan Taylor FRSC FIMMM
Technology Fellow - Functional Coatings and Resins
Alan is a Technology Fellow at TWI specialising in the characterisation of functional surfaces with a focus on durable repellent coatings. Over 28 years he has led over 200 industrial projects covering every sector.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He is a board member of the Surface Engineering Leadership Forum; is an expert reviewer for the EC; the EPSRC Future Leader Fellowship Scheme and has reviewed proposals for the Royal Society. His current interests centre on supporting industry to navigate through the changing environment related to PFAS.
Sofia Sampethai
Joint Industry Programme Manager
TWI
Sofia is Joint Industry Project Manager at TWI in the Business Develoment section. She is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Welding Institute. She has studied Chemical Engineering and her MSc was carried out at ETH Zurich in the department of Process Engineering. Sofia manages funded collaborative projects, including Innovate UK, FP7 and H2020, and the majority of them are in the areas of condition monitoring, sensor development targeting composites failure, and integrity monitoring for casings used in oil and gas industry. She has also been involved in proposal writing for European and national funded projects, and in developing partnerships within industry. Sofia’s work is focused on the research and development of innovative solutions in the area of condition and structural health monitoring.
Sara Naderizadeh
Senior Engineer in Coating Technologies
TWI Ltd
Sara graduated with a PhD from Italian Institute of Technology in Genova in 2020, where she specialised in fabrication and testing of non-wetting and thermally conductive coatings. She holds a Master’s degree in Polymer Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. Sara followed her research career by working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Surrey and Queen Mary University of London on diverse projects including polymer thin films, pressure-sensitive sensors, and sustainable fashion. In April 2024, she joined TWI as a Senior Engineer in Coating Technologies in PCS section, bringing her expertise to the forefront of innovative coating solutions.