Rhys Tapper Email & Phone Number

United States

United States

Brussels, Brussels Region, Be

Brussels, Be

Technical leader in the development of novel advanced composite materials

Bristol, Gb

The initial 18 months of the Centre for Doctoral Training programme was the equivalent of a taught Master of Aerospace Engineering degree, comprising a taught, practical and research component. I learned undergraduate engineering theory and advanced composite theory alongside postgraduate research skills training. I designed, built and tested a composite unmanned aerial vehicle wing (2 meter) to a brief with specific performance and weight requirements; leading a team of 6 to a winning design. For the research component, I created a scaled model of a large industrial alignment machine, adapted for use with corrosive material to test a recycling method. The preliminary year was highly enjoyable, intellectually challenging and unequivocally vital to my development as a multi-disciplinary scientist.During the PhD I developed a novel closed-loop recycling process for carbon fibre polymer composites. My duties included; project management, experimental design & development, composite material design, composite manufacturing design, & process development, results analysis, report writing and article writing. I developed a broad range of technical and professional skills along with a deep understanding of; composite behaviour & characterisation, polymer behaviour & characterisation, composite failure analysis and mechanical performance analysis. I acquired a strong understanding of the current technological status of the composites industry. I used life cycle assessment to compare the environmental impact of my process/material with alternatives. My research has been peer-reviewed, both in respected journals and at international conferences, and has proven to provide the highest mechanical performance, and lowest environmental impact, of any recyclable discontinuous carbon fibre polymer composite.

Bristol, Gb

I demonstrated in a variety of different Aerospace Engineering and Composite Design labs for undergraduate students. My duties ranged from teaching practical metal working skills, supporting composite design and manufacture calculations seminars and providing answers to technical questions in design seminars.

Bristol, Gb

Demonstrated practical chemistry techniques, and taught new concepts, to groups of first year chemistry undergraduates on a weekly basis. Effective and instructive communication was required to improve their understanding of chemistry theory, technical lab skills and lab health & safety protocol. I was also responsible for marking reports and providing constructive feedback to students on their understanding, writing and practical skills.

I provided A-Level Chemistry tuition to a high-performing student who needed help to improve their grades. I developed a tuition programme which focused on improving the students problem areas with chemical theory and complex calculations. The tutoring was successful and the student surpassed their desired grade.I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this student and developed my passion for teaching the technical knowledge I had acquired through my formal education.

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Gb

I provided GCSE Maths tuition to a student with learning difficulties to help achieve the grade required for employment. I developed a tuition programme which focused on improving the students problem areas whilst also attending to their special learning requirements. The tutoring was successful and the student surpassed their desired grade.This experience was important to me as I developed a patience and understanding as a teacher whilst fostering a passion for teaching.

Hamburg, De

After university I completed a 4 month contract with the drug discovery alliance Evotec (UK) Ltd at their Abingdon site. My duties consisted mainly of conducting 3-4 experiments a week, including separation and purification, and accurately recording them on the electronic laboratory notebook database. I became competent with advanced organic synthesis techniques such as: alkylation, chloroformylation, mercury (II) chloride coupling, Buchwald-Hartwig amination and palladium catalysed hydrogenation, whilst using quantitative/qualitative separation and analysis methods i.e. LCMS, 1H/13C NMR and prep HPLC on a daily basis. I presented my experimental findings and progress weekly in meetings with my team, team leader and project leader.

Slough, Berkshire, Gb

At Reckitt Benckiser (RB) I worked as a research scientist in the Dettol branch of the New Technologies Group (NTG) located at RB research and development headquarters in Hull. My independent projects required many hours of primary research around the technology and related chemistry. I worked on an array of projects with a strong chemistry focus. from the stability testing of Dettol solutions, the testing of novel mucoadhesive encapsulation forms and new formulation developments, i.e. formation of water-in-oil emulsions and saturated solutions. My role in each project was to conduct the on-site laboratory formulation and testing of samples, to plan and record experimental details and to steer project progression based on research outcomes.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Advanced Composites

Mchem, Chemistry