Prof. James Busfield has been the Head of the Soft Matter Group at QMUL since 1994. The group examines the physical behaviour by experiment and modelling techniques of soft matter such as elastomers and rubber materials. Properties of interest include abrasion, friction, fracture, creep, fatigue, viscoelastic behaviour, modulus enhancement and composite filler reinforcement. In addition, the group is developing smart soft materials that can sense their environment and soft actuating materials that can change shape in response to a physical stimulus.
James has innovated extensively in his teaching methods as was reflected by his award of a National Teaching Fellowship in 2009. He has also been recognised for his research excellence by the award of the Colwyn Medal (the premier medal for rubber research awarded by the IOM3) in 2009 and the Sparks-Thomas Award (also for rubber research by the ACS) in 2010.
Before 1994, he designed suspension components for an automotive industry supply company, designing systems for companies such as Jaguar, Volvo and Mercedes.