School of Engineering (ENG)

Profile

Mr James MacMullen is part of the Advanced Polymer and Composites (APC) Research Group.

Mr MacMullen specialises in the development and characterisation of novel nanoparticulate treatment systems for facade materials performance enhancement and protection. Recent work has focused on the use of photo-catalytic nanoparticulates in facade treatment systems that do not alter the substrates aesthetics. 

Benefits include improved water-repellence, antifouling through photo-induced sanitisation and energy conservation. Due to the nature of such treatments they may play an extensive part in future retrofit and heritage applications.

Mr MacMullen has extensive experience culturing and testing algal and fungal strains for masonry and timber treatment testing respectively, thermal envelope efficiency evaluation, and surface energy characterisation.

Experience also includes;

• The design, construction, and operation of control units for thermal analysis of model buildings

• The design, construction, and running of elaborate microbiological fouling tests including algae and dry rot on masonry and timber respectively

• The setup and operation of an air bearing rheometer

• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) of various samples; including biological specimens, electrical components, metals, polymers and nanoparticulates

• Nanoindentation testing and evaluation of polymers, composites, and metals

• Thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity testing

• Goniometry testing of; water contact angle, surface tension and surface energy characteristics of fluids and substrates

• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of solid and liquid samples

• Pendulum impact testing

• Surface roughness testing

• Vickers hardness testing

• Microscopy of various samples including thermoplastics and colloids

• Noise level testing

• Commercial and inter-university testing and analysis

Publications

Zhang Z., MacMullen J., Dhakal H.N., Radulovic J., Herodotou C., Totomis M., Bennett N. Biofouling resistance of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticulate silane/siloxane exterior facade treatments. Building and Environment. 2012 (Accepted for Publication).

Zhang Z., MacMullen J., Dhakal H.N., Radulovic J., Herodotou C., Totomis M., Bennett N. Enhanced water repellence and thermal insulation of masonry by zinc oxide treatment. Energy and Buildings 54 (2012) pp 40-46.

MacMullen J., Zhang Z., Radulovic J., Dhakal H.N., Bennett N. An investigation of hydroxyl end-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in exterior oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion treatments. Construction and Building Materials 37 (2012), pp 283-290.

MacMullen J., Zhang Z., Radulovic J., Herodotou C., Totomis M., Dhakal H.N., Bennett N. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nano-particulate enhanced oil-in-water (O/W) facade emulsions for improved masonry thermal insulation and protection. Energy and Buildings 52 (2012), pp 86-92.

MacMullen J., Zhang Z., Rirsch E., Dhakal H.N., Bennett N. Brick and mortar treatment by cream emulsion for improved water repellence and thermal insulation. Energy and Buildings 43 (2011), pp 1560-1565.

Alani A., MacMullen J., Telik O., Zhang Z. Investigation into the thermal performance of recycled glass screed for construction purposes. Construction and Building Materials 29 (2012), pp 527-532.

Rirsch E., MacMullen J., Zhang Z. Evaluation of mortar samples obtained from UK houses treated for rising damp. Construction and Building Materials 25 (2011), pp 2845-2850.