Dr Colin J. Crook

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Chemistry PostGraduate Taught Programmes Director

University Teacher

c.j.crook@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 9407

Dainton Building

Full contact details

Dr Colin J. Crook
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Dainton Building
13 Brook Hill
Sheffield
S3 7HF

Profile

Dr. Crook obtained a BSc in Chemistry with Polymer Chemistry in 1995. This was followed by a MSc in polymer chemistry from Lancaster University and a PhD from Aston University in 2000. In 2000 he became a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sheffield working, a post held until 2006. His research centred around polymer synthesis and responsive polymers, and he was involved in the exciting Wonderland project at the art-science interface.

In 2007 he was appointed as a University Teacher in physical chemistry. He is fortunate to lecture in some of his favourite areas of chemistry, namely smart polymers and polymer characterisation, and runs the Level 2 physical chemistry laboratory and the MSc polymer laboratory. He is currently the Director of Studies for the MSc: Polymers for Advanced Technologies.

Publications

Journal articles

Parnell AJ, Martin SJ, Dang CC, Geoghegan M, Jones RAL, Crook CJ, Howse JR & Ryan AJ (2009) Synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviour of poly(methacrylic acid) brushes synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization. POLYMER, 50(4), 1005-1014.
Parnell AJ, Martin SJ, Jones RAL, Vasilev C, Crook CJ & Ryan AJ (2009) Direct visualization of the real time swelling and collapse of a poly(methacrylic acid) brush using atomic force microscopy. SOFT MATTER, 5(2), 296-299.
Topham PD, Howse JR, Crook CJ, Armes SP, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2007) Antagonistic triblock polymer gels powered by pH oscillations. MACROMOLECULES, 40(13), 4393-4395.
Geoghegan M, Ruiz-Perez L, Dang CC, Parnell AJ, Martin SJ, Howse JR, Jones RAL, Golestanian R, Topham PD, Crook CJ , Ryan AJ et al (2006) The pH-induced swelling and collapse atom transfer radical polymerization. SOFT MATTER, 2(12), 1076-1080.
Ryan AJ, Topham P, Crook CJ, Howse JR & Jones RAL (2006) PMSE 153-Analysis of the effect of temperature on the weathering of polymeric materials. ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S, 232, 506-506.
Topham PD, Howse JR, Crook CJ, Parnell AJ, Geoghegan M, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2006) Controlled growth of poly (2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) brushes via atom transfer radical polymerisation on planar silicon surfaces. POLYM INT, 55(7), 808-815.
Crook CJ, Fairclough PA, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2006) A toolbox approach to adhesive design. REACT FUNCT POLYM, 66(1), 41-49.
Howse JR, Topham P, Crook CJ, Gleeson AJ, Bras W, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2006) Reciprocating power generation in a chemically driven synthetic muscle.. Nano Lett, 6(1), 73-77.
Ryan AJ, Crook CJ, Howse JR, Topham P, Geoghegan M, Martin SJ, Parnell AJ, Ruiz-Perez L & Jones RAL (2005) Mechanical actuation by responsive polyelectrolyte brushes and triblock gels. J MACROMOL SCI PHYS, B44(6), 1103-1121.
Ryan AJ, Crook CJ, Howse JR, Topham P, Jones AL, Geoghegan M, Parnell AJ, Ruiz-Pérez L, Martin SJ, Cadby A , Menelle A et al (2005) Responsive brushes and gels as components of soft nanotechnology.. Faraday Discuss, 128, 55-74.
Crook CJ, Ryan AJ & Jones RAL (2002) Production of mechanical work via a pH-sensitive hydrogel coupled to a non-linear kinetic system.. ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S, 224, U427-U427.
Crook CJ, Ryan AJ & Jones RAL (2002) The use of a nonlinear kinetic system to produce mechanical work via a pH-sensitive hydrogel. American Chemical Society, Polymer Preprints, Division of Polymer Chemistry, 43(2), 804-805.
Crook CJ, Smith A, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2002) Chemically induced oscillations in a pH-responsive hydrogel. PHYS CHEM CHEM PHYS, 4(8), 1367-1369.

Conference proceedings papers

Topham PD, Howse JR, Crook CJ, Gleeson AJ, Bras W, Armes SP, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2007) Autonomous volume transitions of a polybase triblock copolymer gel in a chemically driven pH-oscillator. MACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Vol. 256 (pp 95-104)
Crook CJ, Cadby A, Smith A, Jones RAL & Ryan AJ (2004) Measurement of force produced by a pH-responsive hydrogel in a pH oscillator. NONLINEAR DYNAMICS IN POLYMERIC SYSTEMS, Vol. 869 (pp 71-79)

Teaching interests: Physical Chemistry Laboratory; Polymer Chemistry.

Teaching activities

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules

Level 2 Physical Chemistry Laboratories: In the second year, students use their observational, analytical and critical skills to probe some of the fundamental concepts of Physical Chemistry such as thermochemistry, kinetics and material properties. They also become practised in the art of data analysis and the communication of those results to others.
Smart Polymers and Polymeric Materials (Postgraduate Level)
This unit teaches students about the ways in which individual polymer chains and polymer-based materials can respond to a variety of external stimuli such as heat, light, sound, electric field, pH and ionic strength, and the uses which can be made of these effects in the design and applications of "smart" (both passive and active) materials and devices.

Support Teaching:

Tutorials: Level 2 Physical Chemistry.
Level 3 Literature Review

Laboratory Teaching:

Level 2 Organic Laboratories
Level 2 Physical Laboratories
Level 3 Inorganic Laboratories
Postgraduate Level Laboratories