Featuring one of our Keynote Speakers:

George Jeronimidis
Director of Center for Biomimetics
Center for Biomimetics
University of Reading

Director of the Centre for Biomimetics, The University of Reading;
Professor of Composite Materials Engineering, School of Construction Management and Engineering, The University of Reading.

Prof. Jeronimidis is a Visiting Professor at the following institutions: Architectural Association, School of Architecture, London; Dipartimento di Architettura, Politecnico di Bari, Italy and the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Zhengzhou University, China.
Member of the Smart Materials and Structures Committee of the Institute of Materials, Metallurgy and Mining, IoM3
Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science

Career

PhD in Physical Chemistry, University of Rome (1970)
Scientific Officer, Laboratorio su Tecnologie dei Polimeri e Reolgia, CNR, Naples (1970-1975)
Research Fellow, Department of Engineering, University of Reading (1975-1980)
Lecturer, Department of Engineering, University of Reading (1980-1990)
Senior Lecturer, Department of Engineering, Reading University (1990-1995)
Director of the Centre for Biomimetics, Reading University (since 1992)
Professor of Composite Materials Engineering, School of Construction Management and Engineering, University of Reading (since 1995)

Research interests

Current research interests cover biomimetics, plant and animal biomechanics, smart materials and structures, and mechanics of composite materials and structures. The Centre of Biomimetics was the first research centre in the world looking at biology for inspiration and technological solutions. This research activity has received funding from various sources including UK Research Councils, Industry, European Union and Defense Agencies in the UK and the USA. Biomimetic projects have included developments of smart textiles, muscle-type actuators, integral strain sensors, impact-energy absorbing materials, natural fibre based composites, development of cellular materials from renewable starch sources and bio-inspired air-flow sensors. In recent years he has developed strong links with the architectural community in various parts of Europe where there is a growing interest in bio-inspired solutions in relation to sustainable architectural design. Professor Jeronimidis’ research in composite materials, structures and design is aimed at exploiting fibre systems for added functionality. Nearly all biological structures are composites and the way in which nature exploits composites for adaptive, functional and responsive structures can provide ideas for integrated performance in materials and structures in sectors such as construction, transport, etc. He has been involved in several research projects in composite structures for smart wind –turbine blades (self-regulating), friendly suspension systems for road and rail transport which minimize damage to infrastructure, composite flywheels for energy storage with funding from UK end EU sources. In parallel, the interest in renewable and sustainable materials for engineering applications, from transport to buildings, has been supported by several grants to investigate the possibility of using plant fibres, such as flax and hemp, for structural composites competing with glass-fibre systems. Professor Jeronimidis has published extensively in his various research fields of interest and has been invited to give Keynote Lectures at several international conferences, meetings and schools on Biomimetics, Smart Materials, Composite Structures and Architecture.