Professor Richard Day

Professor of Composites Engineering

Picture of staff member

Prof Day originally studied Physics at Queen Mary London before a MSc in the Physics of Materials at Bristol University. He returned to London to study for a PhD in single crystal polymers.

He worked for 23 years at the University of Manchester before moving to Wrexham Glyndwr University in 2010 and lived for more than 25 years in Stockport.

He has cycled a lot but more recently has been walking with the family dog, a  Goberian (Husky/Golden Retriever cross). His hobbies are electronics and DIY, the latter born of necessity living in a very old house! He also enjoys baking and is known for randomly bringing cakes to work, also for his videos of baking on the intranet.

His research interests are driven by looking for ways of making composites to reduce the environmental footprint and increase energy efficiency. The research is undertaken is a state of the art laboratory which is at the Advanced Composites Training and Development Centre, a joint activity between WGU and Airbus, situated at the Airbus site in Broughton.

Publications

YearPublicationType
2023A power budget analysis of an electrical uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) flying a basic mission profile, 
Bolam, Robert;Roque, Jhon Paul;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard;Slepchenkov, Mikhail
Other Publication
2023A test rig for thermal analysis of heat sinks for power electronic applications, 
Sharp, Andrew;Monir, Shafiul;Day, Richard;Vagapov, Yuriy;Dianov, Anton
Other Publication
2022Torque-speed characteristics for electrically powered rim driven fans and thrust comparison with a small conventional fan jet engine, Proc. 57th Int. Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC-2022), Istanbul, Turkey, 30 Aug. - 2. [DOI]
R. C. Bolam, J. P. C. Roque, Y. Vagapov and R. J. Day
Conference Publication
2022Torque-speed characteristics for electrically powered rim driven fans and thrust comparison with a small conventional fan jet engine, 
Bolam, Robert;Roque, Jhon Paul;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard
Other Publication
2022Temperature gradient improvement of power semiconductor modules cooled using forced air heat sink, 
Sharp, Andrew;Monir, Shafiul;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard
Other Publication
2021Simulation of carbon fibre composites in an industrial microwave, MATERIALS TODAY-PROCEEDINGS. [DOI]
Nuhiji, Betime;Bower, Matthew P.;Swait, Timothy;Phadnis, Vaibhav;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J.
Conference Publication
2021The Effects of Absorbing Materials on the Homogeneity of Composite Heating by Microwave Radiation, Materials, 14. [DOI]
Nuhiji, Betime;Bower, Matthew P.;Proud, William A. E.;Burpo, Steven J.;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J.;Swait, Timothy
Peer Reviewed Journal
2021Aerodynamic Analysis and Design of a Rim-Driven Fan for Fast Flight, JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER, 37. [DOI]
Bolam, Robert C.;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard J.;Anuchin, Alecksey
Peer Reviewed Journal
2020Aerodynamic Analysis and Design of a Rim-Driven Fan for Fast Flight, [DOI]
Bolam, Robert;Vagapov, Yuriy;Day, Richard;Anuchin, Alecksey
Peer Reviewed Journal
2019Tooling materials compatible with carbon fibre composites in a microwave environment, Composites Part B: Engineering, 163. [DOI]
Nuhiji, Betime;Swait, Timothy;Bower, Matthew P.;Green, James E.;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2018Carbon Nanotube Technology as an Option for Future Computing Devices, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN COMPUTING, ICETIC 2018. [DOI]
Luhyna, Nataliia;Excell, Peter;Day, Richard J.;McMillan, Alison J.;Inam, Fawad;Osanlou, Ardeshir
Conference Publication
2018Composite Material Evaluation at Cryogenic Temperatures for Applications in Space-Based Far-Infrared Astronomical Instrumentation, ADVANCES IN OPTICAL AND MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR TELESCOPES AND INSTRUMENTATION III. [DOI]
Spencer, Locke D.;Veenendaal, Ian T.;Naylor, David A.;Gom, Brad G.;Sitwell, Geoffrey R. H.;Huber, Anthony I.;Christiansen, Adam;Benson, Chris S.;Gunuganti, Sudhakar;Jones, Martyn;Day, Richard;Walker, David;Zobeiry, Navid;Poursartip, Anoush
Conference Publication
2017Internal Model Control of a Domestic Microwave for Carbon Composite Curing, [DOI]
Green, J E;Nuhiji, B;Zivtins, K;Bower, P;Grainger, R V;Day, Richard;Scaife, R J
Peer Reviewed Journal
2017Internal Model Control of a Domestic Microwave for Carbon Composite Curing, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MICROWAVE THEORY AND TECHNIQUES, 65. [DOI]
Green, James E.;Nuhiji, Betime;Zivtins, Karlis;Bower, Matthew P.;Grainger, Richard V.;Day, Richard J.;Scaife, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2017Aerospace composite cured by quickstep and autoclave processing techniques: Evaluation and comparison of reaction progress, Aerospace Science and Technology, 65. [DOI]
Khan, Laraib A.;Kausar, Ayesha;Day, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2015Determination of Key Mechanical Properties for Simulating Delamination Damage in Impacted Bonded Joints of Composites, PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR COMPOSITES: THIRTIETH TECHNICAL CONFERENCE. 
Choudhry, R. S.;Li, S.;Day, R.;Hassan, S. F.
Conference Publication
2015Damage in single lap joints of woven fabric reinforced polymeric composites subjected to transverse impact loading, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMPACT ENGINEERING, 80. [DOI]
Choudhry, R. S.;Hassan, Syed F.;Li, S.;Day, R.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2014Cure Characterization of Cycom 977-2A Carbon/Epoxy Composites for Quickstep Processing, Polymer Engineering and Science, 54. [DOI]
Khan, Laraib A.;Kausar, Ayesha;Hussain, Syed Tajammul;Iqbal, Zafar;Day, Richard J.;Syed, Ahmed Shuja;Khan, Zaffar M.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2013Determination of optimum cure parameters of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composites for quickstep processing, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 129. [DOI]
Khan, Laraib A.;Iqbal, Zafar;Hussain, Syed Tajammul;Kausar, Ayesha;Day, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2013Effect of hygrothermal conditioning on the fracture toughness of carbon/epoxy composites cured in autoclave/Quickstep, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 32. [DOI]
Khan, Laraib Alam;Mahmood, Ali Hasan;Syed, Ahmed Shuja;Khan, Zaffar M.;Day, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2013Effect of double vacuum bagging (DVB) in quickstep processing on the properties of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composites, Polymer Composites, 34. [DOI]
Khan, Laraib Alam;Mahmood, Ali Hasan;Ahmed, S.;Day, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2013A Test Rig for the Calibration of Strain Sensing Carbon Fibre, 
Durieux, Olivier;Day, Richard;Vagapov, Yuriy
Other Publication
2012A Review of Cutting-edge Techniques for Material Selection, ACMTAA 2012: PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS. 
Brifcani, Noon;Day, Richard;Walker, David;Hughes, Suzanne;Ball, Ken;Price, Dave
Conference Publication
2010Hygrothermal degradation of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composite laminates cured in autoclave and Quickstep, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 41. [DOI]
Khan, Laraib A.;Nesbitt, Alan;Day, Richard J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2010Electrical and Material Characterization of Field-aged 400 kV Silicone Rubber Composite Insulators, IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 17. 
Rowland, S. M.;Robertson, J.;Xiong, Y.;Day, R. J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2008Comparison of the mechanical and physical properties of a carbon fibre epoxy composite manufactured by resin transfer moulding using conventional and microwave heating, Composites Science and Technology, 68. [DOI]
Papargyris, D. A.;Day, R. J.;Nesbitt, A.;Bakavos, D.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2008Comparison of the mechanical and physical properties of a carbon fibre epoxy composite manufactured by resin transfer moulding using conventional and microwave heating, Composites Science and Technology, 68. [DOI]
Papargyris, D. A.;Day, R. J.;Nesbitt, A.;Bakavos, D.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2008Surface analysis of asymmetrically aged 400 kV silicone rubber composite insulators, IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 15. 
Xiong, Y.;Rowland, S. M.;Robertson, J.;Day, R. J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2007Comparison of the curing kinetics of a DGEBA/acid anhydride epoxy resin system using differential scanning calorimetry and a microwave-heated calorimeter, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 104. [DOI]
Navabpour, P.;Nesbitt, A.;Mann, T.;Day, R. J.
Peer Reviewed Journal
2007Effect of cure cycle heat transfer rates on the physical properties of an epoxy matrix composite, ADVANCES IN COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, PTS 1 AND 2. 
Davies, L. W.;Day, R. J.;Bond, D.;Nesbitt, A.;Elliss, J.;Gardon, E.
Conference Publication
2006Comparison of the Curing Kinetics of the RTM6 Epoxy Resin System Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and a Microwave-Heated Calorimeter, 
Navabpour, Parnia;Nesbitt, Alan;Degamber, B;Fernando, G;Mann, Tim;Day, Richard
Other Journal
2006Investigation of the microwave curing of the PR500 epoxy resin system, Journal of Materials Science, 41. [DOI]
Wallace, Mark;Attwood, David;Day, Richard J.;Heatley, Frank
Peer Reviewed Journal
2004Development of a microwave calorimeter for simultaneous thermal analysis,, 
Nesbitt, Alan;Navabpour, P;Degamber, B;Nightingale, C;Fernando, G;Day, Richard
Other Journal
2004Development of a microwave calorimeter for simultaneous thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and dielectric measurements, MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 15. [DOI]
Nesbitt, A;Navabpour, P;Degamber, B;Nightingale, C;Mann, T;Fernando, GF;Day, RJ
Peer Reviewed Journal
2003Comparison of microwave and thermal cure of unsaturated polyester resin, Plastics, Rubber and Composites, 32. [DOI]
Rahmat, AR;Heatley, F;Day, RJ
Peer Reviewed Journal
2002Flexural and interlaminar shear strength properties of carbon fibre/epoxy composites cured thermally and with microwave radiation, 
Nightingale, C;Day, Richard
Other Journal
2002Flexural and interlaminar shear strength properties of carbon fibre/epoxy composites cured thermally and with microwave radiation, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 33. 
Nightingale, C;Day, RJ
Peer Reviewed Journal
2001Conversion of polycarbosilane (PCS) to SiC-based ceramic - Part 1. Characterisation of PCS and curing products, Journal of Materials Science, 36. 
Ly, HQ;Taylor, R;Day, RJ;Heatley, F
Peer Reviewed Journal
2001Conversion of polycarbosilane (PCS) to SiC-based ceramic - Part II - Pyrolysis and characterisation, Journal of Materials Science, 36. 
Ly, HQ;Taylor, R;Day, RJ;Heatley, F
Peer Reviewed Journal
2001Carbon fibre-reinforced CMCs by PCS infiltration, Journal of Materials Science, 36. 
Ly, HQ;Taylor, R;Day, RJ
Peer Reviewed Journal
1998Investigation of the Micromechanics of the Microbond Test, 
Day, Richard;Cauich Rodrigez, J V
Other Journal
1998Effect of microwave post-curing upon the micromechanics of model Kevlar/epoxy composites, 
Day, Richard;Yau, Siu Hua Charlotte;Hewson, Karl D
Other Journal
1998Oxidation protection coatings for C/SiC based on yttrium silicate, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 18. 
Webster, JD;Westwood, ME;Hayes, FH;Day, RJ;Taylor, R;Duran, A;Aparicio, M;Rebstock, K;Vogel, WD
Peer Reviewed Journal
1992SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND STRUCTURE OF GLASSY DIACETYLENE-CONTAINING SEGMENTED BLOCK COPOLYURETHANES, Macromolecules, 25. 
HU, X;STANFORD, JL;DAY, RJ;YOUNG, RJ
Peer Reviewed Journal

Honors and Awards

DateTitleAwarding Body
01-04-2022Fellow Learned Society of Wales Learned Society of Wales
23-02-2013Fellow Royal Aeronautical SocietyRoyal Aeronautical Society
01-08-2011Fellow Institute of PhysicsInstitute of Physics
22-03-1989Chartered Physicist Institute of Physics Institute of Physics
15-10-2020Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and MiningInstitute of Materials, Minerals and Mining

Committees

NameDescriptionFrom/To
Materials and Characterisation Group Committee, Institute of Physics01/10/2021 - 01/09/2023
Research Committee01/11/2016 - 01/11/2023
Academic Board01/11/2016 - 01/10/2023

Employment

EmployerPositionFrom/To
Wrexham Glyndwr UniversityPro Vice Chancellor Research01/11/2016 - 01/09/2030
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, University of SheffieldSecondment01/09/2016 - 01/09/2018
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, University of Sheffield/ National Composites CentreHigh Value Manfacturing Catapult Fellow01/09/2014 - 01/09/2018
Manchester UniversityVisiting Professor01/09/2010 - 01/09/2013

Education

InstitutionQualificationSubjectFrom/To
Queen Mary, University of LondonBScPhysics 
Queen Mary, University of LondonPhDPhysics 
University of BristolMScPhysics of Materials 

Recent Postgraduate Students

YearNameDegreeThesis Title
01/09/2021Natalia LuhynaPhDCure Kinetics of Nanocomposite Epoxy Resin Systems During Conventional and Microwave Cure,
01/09/2021Martyn JonesPhDCarbon fibre reinforced plastic mirrors for space and air observations
01/09/2020Sergey RumyansevPhD Microwave Heating Applied to Curing of a Carbon-Fibre-Epoxy Composite Cylinder