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Dr Bob Jones

Research Officer

Bob Jones

Room: A57 Physics Building
Tel: +44 (0)1524 594972
FAX: +44 (0)1524 844037
Email: robert.jones@lancaster.ac.uk

Research Interests

My original training was in Biophysics (Leeds, 1970) and most of my research activities since then have had a strongly interdisciplinary flavour. They have ranged from Magnetic Resonance in Biochemical systems (Oxford, 1970 - 1975) to more Physics- and Device-orientated work at Lancaster (1978 - present). For 12 years my main research interest was in thin Molecular Films, particularly Langmuir-Blodgett Films and their potential applications in optical and electronic devices. Although I have now worked in a Physics Department for 20 years I would still be equally at home in new collaborations involving Chemistry or Biology. Over the last 5 years I have been actively involved in 3 main areas of research:

  • Scanned Probe Microscopy (AFM and STM) particularly of organic materials and polymers, and force-distance studies with powder particles. Since 1997 I have been involved in an IFPRI (International Fine Particle Research Institute) collaboration to study adhesion and friction forces between individual powder particles using AFM and relate this to their bulk cohesion and flow properties.
  • Organic thin films with interesting electrical and optical properties, particularly phthalocyanines and polymer LED's.
  • NMR, mostly running a routine service for chemists but with occasional research possibilities.

Teaching

This has varied widely over the years but has recently involved:

  • First year "Elements of Physics" laboratories and seminars.
  • Lecture modules on the "Physics of Surfaces and Thin Films" (with particular emphasis on techniques), "21st Century Materials", the "Physics of Semiconductor Devices", "Looking at Light" and "Medical Physics".

Other Activities

I am responsible for co-ordinating the LAMSA (Lancaster Materials and Surface Analysis) service for outside customers, commercial activities and income generation in Physics, and the annual Science week (SET) activities in Physics.