Dr. Max Babenko,

Senior R&D Engineer

Biography

I have graduated from the University of Bradford in 2011with BEng degree in Civil and Structural Engineering. In the summer of 2011, Ihave embarked on a summer internship at the Centre for Polymer Micro and NanoTechnology. Here, I have conducted rigorous high shear strain rate rheometryexperiments on a variety of polymers. My responsibilities also extended to themanufacturing of light and energy collection devices using conventionalinjection moulding, in addition to contributing to an industrial collaborationproject with Network Medical Products Ltd.

Following my summer internship, I was offered a fully fundedPhD to investigate heat transfer at the cavity-polymer interface inmicroinjection moulding. Whilst undertaking my PhD studies I was contributingto teaching as demonstrator and teaching assistant, and I am an AssociateFellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) since 2018.

In the autumn of 2015, after graduating with my PhD, Iundertook a Postdoctoral research project collaborating with a leading chemicalcompany (SABIC) to assess and benchmark medical grade polymer materials fortheir applicability in the manufacturing of polymer microneedles. The studyincluded customised off-line and online measurement techniques forcharacterisation of material behaviour at each stage of manufacturing process.

Following that, I delved into a research project focused onpredicting and controlling crystal initiation, growth, and orientation duringthe processing of semi-crystalline polymers. The objective was to gain insightsthat would empower the design of crystallinity and properties of polymerproducts, thereby enhancing their performance and functionality.Currently, I am part of a consortium comprising partnersfrom academia, industry, NGOs, and charitable bodies, engaged in a pioneeringproject supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our collectiveeffort is directed towards developing innovative microneedle technology forpain-free and discreet contraception delivery in low-income countries. Thisgroundbreaking initiative involves intensive pre-clinical research aimed at creatingmicroneedle patches that can be self-administered in seconds, offeringcontraceptive protection for up to six months. Our aspiration is to revolutionisecontraception access for vulnerable women worldwide, thereby empowering themwith greater control over their reproductive health and choices.

Other Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the management of MNT facilities,ensuring their continuous operation, safety, and suitability for intendedpurposes.

• Engaging directly with diverse stakeholders,including academic collaborators at national and international levels,industrial partners, University of Bradford academic and administrativepersonnel, as well as postgraduate and undergraduate students.
• Taking charge of health and safety compliancefor the Polymer MNT laboratories, encompassing room and equipment H&S riskassessments.
• Preparing laboratories for significant externalevents such as open days, AVDs, industrial visits, and promotional activities,including targeted student marketing initiatives and the promotion of BradfordManufacturing Week.
• Coordinating service and maintenanceappointments for cutting-edge processing equipment and overseeing servicecontractors during their on-site visits, including the Battenfeld Micropower, HitachiSEM, Sensofar S-Neox microscope, and Biomomentum Mach 1.
• Collaborating with industrial partners todefine project scopes and deliver R&D initiatives, with a focus ontroubleshooting and effective stakeholder communication to ensure the highestquality outcomes.
• Administrating of laboratory equipmentmanagement system, Clustermarket, utilised across the Polymer IRC labs andencompassing 70 independent facilities. This involves creating entries fornewly acquired equipment and managing the expanding user base.