Alan Taylor FRSC FIMMM

Alan Taylor joined the ceramics section at TWI in 1995 after gaining his PhD in physics at Warwick University and undertaking post-doctoral work in chemistry at Brunel University. His doctoral and post-document work included research into sol-gel technology, porous glasses, coatings and ceramic matrix composites.

Alan is the TWI Technology Fellow in Coatings Technologies, his particular expertise is in liquid coating systems and surface pre-treatments, but he works closely with colleagues involved in all aspects of surface engineering and adhesive bonding.

A key focus of Alan’s research over the last decade has been advanced siloxane and ceramic coatings for protective and repellent surfaces. Such coatings are used to provide anti-fouling, anti-soiling and anti-ice functionalities for a range of industrial sectors. Industrial adoption of these coating technologies is growing in the light of REACH and other environmentally driven regulations.

Alan provides guidance and support to TWI Industrial Members and colleagues alike on issues such surface roughness, surface chemistry, surface contamination, silane coupling agents, coating assessment methodologies, coating specification and qualification.

He has led over 250 projects across every industrial sector in his 29 years at TWI and contributed to many more. He has nine separate patents and applications in nine families relating to specific industrial applications that utilise advanced materials. He has also mentored many early/mid- career researchers, guiding 12 PhD candidates and two MSc students to successful completion of their courses.

Alan is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and also of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He is a panel member of the EPSRC Future Leader Fellowship Scheme and expert reviewer for the EC, he has reviewed proposal for the Royal Society and has sat on the editorial board for a number of journals. Most recently, he was appointed as guest editor for a new journal collection being assembled by the RSC on the topic of PFAS.

In addition to his technical activities, Alan is a Trustee of The Welding Institute Pension and Life Assurance Scheme and spent 10 years as Chair/Vice-chair of the TWI Staff Consultancy Committee.

Meet the Expert - Dr Alan Taylor

Additional Roles and Activities

1. Core Research Programme Manager (suite of 10 research projects): May 2003 – Nov 2009

2. Member of The Local Organisation Committee of Sol-gel ’97, Sheffield UK

3. Symposium organiser “Nanotechnology enhanced coatings” IMRC 2013 Cancun

4. Member of The Industrial Leadership Group of the Solar Energy Systems Special Interest Group

5. Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Coating Science and Technology

6. Strategic Advisory Board Member for SuperSolar Hub (CREST at Loughborough University)

7. Member of the European Materials Characterization Council (to March 2019)

8. Member of the BSI NTI/1 Standards Committee on Nanotechnology

9. Committee Member of the Surface Engineering Leadership Forum for the UK’s Surface Engineering and Advanced Coatings Initiative

10. Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, elected September 2018.

11. Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, elected November 2018.

12. Expert Evaluator for the European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (Expert Number EX2018D328704)

13. Editorial Board Member of the International Journal of Wetting Science and Technology

14. Royal Society Fellowship Applications Panel Member

15. UKRI Future Leader Fellowship Scheme Panel Member

16. Member of the Industrial Advisory Board for UKRI FLF Programme, ‘Functional Coatings’

17. Review Board Member, MDPI Journal, ‘Coatings’

18. IOM3 Polymers Committee Board Member

Alan has also been involved in instrumental work around advanced coatings based on inorganic-organic hybrids and has nine patents and over 35 published articles (See below).

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TWI Reports, Projects, and Academic Support

TWI Industrial Members’ Reports

Taylor A & Fernie JA, 1998. “A review of sol-gel technology for the fabrication of glasses and ceramics.” TWI Members Report No. 631
Gunner AG, Taylor A, Jackson P and Abell JS, 2005. “Initial development of transparent conducting coatings by a sol-gel route.” TWI Members Report No. 829
Jackson P, Taylor A and Lee CM, 2003. “Corrosion protection of metals by the use of sol-gel coatings.” TWI Members Report No. 777
Taylor A & Barrett L, 2011. "Analysis of Vitolane® Method for the synthesis of Methacrylate functionalised resins.” TWI Members Report No. 1007
Taylor A, 2014. “A review and evaluation of the durability of low surface energy coatings.” TWI Members Report No. 1047
De Bono D, Taylor A and Alvarez MA, 2018. “Selection and assessment of non-stick (low surface energy) industrial coatings for mechanically aggressive applications,” TWI Members Report No. 1102

Collaboration Projects and Key Roles

Title	Funding body	Duration	Roles
Copropel	H2020	2022-2024	Technology consultant
Marewind	H2020	2021-2024	Technology consultant
Battman3D	Innovate UK	2020- 2022	Technology consultant
Isoprep	H2020	2018-2022	Technology and management consultant
Repetex	InnovateUK	2020-2022	Concept originator, technology consultant
Icelip	InnovateUK	2020-2022	Concept originator, technology consultant
Geohex	H2020	2019-2022	Technology consultant
Icemart	InnovateUK	2017-2019	Concept originator, technology consultant
Everclean	Innovate UK	2017-2019	Concept originator, technology consultant
Actin	Innovate UK	2016-2019	Technology consultant
EIROS	H2020	2016-2019	Coordinator, technology consultant, concept originator
Intrepid	InnovateUK	2016-2017	Technology consultant

Solplus	InnovateUK	2015-2017	Concept originator, technology consultant
ISOBIO	H2020	2015-2019	Coordinator, technology consultant, technical manager
INFINITY	H2020	2014-2018	Coordinator, technology consultant
WeldaPrime	FP7	2014-2017	Technology consultant, concept originator
IceFree	TSB	2014-2016	Concept originator, technology consultant
Nirvana	InnovateUK	2014-2016	Technology consultant
NATURAL	FP7	2013-2017	Technology consultant, concept originator
TexShield	FP7	2012-2015	Technical manager
HIPIN	FP7	2011-2015	Technology consultant
CuVito	FP7	2010-2013	Technical manager
LAB-LCV	TSB	2009-2012	Technology consultant
Porpadet	FP7	2008-2011	Coordinator
Solflex	TSB	2006-2009	Technology consultant
Environwood	TSB	2006-2009	Technology consultant
LEADOUT	FP6	2005-2009	Management consultant
SolClear	TSB	2002-2005	Technology consultant
PABS2K	DTI	2002-2006	Technical manager
UHTHE	FP5	1995-1999	Technical manager
Ceramic Scalpel	FP5	1996-1998	Coordinator, technical manager

PhD Student Supervision

Andrea Johnson, 1996. “Sol-gel encapsulation of heterocyclic ligands for aqueous sensing applications.” Brunel University
Glen Parry, 2000. “Scratch resistant coatings produced by sol-gel techniques.” Cambridge University
Cara Mulcahy, 2003. “Aluminium phosphate for use as a binder.” Cambridge University
Yung Hoe-Han, 2006. “Characterisation of organic-inorganic hybrid coating materials.” Cambridge University
Delphine Oben, 2016. “Synthesis of advanced hybrid polymeric nanomaterials and characterisation of novel silsesquioxanes with desirable coating properties.” Open University
Anna Wojdyla-Cieslak, 2016. “New assessment criteria for durability evaluation of highly repellent surfaces.” Brunel University
Laura Vivar Mora, 2017. “Study of the impact on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of silica nanoparticles on a sol-gel based coating.” Leeds University
Marion Bourebrab, 2019. “Development of fire retardants for application on bio-based composite materials.” Edinburgh University
Angelo De La Rosa, 2020. “Understanding and development of functionalised nanoscale components for advanced composite materials.” London South Bank University
Ana Antelava, 2022. “New assessment methodology for wettability evaluation of repellent and super repellent surfaces.” London South Bank University
Aamna Asad, 2018 – to present. “Analysis and quantitative evaluation of functionalised nanoscale silica” Cambridge University
Mohammad Alghelfi, 2024. “Analysis and quantitative evaluation of functionalised nanoscale silica for nanocomposite applications.” Cambridge University
Magali Goncalves-Rego, 2025. “Development of recyclable thermoset resins via the development of a solvent trigger de-curing system.” Open University

External PhD Examiner

Noemi Domínguez. “Approach to the determination of the contact angle in hydrophobic samples with simultaneous correction of the effect of the roughness.” Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. March 2018
Tiphaine ME Lutzler. “Evaluation and optimization of sol-gel coatings for oil and gas applications.” School of Mechanical Engineering. Leeds University. February 2019.

MSc Industrial Supervision

Heider Salazar Salazar, 2018. “Evaluation methods for highly repellent coatings for the aerospace and renewable energy sectors”. Brunel University.
Mohammad Rahmati, 2023. “Review of coating technologies to support the repurposing of the natural gas pipeline network for the hydrogen economy.” Brunel University.

Publications, Patents and Selected Presentations

Orcid: 0000-0002-9633-5037

Peer Reviewed Publications

Taylor A & Holland D, 1993. “The chemical synthesis and crystallisation sequence of mullite.” Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 152 1-17 DOI: 10.1016/0022-3093(93)90439-5
Taylor A &. Sermon PA, 1995. “Chemically controlled porosity in silica aeroglass.” Journal of Porous Materials 2, 267-80 DOI: 10.1007/BF00486571
Fréty N, Taylor A & Lewis MH, 1996. “The microstructure and crystallisation behaviour of sol-gel derived SrO(0.5) – BaO(0.5)-Al2O3-SiO2 glass.” Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 195 28-37 DOI: 10.1016/0022-3093(95)00519-6
Badheka R, Johnson A, Perry CC, Sermon PA, Taylor A and Vong MSW, 2002. “Synergy in macrocycle/SiO2 sol–gel nano-composites.” Journal of Material Chemistry, 12, 3278-3284DOI: 10.1039/b204428p
Han YH, Taylor A, Mantle MD and Knowles KM, 2007. “Sol-gel-derived organic-inorganic hybrid materials." Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 353 313-320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2006.05.042
Han YH, Taylor A, Mantle MD and Knowles KM, 2007. "UV curing of organic-inorganic hybrid materials." Journal of Sol-Gel Science Technology. Vol 43 111-123 DOI: 10.1007/s10971-007-1544-8
Kirwan K & Taylor A, 2007. “Improving the environmental performance of polymer glazing through novel material hybrids.” Plastics, Rubber and Composites 36, (2) 85-90 DOI: 10.1179/174328907X177563
Han YH, Taylor A, and Knowles KM, 2008. "Characterisation of organic-inorganic hybrid coatings deposited on aluminium substrates." Surface & Coatings Technology 202 1859–1868 DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2007.08.006
Han YH, Taylor A, and Knowles KM, 2009 "Scratch resistance and adherence of novel organic-inorganic hybrid coatings on metallic and non-metallic substrates." Surface & Coatings Technology 203 2871–2877 DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2009.03.003
Wojdyla AM, Durand GG, Taylor A, Boyd IW, 2015. “Advanced low energy durable coatings”. International Journal of Energy Research (2015) 39 165–171 DOI: 10.1002/er.3214
De Bono D, Taylor A and Durand GG, 2015. "Towards a standardised metrology for multi-scale characterisation of nanostructured durable hydrophobic coatings". Phys. Status Solidi C 12, No. 3, 287–291 DOI: 10.1002/pssc.201400118
A.M. Wojdyla, A.Taylor, G.G. Durand, Ian W. Boyd, 2017. “New assessment criteria for durability evaluation of highly repellent coatings.” Wear 390-391, 49-60. DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2017.07.001
Bourebrab MA, Durand GG and Taylor A, 2018. “Development of highly repellent silica particles for protection of hemp shiv used as insulation materials”. Materials 2018, 11 (1) 4; doi:10.3390/ma11010004
Vivar Mora L, Taylor A, Paul S, Dawson R, Wang C, Taleb W, Owen J, Neville A, Barker R; 2018. “Impact of silica nanoparticles on the morphology and mechanical properties of sol-gel derived coatings.” Surface and Coatings Technology. Volume 342, 25, 48-56 DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2018.02.080
Jiang Y, Bourebrab M.A., Sid N, Taylor A, Collet F, Pretot S, Hussain A, Ansell M, Lawrence M; 2018. “Improvement of water resistance of hemp woody substrates through deposition of functionalized silica hydrophobic coating, while retaining excellent moisture buffering properties.” ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering 6(8), pp. 10151-10161 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b01475
Bourebrab M.A, Oben D.T, Durand G.G, Taylor P.G, Bruce J.I, Bassindale A.R, Taylor A, 2018; “Influence of the initial chemical conditions on the rational design of silica particles.” Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology 88(2), pp. 430-441 DOI: 10.1007/s10971-018-4821-9
Womack G, Isbilir K, Lisco F, Durand G.G, Taylor A, Walls J.M; 2019. “The performance and durability of single-layer sol-gel anti-reflection coatings applied to solar module cover glass.” Surface and Coatings Technology Volume 358, 25 January 2019, Pages 76-83. DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2018.11.030
Lisco F, Bukhari F, Ulǐcnai S.N, Isbilir K, Barth K.L, Taylor A, Walls J.M, 2020. “Degradation of hydrophobic, anti-soiling coatings for solar module cover glass.” Energies, 13, 15, 3811
Avila-Sierra A, Moreno J.A, Goode K, Zhu T, Fryer P.J, Taylor A, Zhang Z.J. 2023. “Effects of structural and chemical properties of surface coatings on the adsorption characteristics of proteins.” Surface and Coatings Technology Volume 452, 129054

Papers Appearing in Conference Proceedings

Parry G & Taylor A. “Scratch resistant coatings produced by sol-gel techniques.” Presented at the 2nd World Organic-Inorganic Hybrids Conference, June 2000, University of Surrey
McGrath GC, Jones IA, Hilton PA, Kellar EJC and Taylor A. “A competitive advantage through innovation.” Presented at SAE 2001 World Congress, Detroit, Michigan, USA- 5-8 March 2001.
McGrath GC, Jones IA, Hilton PA, Kellar EJC, Taylor A and Sallavanti R. “New advances in plastics joining for high speed production.” Paper presented at 2001 Automotive Transportation Technology Conference, Barcelona, 30 Sept - 3 Oct 2001
Taylor A, Montoya-Vázquez MdP, Ávila-Orta CA and Bukowski M. “CuViTo – the development of novel nanostructured anti-microbial coatings.” 19th International Scientific and Technical Conference, Kontech. Advanced Metal Forming Technologies and Nanostructured Materials. Poznan, Poland. 6-9 May 2012
Naik, S; Rexach A; Taylor A. “Weldable anti-corrosion coatings for the protection of steel”. European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2015.
Bukhari, S.F.; Lisco, F.; Bozorgzad Moghim, T.; Taylor, A.; Walls, J.M. “Development of a hydrophobic, anti-soiling coating for PV module cover glass.” Proceedings of the 46th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist’s Conference (PVSC 46), Chicago, IL, USA, 16–21 June 2019.

Papers Appearing in Conference Proceedings

Parry G & Taylor A. “Scratch resistant coatings produced by sol-gel techniques.” Presented at the 2nd World Organic-Inorganic Hybrids Conference, June 2000, University of Surrey
McGrath GC, Jones IA, Hilton PA, Kellar EJC and Taylor A. “A competitive advantage through innovation.” Presented at SAE 2001 World Congress, Detroit, Michigan, USA- 5-8 March 2001.
McGrath GC, Jones IA, Hilton PA, Kellar EJC, Taylor A and Sallavanti R. “New advances in plastics joining for high speed production.” Paper presented at 2001 Automotive Transportation Technology Conference, Barcelona, 30 Sept - 3 Oct 2001
Taylor A, Montoya-Vázquez MdP, Ávila-Orta CA and Bukowski M. “CuViTo – the development of novel nanostructured anti-microbial coatings.” 19th International Scientific and Technical Conference, Kontech. Advanced Metal Forming Technologies and Nanostructured Materials. Poznan, Poland. 6-9 May 2012
Naik, S; Rexach A; Taylor A. “Weldable anti-corrosion coatings for the protection of steel”. European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2015.
Bukhari, S.F.; Lisco, F.; Bozorgzad Moghim, T.; Taylor, A.; Walls, J.M. “Development of a hydrophobic, anti-soiling coating for PV module cover glass.” Proceedings of the 46th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist’s Conference (PVSC 46), Chicago, IL, USA, 16–21 June 2019.

Selected Conference Presentations

AMI PFAS Workshop: Brussels, June 2nd and 3rd 2025
Invited Talk: PFAS regulation and proposed restrictions – the next stage of evolution

Royal Society of Chemistry; PFAS Alternatives Workshop, London, 6th February 2025
Invited Talk: Advanced siloxane coatings as PFAS alternatives

SPE Middle East Additives and Colour Conference and PFAS Symposium, Riyadh, 16-17 October 2024
Invited Talk:The changing landscape of PFAS - Emerging business risks and future opportunities

AMI PFAS Workshop, Brussels, 10th September 2024
Invited Talk: PFAS: Increasing business risk or new opportunities for alternatives

Cables, Dusseldorf, 3-5 March 2024
Invited Talk: Introduction to PFAS and the emerging business risk

Pipeline Coating, Vienna, 13-15 February 2023
Invited Talk: Emerging challenges and opportunities: Coatings for the hydrogen economy

Second Indo-UK Conference on PV Soiling, Feb 2022
Invited Talk: Importance of surface chemistry and topography on soiling

AMPP Annual Conference + Expo, San Antonio, Texas, USA, March 2022. Paper number: AMPP-2022-17969
Paper Presented: “Advanced materials for condensing heat transfer,” Anna Wojdyla-Cieslak, Imran Bhamji, Alan Taylor, Garima Mittal, and Shiladitya Paul

European Coatings Forum – Façades Coatings, Berlin, Germany Oct 2018
Invited Talk: Novel water repellent and flame resistant treatments for bio-sourced construction materials

Royal Society of Chemistry Symposium 2018, ChemSpec, Nuremburg, Germany June 2018
Invited Talk: Novel functional additives for advanced coatings and resins

The 7th Annual World Congress of Nanoscience and Technology, Fukuoka, Japan (October 2017)
Paper Presented: “A materials-by-design approach to robust ice resistant aerospace coatings,” Alan Taylor, Marta Alvarez, and Géraldine Durand

European Coatings Congress, Nuremberg, Germany (April 2017)
Paper Presented: “Development of highly repellent silica nanoparticles for the protection of bio-based insulation,” Alan Taylor and Nadia Sid

International Workshop on Surface Icing and Assessment of De-Icing / Anti-Icing Technologies, IFAM Bremen, Germany (January 2017)
Paper Presented: “Advanced ice and erosion resistant composites,” Marta Alvarez and Alan Taylor

European Technical Coatings Congress (ETCC) Cologne, Germany (September 2014)
Oral Presentation: “The use of functionalized nanoparticles for surface properties enhancement of coatings for wind energy and aerospace,” Géraldine Durand, Alan Taylor, and Damaso De Bono

International Congress on Surface Finishing in the Aeronautics and Aerospace Industries (SURFAIR), Biarritz, France (June 2014)
Oral Presentation: “Durable anti-fouling/anti-icing coatings: New strategy development,” Alan Taylor and Géraldine Durand

7th European Coating Congress, Ghent, Belgium (September 2013)
Oral Presentation: “Advanced surface treatments using sol-gel”

International Conference on Structural Nano Composites (NANOSTRUCT), Madrid, Spain (May 2014)

Paper Presented: “HIPIN: Synthesis of a high silica content material and its use as raw material for new insulating material for the construction industry,” Géraldine Durand, Alan Taylor, Aurélie Rexach and Shivashankari Sundaram

European Coatings Congress, Nuremberg, Germany (March 2013)

Oral Presentation: “Synthesis of a high silicon content material and its use as raw material for new insulating paint and material for the construction industry,” Géraldine Durand and Alan Taylor

European Coatings Congress, Nuremberg, Germany (March 2013)
Paper Presented: “CuViTo – The development of novel nanostructured anti-microbial coatings”

6th Silicon Days Conference, Lyon, France (September 2012)
Oral presentation: “CuVito: Novel nanostructured anti-microbial coatings,” Alan Taylor and Géraldine Durand

Symposium 1C, Nanostructured Materials and Nanotechnology, XXI International Materials Research Congress, Cancun, Mexico (August 2012)
Invited Talk: “CuViTo: The development of novel nanostructured anti-microbial coatings,” Alan Taylor and Géraldine Durand

Patents

US2004039094. “Coating compositions.” Inventor; Alan Taylor. Assignee; The Welding Institute. Filing date: 22nd March 2001
WO02100798. “Joining material.” Inventors; John Fernie, Alan Taylor, Paul Jackson, Caroline Williams. Assignee; The Welding Institute. Filing date: 8th June 2001
WO03104164. “Heat resistant product.” Inventors; John Fernie, Alan Taylor, Paul Jackson. Assignee; The Welding Institute. Filing date 10th June 2002.
US2005118429. “Coating materials.” Inventor; Alan Taylor. Assignee; The Welding Institute. Publication date: 2nd June 2005
GB2428604. “Fluorosiloxane anti-foul coating on heat exchanger.” Inventors; Stephen John Joyce, Christopher David Whelan, Alec Gunner, Alan Taylor. Assignee; Visteon. Publication date: 2nd February 2007
US7910216. “Process for the production of Organosilsequioxanes”. Inventor; Alan Taylor: Assignee; The Welding Institute: Publication date: 31st May 2007
US2011151186. “Hydrophobic surface.” Inventors; Alexis Lambourne, Alan Taylor, Assignee; Rolls Royce. Publication date: 23rd June 2011
EP 13179954.6 “Meta-colloid hybrid stars.“ Inventors; Carsten Becker-Willinger, Budiman Ali, Mirko Bukowski, Marlon Jochum, Alan Taylor, Géraldine Durand. Assignee; INM. Filing date: 9 August 2013
GB 1521301.0 “Functionalisation methods for metal oxides particles.” Inventors; Alan Taylor, Géraldine Durand, Marta Alvarez, Nadia Sid, Steve Mycock. Assignee; The Welding Institute. Filing date: 2nd December 2015

Published Articles

Alan Taylor and John Fernie, “Vitresyn – clearly better.” TWI Connect: Issue 115, Nov/Dec 2001
Alan Taylor, “Job knowledge for welders 54: Ceramics – Joining, materials and applications.” TWI Bulletin, July 2001
Alan Taylor, “Breakthrough in additives.” Polymers Paint Colour Journal, April 2007
Alan Taylor, “Defined hybrid building blocks.” European Coating Journal, October 2007, 28-33
Géraldine Durand and Alan Taylor, “Addressing fouling build-up inside pipes.” World Pipelines: Coatings and Corrosion, September 2012, p53-56 ISSN 1472-7390
Chris Davison, Geraldine Durand and Alan Taylor, “Addressing fouling build-up through advanced coatings.” Transactions of the Institute of Metal Finishing 91: 233 – 236 (2013)
Alan Taylor, “Low energy treatments for textiles.” Unitex, Nr 2, May 2013, 40-41
Damaso De Bono, Géraldine Durand and Alan Taylor, “Nanostructured coatings in oil and gas applications.” World Pipelines: Coatings and Corrosion, Volume 13, No. 8, August 2013, p129-134 ISSN 1472-7390

Contributions to Books

Co-author, “Welding Handbook Volume 5” (9th Edition, Ceramics, Chapter 9, Materials and Applications, Part 2). American Welding Society, 2015

To contact Alan Taylor and TWI's technical experts, please email:

contactus@twi.co.uk