Johan Verbeek
Senior Lecturer, Engineering, University of Waikato
Johan has been with the University of Waikato of 8 years now, having previously come from the University of Pretoria. His research interests lie mainly in waste and by-product valorisation with an emphasis on renewable materials and biological products. In recent years, Johan's research has led to the development of protein-based thermoplastics from bloodmeal. This project has led to the establishment of spin-off company, Novatein Ltd, which is in the process of registering worldwide patents. A New Zealand national patent was granted in 2009. This area covers a wide range of topics, such as polymer extrusion, rheology, material properties, protein analysis, chemical modification of proteins as well as protein composites and nano-composites.
Other topics of biological nature include protein recovery from waste water and recovery and modification of chicken feathers suitable for polymer composites. Johan also has a strong interest in polymer composites, such as particulate polymer composites and short fibre polymer composites. It is important to him that his work will make a difference to someone and that it's relevant to industry.
In his spare time, Johan enjoys running, squash, woodworking and restoring antique furniture.
Johan's Research Interests:
Use of renewable materials to produce polymeric composites, polymer modification and reactive extrusion, biodegradable polymers, prediction of mechanical properties of polymer composites.
