Alan D. Roberts
Dr
Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre
Brickendonbury
Hertford
United Kingdom
SG13 8NL
Email:
adroberts@tarrc.co.uk
Biographical Sketch: Dr Alan Roberts, retired deputy director of the Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (formerly MRPRA) has been in fundamental rubber research, notably in contact phenomena, for over 40 years.
He began his research on the friction and lubrication of elastomers at the Cavendish Laboratory in the Physics Department of the University of Cambridge, England, leading to a Ph.D. in 1968.
He developed a simple method for studying adhesion that led to the original JKR equation published in 1971. The publication is said to be one of the most widely quoted in the scientific literature.
Later he investigated the sliding friction of rubber on wet surfaces, and on ice, and showed the surprising effects of pH and salt concentration. His entire career has been devoted to examining and explaining the frictional properties of rubber, both vulcanized and unvulcanized.
His work has had an impact in many practical cases, including for tires, windshield wipers, seals and other rubber products.
Papers:
Rubber Contact Phenomena