Problem solving with advanced technical models

I'm a scientist who writes software for a purpose. Like most people, I can't grasp the full implications of a theoretical model just by looking at an equation. I create programs so that I, and others, can understand the practical implications of technical theories.

Inputs and outputs are designed to be in formats that can be used for real-world follow-up on what the models suggest: improved formulations, better coatings, optimized adhesion, enhanced solubility etc.

This numerical approach is a direct assault on "intuition-based" advice. My own experience is that intuition very often leads to the exact opposite of reality. And although numerical predictions are never perfectly accurate, they provide a shape to discussions and sets of testable hypotheses.

Three specific examples of my technical software are discussed on this website:

• Hansen Solubility Parameters in Practice
• HLD-NAC surfactant software
• Surface Profiler

With Prof Johann Wiechers I have produced Formulating for Efficacy, the Software , a new approach for designing effective skin delivery systems for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Johann is an acknowledged expert in the field of cosmetics delivery and we have combined his knowledge with the science of Hansen Solubility Parameters to produce a powerful software package for use by practical formulators.

Other examples include TopCoat and TopWeb written with my colleagues at RheoLogic , the Autotype Digital Screen Printer suite written when I was Research Director at MacDermid Autotype and image analysis software, Image Analyzer and ProScopeHR Image Analyzer which are published by Bodelin.

I have plenty of ongoing software projects so I can't envisage taking on many all-new ones. However, with such a large array of generally useful techniques it's not too hard for me to make custom applications in a specific area. I have, for example, written a number of stand-alone multi-layer diffusion modellers where the basics such as a robust, generalised Fickian engine and versatile input-outputs (e.g. via Excel) and graphing engines can be coupled to very different sets of diffusion issues.