In particular, his research has focused on two areas: damage tolerance and failure analysis (fractography) of composites, and multifunctional composites (structural power).
Regarding the former, his fractographic expertise has led to involvement in high profile component failure investigations (e.g. Formula One crashes), as an expert witness in litigation cases and publishing the seminal book on fractography. Other highlights include research on certification of composite structures, for which he was awarded the Sir Vernon Brown Prize by the Royal Aeronautical Society. Regarding Structural Power, he has pioneered the development of structural composites which have the capacity to store and deliver electrical energy, and leads one of the largest Groups in this field.