Bill Hooper obtained BSc and PhD degrees in Engineering from University of Exeter. Following post-doctoral research at the University of Strathclyde on the crystal growth of organic materials and the application of X-ray topography to solid state chemistry, he has worked in the Engineering Materials Group in the School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics at Exeter University. His main interests are in the study of the relationship between the microstructure and properties of materials and in particular, the application of indentation techniques in the characterisation of their mechanical properties.

Particular areas of research interest include:

• studies of the mechanical properties, microstructure and wear of ceramics and ultra-hard materials (e.g. diamond and cubic boron nitride) and their use in manufacturing
• studies of the wear processes occurring in hip joint implants with special reference to the fretting at the prosthesis:cement interface
• studies of the formulation, testing and properties of novel dental fillers based on glass ionomer cements; this includes the investigation of the hardness friction and wear of these materials
• the application of indentation techniques in the characterisation of the mechanical properties of materials; especially the study of indentation creep and fracture of ceramics and biocements and the development of appropriate models
• point contact surface fatigue in ceramics and other materials; using the novel soft impresser technique
• engineering failure analysis; including some 70 case studies in a very wide range of materials and components

He has approximately 80 publications and 45 conference presentations in these and other related areas.