Dr. Rivers' career interests include structure-process-property relationships of nanocomposites and nanoparticles, nanoparticle synthesis, nanoparticle joining and oriented attachment, thermoset curing, the glass transition, and their relationship to material properties.  He is interested in work ranging from fundamental characterization to high-level device design and manufacture. Currently his focus is inkjet-printing of electrically conductive polymers and bio-compatible hydrogel nanocomposites for functional and sensing applications.

His future interests include development and characterization of active materials for medical prosthetics: flexible sensor materials, mechanically actuating polymer-based nanocomposites, nano- and meso-technology components for implantable artificial organs, flexible and transparent electronics.

Dr. Rivers is currently continuing his research at the University of Nottingham, UK, with the Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM), investigating functional materials for inkjet 3D printing, including electrically conductive, flexible, and transparent materials. His previous post-doctoral positions were at the University of Waterloo, as a Post-doctoral Researcher, concurrently with in the Surface Science & Bio-nanomaterials Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, and the Impact Mechanics and Material Characterization Group, Mechanical Engineering.