Mechanics
of Nanostructures and Nanomaterials
AFM force-distance
(fd) curves
are employed to probe 1) the nanomechanical properties of individual
macromolecules,
soft nano/microparticles and ultrathin polymer films and 2) the
interactions between solid surfaces at the nanoscale.
We work in several systems including:
-
Nanomechanics
of biocompatible
thin-shell hollow microspheres used as contrast agents
(microbubbles) for ultrasonic imaging and potentially for targeted
drug/gene delivery (with Dr Vassilis Sboros, Dr Carmel Moran, Dr Steve
Pye,
Prof. Jim Ross and Prof. Norman McDicken, College
of Medicine, UoE).
-
Interactions
between a salt crystal
and a mineral surface
in an electrolyte solution (system associated with mechanics of stone
decay, with Prof. Chris Hall and Dr Andrea Hamilton).
We
fabricate carbon nanotube
(CNT)
polymer composites using
copolymers for improved dispersion and
interfacial bonding. We are also investigating the adsorption/adhesion
of polymers with CNTs and the mechanical properties of individual
carbon
nanotubes using theory and simulations (with Prof. Michael Zaiser, IMP
and
Prof.
Rebecca Cheung, IMNS, UoE).
Former
PhD
students: Qianqian Li, Mingjun Yang, Damien Thuau
We
use surface topography and
analysis techniques
such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning white light
interferometry (SWLI)
and reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS, collaboration with Dr
Jamie Cole, Physics, UoE) on deformed and undeformed sample surfaces to
probe their mechanical and surface properties. This work is supported
by the theoretical and computational modelling
pioneered by Prof. Michael Zaiser (IMP, UoE).
PhD
student: Apostolos
Evangelopoulos.
Former
PhD students: Jan
Schwerdtfeger,
Frederic
Madani Grasset.
|
|
