Order from chaos: Rational design of biointerfacing plasma polymer coatings. The project goal is to facilitate a new generation of bio-interface platforms to be designed using plasma processing. Functionalised plasma polymer surfaces used for bio-interfaces result from random processes in the plasma phase and at the surface. While rules-of-thumb exist for tailoring simple functionalised plasma polymers, detailed knowledge linking plasma processes to surface chemistry is lacking. Using a homologo ....Order from chaos: Rational design of biointerfacing plasma polymer coatings. The project goal is to facilitate a new generation of bio-interface platforms to be designed using plasma processing. Functionalised plasma polymer surfaces used for bio-interfaces result from random processes in the plasma phase and at the surface. While rules-of-thumb exist for tailoring simple functionalised plasma polymers, detailed knowledge linking plasma processes to surface chemistry is lacking. Using a homologous series of precursors, the project aims to unravel physical and chemical plasma processes to enable retention of complex surface functional groups which are critical for subsequent surface processing. This is designed to be achieved by linking plasma physics and chemistry via plasma phase mass spectrometry and surface analysis.Read moreRead less
Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable i ....Design of Tough, Durable and Corrosion-resistant Coatings. Coatings are frequently applied to components operating in harsh environments to enhance durability. Often such coatings exhibit low toughness and poor corrosion resistance that leads to premature failure. The aim of this project is to design, characterise and test innovative coatings that exhibit unique architectures based on natural materials such as teeth and nacre. It is envisaged that these coatings will be hard, tough and durable in hostile, corrosive environments, and will thus, transform industries such as manufacturing, mining and offshore oil exploration as well as enhance the lifetime of prosthetic devices.Read moreRead less