Amphiphilic Silver Delivery of Bactericidal Delivery in Coatings  This technology is a method for embedding metals (specifically, silver) into coatings and textiles across a variety of applications. Silver has a variety of uses in pharmaceuticals and has found increasing application as a bactericide and in treatments for conditions ranging from severe burns to Legionnaires Disease. This technology enables textile coatings incorporating the bactericidal properties of silver into diverse range of products such as catheters, stents, implants, hospital garments, free flow filters, mattress covers, carpeting and air filters. |
Frontier Carbon Materials  Dr. Yap leads a very focused effort in the atomic bonding control of frontier carbon materials. The majority of his time is specifically spent improving recent innovations in the field such as growing carbon-nitride crystals at 800C and 15 atm. Approximately half of Dr. Yap’s work could be classified as highly theoretical with a 10-15 year discovery horizon and the other half being directed in the general direction of a more near term application (5 year horizon). |
Coatings Research Institute The CRI's two-fold mission is to be a leading academic organization that develops relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and for expanding the science and technology of paints, coatings, inks, adhesives and related nano-based materials. Areas of expertise represented in the CRI include, among others, coating technologies and formulation, polymer modification, cross-linking mechanisms and enabling technologies such as nanotechnology (nanoparticle materials), polymer structure/property relationships, characterization, vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FT-IR), thermal analysis (DSC,DMA,TGA, DEA) and nanotribology. |
Surface Science and Nano-Tribology Laboratory (SSNTL) The Surface Science and Nano-Tribology Laboratory (SSNTL) is equipped with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM), a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), a Nano Indenter XP system, a Localized Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (LEIS) and other major equipment. Ongoing activities includes studies of surface mechanics and nano-tribology, as well as surface structure of polymeric coatings and other molecular films, and corrosion mechanisms at the micro and nano-scale. For example, a modified SPM has been used to study mechanical properties of nanomaterial and the newly developed Localized Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscope (LEIS) enables measurement of the impedance dot by dot with a resolution of microns while it scans across the surface of sample. Combined with Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), that can image surface morphology with nano and sub-nano resolution, this technology allows investigation of corrosion mechanism in micro and nano-scale. Other areas of expertise include the mechanisms of fouling release coatings (nanotribological properties of non-toxic fouling release coating systems) and micro mar resistance (MMR), and different responses of the coatings/materials to scratch stress. |
National Dendrimer and Nanotechnology Center  The National Dendrimer and Nanotechnology Center is the catalyst for dendrimer-based research initiatives. The Center’s current research agenda focuses on several types of dendrimer and nanoscale sciences: Drug encapsulation, release and disease targeting protocols are being established and tested for cancer therapy and anti-flammatory drug systems using a range of dendrimer carrier structures; researching cytotoxicity of dendrimers and other nanoscale structures; the use of dendrimers as a catalyst in the production of carbon nanotubes at the lowest temperatures recorded; the attachment of oligonucleotides to dendrimers for targeting, amplification or detection in biological systems; development of nuclear magnetic reagents which allow higher resolution and site specific targeting to disease or inflammation; stabilization of nano-crystals or quantum dots with unique optical, electronic or other properties for use in bio-labeling, and flat panel display technologies; development of lower-cost synthetic routes to new proprietary dendrimers and dendritic polymers; development of dendrimers as in-vivo nano-diagnostic agents and devices. |
Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Novel Materials This research program has been focused on the synthesis, characterization and application of various novel materials including thin films, nanotubes, and new nanostructures of carbon, boron nitrides (B-N), carbon nitrides (C-N), and boron-carbon nitrides (B-C-N); single crystals and nanowires of wide band-gap semiconductors (AlN, GaN, ZnO); and new nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals (CLBO, GdYCOB, KAB). The methodology incorporates a Dual-RF-plasma Pulsed-Laser Deposition (PLD) System used to coat catalyst thin films for the growth of carbon nanotubes. |
Nanostructural Materials The objective of this research is to design new and improved routes to interesting and industrially useful nanostructural materials and thin films. This program of research has produced a discovery in the field of carbon nanotubes that is likely to allow for the low-cost and marketable fabrication of plastics that are lightweight, dependable, and extremely resistant to fracturing. Fahlman's recent breakthrough - growing amorphous carbon nanofibers from iron-encapsulated dendrimer catalysts at ambient temperature - means that, for the first time, the complexity associated with carbon nanostructural growth has been simplified to mixing the reactants and stirring them at room temperature. |
Assessing Intra- and Inter-molecular Interactions The main focus of this research program is the development of accurate methods for assessing intra- and inter-molecular interactions in molecular simulations with empirical force fields. High-level ab initio quantum data are used as a source of fitting data and as a benchmark for testing the resulting techniques. Explicit treatment of electrostatic polarization and other many-body interactions receives a very special level of attention. This methodology is then employed in various applied projects such as computer simulations of proteins and protein-ligand complexes. This area is crucial in modern computer-aided drug design. Another important application is simulating surfaces of thin films (Langmuir mono- and multi-layers) and processes upon or under such surfaces. A variety of self-assembly events can take place in these systems. The applications range from synthesis of self-assembling compounds to creation of new materials and nano-scale molecular electronics devices (molecular computers). |
Optimization of the Conductivity and Transparency of ITO Thin Films This research program is broadly defined as a study of the electrical, optical, chemical and structural characteristics of Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) deposited on Glass and Polymer substrates. Indium Tin Oxide is a transparent, conducting material with a variety of applications in display devices, photovoltaic devices and heat reflecting mirrors. Basic understanding of the material properties from energy band structure calculations, deposition parameters are the key tasks in this research effort. The sheet resistances, optical transmittances and microstructures are determined using four-point probe, spectrophotometer, x-ray diffractometer and transmission electron microscope. |
Fracture of Ceramics at High Strain Rates This research program is designed to yield understanding of the influence of microstructure on the high strain rate behavior of ceramic materials. High strain rate experiments are being conducted on ceramics fabricated in the laboratory so that control over the micro-structural features can be maintained. Initial work has focused on high purity aluminum oxide which was densified without the aid of sintering additives while still maintaining a fine grain size of 1-2 xb5m. Variations in grain size and porosity are achieved using additional heat treatment. Damage in shock loaded specimens is evaluated using a variety of techniques. The information from these systematic investigations is being used to develop models which will include the effects of microstructure as well as the loading conditions on deformation and fracture behavior. |
Plasma Deposition for Coating Applications Plasma deposition may be used to apply coatings for a wide range of applications. However, the complexity of the process has led to primarily empirical advances in system design and coating development. The goal of this research program is to develop a more fundamental understanding of processing- structure-property relationships in plasma sprayed coatings and splats (the `building blocks' of coatings). These studies should lead to more rapid coating development and to the tailoring of coating characteristics. Systematic variations in plasma temperature and velocity as well as the powder particle size are used to assess their influence on splat and coating structure and properties. |
Solidification of Ceramics This research program represents an investigation of the solidification of ceramics as an alternative processing route and as a means of providing ancillary data for a plasma spraying program (Plasma Deposition for Coating Applications). The commercialization of these materials depends on the ability to achieve high critical current densities (Jc), but the necessary Jc values have not been achieved in sintered material. The approach being explored is to eliminate as much nonsuperconducting grain boundary as possible by aligning the grain boundaries so that applied supercurrents could run parallel to the boundaries with the eventual goal of producing single crystals. |
Contact Angles on Materials with Heterogeneous Surfaces This research program is an exploration of the interaction of fluids with heterogeneous solid surfaces are particularly important in material surface-based industrial processes such as printing, patterning, fabrication of MEMS devices, separation of plastics, de-inking flotation, and others. Because these interactions depend on the nature of the heterogeneity, its size, morphology, and distribution, a comprehensive study of the interaction between fluids and heterogeneous surfaces is an important advance. The results are being used to test available theories of wetting phenomena; experiments involve real-world heterogeneous materials and “well defined” heterogeneous surfaces composed of adsorbed and self-assembled organic layers of varying functionality, structure, and density. Both atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurement technique are used in examination of interactions of fluids of varying polarity with heterogeneous surfaces. |
Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to Analyze Surface Energy of Pull-off (Adhesion) Forces Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is capable of characterizing solid surfaces at the microscopic and sub-microscopic scales. As demonstrated in several laboratories in recent years, it can also be used to determine the surface tension of solids based on adhesion (pull-off) force measurements. Before AFM force measurements can become an accepted technique for particle-substrate adhesion characterization, individual problems causing irreproducibility of the measurement must be resolved. This is particularly important in the measurement of pull-off forces in very complex geometry systems that are of importance to the industry. For example, this research program has resulted in measures of the adhesion forces between pharmaceutical particles with irregular geometry and polymeric surfaces of varying roughness in a gas of controlled humidity level. |
Biointerfaces/Bioadhesion for Characterization and Modification of Implant Surfaces Metals and alloys, such as titanium and stainless steel, rely on the presence of an oxide film to act as a barrier preventing further oxidation in active environments, such as the human body. It is also the oxide film that forms the interface between the biomaterial and the body, with which cells and proteins interact. Oxide films vary in properties, depending in part on the method by which they are formed and the environment in which they are placed. These and other factors dictate the properties of the film such as thickness, roughness, composition, heterogeneity, electronic properties, and wettability, all of which play a role in cell interaction. This program of research is directed toward understanding the effect of surface properties of biomaterials on their biocompatibility. Students also chemically modify the surfaces of implant materials to improve osteoblast adhesion and differentiation. For example, a novel technology for formation and growth of bone-like apatite coatings on implants has been developed and then used in testing osteoblast cell activity on fabricated implant-apatite composites. |
Recovery of Polystyrene in Lost Foam This technology emerged from a research program initiated to assist the metal casting industry in prevention of polymer waste disposal, and to promote engineering solutions leading to reuse of the polymer. Our research strategy was based the principles of modern mineral processing technology to polymer recovery. The program includes particulate characterization, examination of surface-interfacial properties of the pattern components, development of an analytical technique for contaminant concentration measurements, shredding and size reduction, and selective separation testing based on component density. Our results indicate that as high as 98% of the polystyrene can be recovered, while the level of coating contaminants did not exceed 5 wt% in the final product, after using the developed technology. |
Surface Chemistry Features of Flotation Deinking A program of research has produced significant findings for a number of technologies focused on deinking. First, flotation deinking through flocculation of fine ink particles could be improved using synthetic copolymers. Second, findings indicated that polyalkylene oxide/fatty acid mixture, common surfactant blend in flotation deinking systems, has a dual role in separation of ink particles. Polyalkylene oxide serves as a frother, building stable froth layer that allows the floated ink particles to be skimmed from the top of the flotation cell. The fatty acids activated by calcium ions serve as collector and promote attachment of ink particles to gas bubbles. Finally, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been applied to recovered paper deinking systems for measuring the interfacial forces acting between pulp particulates. This new analytical technique mimics the conditions of recovered paper pulping and deinking separation at a micro scale. A new procedure for the preparation of spherical toner has been developed in collaboration with the University of Utah. Next, systematic measurements of interfacial forces in flotation deinking systems have been undertaken. For example, it was found that attractive hydrophobic forces are the dominant forces in flotation deinking systems. The repulsive forces are only significant in low ionic strength solutions. This observation has important practical implications indicating that the process water used in the paper recycling mill should carry enough dissolved ions to eliminate the negative effect of an energetic barrier associated with negative surface potentials on water-air and ink-water interfaces, on the attachment of ink particles to gas bubbles. It was further shown that the range of hydrophobic forces increases and the energy barrier decreases in the presence of calcium carboxylate. |
Environment-induced Embrittlement of Intermetallic Alloys Several intermetallics are extremely susceptible to embrittlement by water vapor; among these are the iron aluminides, alloys which otherwise have considerable promise as structural materials because of their low density, high resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and low cost. It is suspected that for these materials hydrogen embrittlement results from the reaction of the alloy surface with water vapor. This program of research incorporates measurements of fracture toughness and sub-critical crack growth under controlled chemical and electrochemical conditions to gain information about the kinetics of embrittlement. Structural characterization includes transmission electron microscopy. |
Exploiting Low-density Intermetallic Alloys New cubic trialuminides based on titanium have been formed recently by selective alloying with chromium or manganese. These new low density alloys have good strength at high temperatures and excellent oxidation resistance. In this research program, ductility enhancement is being established through determination of the nature of the dislocations carrying the deformation by means of transmission electron microscopy and computer simulation of images. Exploitation of these materials as thermally sprayed protective coatings for a variety of materials is also being studied, as is their use in intermetallic composites formed with various ceramic reinforcements. Finally, ultrahigh pressure hot isostatic pressing of mechanically alloyed trialuminides is being examined as a means of producing nanostructured versions of these materials. |
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