Nanocomposite Biomaterials: creating functional nanocomposite biocompatible materials that have controlled responsive and selective surface properties

Project Ref: PHDSS1710.

This interdisciplinary research challenge would endeavour to create functional nanocomposite biocompatible materials that have controlled responsive and selective surface properties. Bio-functional nanomaterials aim to reconstruct the nanoscale surface and to mimic the biological environment, taking account of molecular structure, function and orientation.

A number of “nano” materials can be utilised, thus there is scope for the researcher to elaborate but here our overall directive would be to develop / synthesise carbon nanotube and graphene based nanocomposite biomaterials (GNB), thus exploiting diverse biomedical applications. GNBs can be composed of graphene nanoparticle (NP) dispersed in polymers or functionalised NP that are copolymerised with synthetic or natural polymers. Characterisation of these new biomaterials will be by optical, electron and atomic probe microscopes. The biomaterial interaction with biomolecules using spectroscopic ellipsometry, neutron reflectivity and fluorescence techniques are to be planned. The candidate would also explore the compliance of these materials with cells, interaction with proteins, the potential use in biomedical engineering and develop GNB based prototype products.

The successful candidate will be based within a multidisciplinary setting that enables further training in advanced physicochemical characterisation (Ellipsometry, AFM, SANS), cell culture and organic synthesis. The flexibility within this research can allow the student to develop the project toward physics, biology or chemistry; however preference for master’s student with experience of polymer or nanomaterial synthesis, and/or cell culture would be beneficial.

The research is collaborative effort between the UWS, Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research (IBEHR), Laboratory for Molecular Surfaces and Nanotechnology (LAMSUN) at University of Catania, Italy. Thus travel would be expected for research to other university collaborators. Candidates are expected to have an excellent disposition, attention to detail, withstand a fast learning curve, good communication and enthusiasm.