Modern scientific and engineering developments are increasingly reliant on precise control of material structure, composition and morphology. Within the Department, a number of groups are developing strategies to advance the understanding of engineering structures at the micro and nano scales. Technology resulting from this research theme has been patented by the University with a view to commerical exploitation.
The reproducible and robust production of well defined microstructures facilitates the development of materials for use in both next-generation processes and the quantitative measurement of chemical and biochemical phenomena. The study of processes at these length scales requires the development of advanced mathematical modelling techniques. Current research includes:
- The study of the effect of colloid structure on their physical properties
- The development of nanoparticles for targeted therapy
- Structural analysis of large biomolecules
- Development of novel polymer micro-extrusion techniques