THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MELTS AS NANO-MATERIALS. We shall theoretically study and predict the possible morphologies of a wide range of block copolymer architectures with a combination of simulations and accurate numerical theories. These block copolymer melts are of great technological importance because they can self-assemble into morphological patterns which are periodic on a nano-scale. Hence they are now being intensively investigated for uses in applications ....THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF BLOCK COPOLYMER MELTS AS NANO-MATERIALS. We shall theoretically study and predict the possible morphologies of a wide range of block copolymer architectures with a combination of simulations and accurate numerical theories. These block copolymer melts are of great technological importance because they can self-assemble into morphological patterns which are periodic on a nano-scale. Hence they are now being intensively investigated for uses in applications as diverse as lithographic templates for electronic and optical devices, nano-porous membranes and photonic band gap materials. We shall verify our theoretical predictions by carrying out experiments on the various molecular architectures that we have studied theoretically.Read moreRead less
Ion Implanted Polymers as New Plastic Electronic and Superconducting Materials. A current focus of the electronics industry is developing electronic circuitry and devices on plastic. Such 'soft electronics' offer significant benefits over conventional 'hard' electronics including low cost large-scale production, mechanical flexibility and chemical versatility. We recently discovered that plastic electronic and superconducting materials could be created using a process called ion implantation. ....Ion Implanted Polymers as New Plastic Electronic and Superconducting Materials. A current focus of the electronics industry is developing electronic circuitry and devices on plastic. Such 'soft electronics' offer significant benefits over conventional 'hard' electronics including low cost large-scale production, mechanical flexibility and chemical versatility. We recently discovered that plastic electronic and superconducting materials could be created using a process called ion implantation. This project aims to develop these new materials for potential applications including plastic superconducting electronics, low-cost lightweight plastic circuitry for use with other organic/inorganic electronic materials and electrodes for interfacing with biological systems to create biosensors and biomolecular electronics.Read moreRead less
Nanofabrication of Organic (Plastic) Semiconductor and Superconductor Devices. Organic crystals and thin-films are the first known materials to display all four regimes of electrical conduction - insulator, semiconductor, metal and superconductor. Additional properties such as self-assembly, biocompatibility, molecular level control over properties and flexibility give them exceptional prospects for future industrial applications. We will fabricate organic transistors and conduct detailed invest ....Nanofabrication of Organic (Plastic) Semiconductor and Superconductor Devices. Organic crystals and thin-films are the first known materials to display all four regimes of electrical conduction - insulator, semiconductor, metal and superconductor. Additional properties such as self-assembly, biocompatibility, molecular level control over properties and flexibility give them exceptional prospects for future industrial applications. We will fabricate organic transistors and conduct detailed investigations of their electrical and magnetic properties to develop a fundamental understanding of these new materials. Most significantly, we will make the first use of an atomic force microscope-based oxidation lithography technique to fabricate nanoscale quantum devices that exploit the full range of conduction in a single material.Read moreRead less
Micro-patterning of fluoropolymer surfaces for electronic and biomaterials applications. Formation of micro-patterned structures on fluoropolymers including PTFE, FEP and PVDF will be performed using micro-contact printing techniques in combination with surface graft co-polymerisation; an innovative convergence of two emerging technologies. Surface modification and structures formed will be investigated using contact angle measurements and mapping, and surface analytical techniques (XPS and TOFS ....Micro-patterning of fluoropolymer surfaces for electronic and biomaterials applications. Formation of micro-patterned structures on fluoropolymers including PTFE, FEP and PVDF will be performed using micro-contact printing techniques in combination with surface graft co-polymerisation; an innovative convergence of two emerging technologies. Surface modification and structures formed will be investigated using contact angle measurements and mapping, and surface analytical techniques (XPS and TOFSIMS). Processing methodologies will be identified which allow formation of micrometre scale tracks, and selected area deposition of sensor films and reactive biomaterials. Trial device fabrication will be undertaken using conditions and device structures similar to those required for production of diagnostic sensors and arrays, and polymer-based electronic devices.Read moreRead less