Research Supervisor Connect
An experimental study into the interactions between protein solutions and slippery PDMS coatings.
Slippery liquid-like surfaces are smooth nanothin layers that offer ultra-low resistance to the motion of liquid droplets, which in turn is correlated with very low rates of bacterial fouling and low adhesion of many unwanted solid particles. However, the process by which they prevent or delay bacterial fouling is not understood.
In this PhD project, we will study the mechanism of protein aspecific adsorption on different families of coatings, and establish whether slippery coatings differ from traditional monolayers in their response to protein adhesion. The project involves investigating the physico-chemical properties of slippery surfaces, and addressing unknown differences due to the high mobility of the grafted layers. This research will be conducted in the Neto laboratories in collaboration with biologist and biomedical device expert Dr Anna Waterhouse.
The project primarily involves performing experiments using a wide range of surface modification techniques, and surface characterisation techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry, and reflectometry. The modification of solid surfaces using advanced surface coatings will be performed both in the lab and through external collaborations. Interested students should source their own scholarship, as detailed on the University’s website. This project is particularly suited to students who have experience in physical chemistry, biomedical engineering or physics.
Additional supervisor: A/Prof Anna Waterhouse
Project keywords: nanoscience, contact line motion, contact angle hysteresis, protein adsorption
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 3606