Research Interests

1. Active Materials

The use of bio-inspired artificial and mechanized actuators and sensors is not a new concept, however the limitations caused by traditional mechanization (weight, response time, etc) and the resulting challenges to the users have led to research on smart materials.  These materials can be made to be lightweight and could provide mechanical motion depending on thermo- or electro-based stimuli. This research could potentially revolutionize biomimetic applications vis-à-vis bio-inspired actuators and sensors and directly have an impact in many sectors such as biomedical, energy, and manufactruing.  Examples of such materials are shape memory materials, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, polymers gels, electrets, and ionic polymer metals composites. The optimum design of such an actuator/sensor requires a thorough understanding of the physio-mechanical response of these polymers. We are  spearheading this fundamental and critical review of appropriate constitutive models and an investigation evaluating the accuracy of application of these models.

2. Biomaterials

The use of bioscaffolds in human tissue engineering applications is becoming a critical aspect of regenerative medicine and has significant impacts on the ability of patients to heal quickly with minimum side effects.  The scaffold requirements range from the ability to provide structural integrity during tissue growth through being porous and permeable to permit the ingress of cells and nutrients, to exhibiting the appropriate surface structure and chemistry for cell attachment, all while gradually degrading into biocompatible products. Our research is leading the way in transforming solid biopolymers,  into porous scaffolds using benign techniques.  Furthermore, it improves the application of synthetic tissues in microfluidics cell line studies, drug delivery systems and in medical imaging techniques.

3. Sustainable Materials
 

We are conducting research work on the development of sustainable materials such as bio-based polymers, nanocomposites and hybrids with promising and innovative results. Nanoclay, Carbon nanotubes, biofibers composite structures in polymer matrices have been obtained using various fabrication methods. The characteristics of the dispersion and type of particles structure obtained have also been verified. Furthermore, the dominant mechanism for particles dispersion in polymer/nanocomposites is identified. The mechanical, physical and transport properties and their models in polymer nanocomposites are elucidated. This research aims to the fundamental understanding of the interaction of polymer matrix with nano particles, and in determining the optimum processing and materials parameters required to obtain micro and nanocomposites for various applications such as automotive, aerospace, electronic packaging etc.