Switchable materials in response to external stimuli serve as building blocks to construct microscale functionalized actuators and sensors. Azobenzene-modified liquid crystal (LC) polymeric networks, that combine liquid crystalline orientational order and elasticity, reversibly undergo conformational changes powered by light. We present a computational framework to describe photo-induced topogr...

ToF-SIMS has been used in the analysis of latent fingerprints (dactyloscopy) with a view to use in forensic and biomedical applications. Szynkowska et al have demonstrated that SIMS can be employed to produce images of whole fingerprints on inorganic surfaces such as steel, brass and glass (1). We demonstrate the detection of a range of exogenous materials in fingerprints including industrial l...

Bioactive coatings are in high demand to increase the functions of cells for numerous medical devices. The objective of this in vitro study was to characterize osteoblast (bone-forming cell) adhesion on several potential orthopedic polymeric materials (specifically, polyetheretherketone, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene) coated with either titanium or gold u...

The emerging areas of polymer nanocomposites, as some are already in use in industrial applications and daily commodities, have the potential of offering new technologies with all manner of prominent capabilities. The incorporation of nanomaterials into polymeric matrix provides significant improvements, such as higher mechanical, thermal or electrical properties. In these materials, interface/...

The usage of amorphous solids in practical applications, such as in medication, is commonly limited by the poor long-term stability of this state, because unwanted crystalline transitions occur. In this study, three different polymeric coatings are investigated for their ability to stabilize amorphous films of the model drug clotrimazole and to protect against thermally induced transitions. For...

Electrospun polymeric fibers have been investigated as scaffolding materials for bone tissue engineering. However, their mechanical properties, and in particular stiffness and ultimate tensile strength, cannot match those of natural bones. The objective of the study was to develop novel composite nanofiber scaffolds by attaching minerals to polymeric fibers using an adhesive material - the muss...

ni-p and ni layers multilayer coatings were applied to az31 magnesium alloy utilizing electroless and electrodeposition procedures. the aim of the project was to decrease cracks and increase corrosion resistance of the coatings. in order to compare the coatings, the effect of single layer electroless ni-p coatings with different thicknesses was also investigated. the microstructure and phase co...

Radar, which is an electronic and electromagnetic system that works with the use of radio waves to detect locate objects, has led need for radar absorber materials some military applications, especially defence security. In this study, barium hexaferrite copper powders were used investigate a absorbing composite material. Barium synthesized by Sol-Gel method. added polyurethane resin at differe...

The reported work was focused on sol–gel-derived organically modified and fluorinated silica coatings deposited elastic polymeric foil. structure topography of the were tested by infrared spectroscopy microscopic studies. functional properties determined using thermal analysis, surface oxygen permeability tests. barrier feature investigated materials against correlated with coatings. hybrid (or...

Nowadays, there are almost limitless applications for microparticles. Microparticles are used as components in many advanced materials and composites, in the healthcare and personal grooming industries, and in many research and development applications. This review presents an overview of recent and current studies carried out at the Particles, Polymers and Biomaterials Technology Group of the ...