The researchers are working on nanotechnology approaches in two interpenetrating domains: development and production of additives for purification and removal of impurities from oils.
Nanoparticle suspensions (sometimes termed nanofluids) have emerged as an exciting new R&D area because of their unique wetting and transport properties.
This group has found through their microbiology department that bacteria do not like adhering to certain surfaces and they have ideas for a manufacturing method of producing polymer components that would have these surface profiles, in effect mechanically preventing microbial colonization.
The Institute’s technology for surface modification is based on the electrochemical and chemical synthesis of polymeric thin films or polymer brushes that attach chemically to the surface.
Current research is focused on the preparation of nanostructured metal coatings that retain their desirable mechanical properties such as hardness and corrosion resistance in a variety of environments by providing surfaces of differing surface energies and topology that can reduce the likely adhesion of fouling species.
The group in this Institute has extensive experience in nitride and carbide based nanostructured coatings by magnetron sputtering technique, and diamond like carbon coatings....
