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Title: Adhesive contact interactions between nanorough biomedical materials
Background:
Contact and non-contact molecular interactions between two bodies play an important role in many natural and industrial processes such as cell–cell and cell–material interactions , drug delivery systems and medical prostheses. Adhesion also has a significant influence on friction and wear performance of contacting surfaces in medical devices for total joint replacement (TJR).
The overall aim of the proposed work is to develop new models of adhesive contact between biomedical and pharmaceutical nanomaterials.
Methodology:
In this proposed work new experimental and numerical techniques for simulations of adhesive contact between rough surfaces of biomedical and pharmaceutical nanomaterials will be developed. The objectives of the proposed research are the following:
1. The adhesion model will be further developed based on the existing Prokopovich’s multi-asperity adhesion model [1-2]. Adhesive properties of the particles will be correlated with the following properties of the materials such as:
• microstructure;
• surface roughness;
• surface topography.
2. Capillary forces and its effect on adhesion will be taken into account in the proposed model.
3. The developed model will be validated against AFM experiments measuring pull-off forces. Influence of relative humidity on force of adhesion will be studied.
Reference:
1. Prokopovich P, Perni S. A Multi-asperity Contact Adhesion Model for Universal Asperity Height and Radius of Curvature Distributions. Langmuir 2010; 26(22): 17028–17036.
2. Prokopovich P, Perni S. Comparison of JKR- and DMT-based multi-asperity adhesion model: theory and experiment. Colloids and Surfaces A, in press DOI 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2011.01.011, 2011.
Start date of PhD: 1st October 2012
Informal Enquiries: Dr Polina Prokopovich, prokopovichp@cardiff.ac.uk +44(0)29208 75820.
Requirements: Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above, in Colloid and Surface Science/Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering (Tribology, Mechanics of Materials).
Eligibility: The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,590 per annum. Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed. Outstanding students will be eligible for the award of a prestigious President’s Scholorship. http://www.cf.ac.uk/presidents/
This project is 50% funded by the Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University and 50% funded by the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineeing Centre of Excellence http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/arcbbc/index.html
Discipline Hopping: Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacy, Material and Mechanical Engineering (nano- and bio-tribology), Nanotechnology and Orthopaedics.
Apply on line to Dr Polina Prokopovich, Welsh School of Pharmacy:
Closing Date: 30 March 2012.
Background:
Contact and non-contact molecular interactions between two bodies play an important role in many natural and industrial processes such as cell–cell and cell–material interactions , drug delivery systems and medical prostheses. Adhesion also has a significant influence on friction and wear performance of contacting surfaces in medical devices for total joint replacement (TJR).
The overall aim of the proposed work is to develop new models of adhesive contact between biomedical and pharmaceutical nanomaterials.
Methodology:
In this proposed work new experimental and numerical techniques for simulations of adhesive contact between rough surfaces of biomedical and pharmaceutical nanomaterials will be developed. The objectives of the proposed research are the following:
1. The adhesion model will be further developed based on the existing Prokopovich’s multi-asperity adhesion model [1-2]. Adhesive properties of the particles will be correlated with the following properties of the materials such as:
• microstructure;
• surface roughness;
• surface topography.
2. Capillary forces and its effect on adhesion will be taken into account in the proposed model.
3. The developed model will be validated against AFM experiments measuring pull-off forces. Influence of relative humidity on force of adhesion will be studied.
Reference:
1. Prokopovich P, Perni S. A Multi-asperity Contact Adhesion Model for Universal Asperity Height and Radius of Curvature Distributions. Langmuir 2010; 26(22): 17028–17036.
2. Prokopovich P, Perni S. Comparison of JKR- and DMT-based multi-asperity adhesion model: theory and experiment. Colloids and Surfaces A, in press DOI 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2011.01.011, 2011.
Start date of PhD: 1st October 2012
Informal Enquiries: Dr Polina Prokopovich, prokopovichp@cardiff.ac.uk +44(0)29208 75820.
Requirements: Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above, in Colloid and Surface Science/Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering (Tribology, Mechanics of Materials).
Eligibility: The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,590 per annum. Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed. Outstanding students will be eligible for the award of a prestigious President’s Scholorship. http://www.cf.ac.uk/presidents/
This project is 50% funded by the Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University and 50% funded by the Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineeing Centre of Excellence http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/arcbbc/index.html
Discipline Hopping: Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacy, Material and Mechanical Engineering (nano- and bio-tribology), Nanotechnology and Orthopaedics.
Apply on line to Dr Polina Prokopovich, Welsh School of Pharmacy:
Closing Date: 30 March 2012.