Research Interests
Nano- and micropatterning
Production of high resolution nano- and microstructures in the range of 20-4000nm, using a combination of soft lithography and nanolithography. Currently, our focus is on controlling the self-assembly of block copolymers to form surface patterns, the use of 2-photon polymerisation for template printing, as well as investigating naturally occurring nanostructures such as those found on cicada wings and the wings of butterflies.
Materials development
We have a keen interest in the design and fabrication of sustainable and degradable polymer materials. One of our main projects is in developing nano- and microstructured polymer membranes. We are members of the SFI Plastics Challenge Award team, Grain-4-Lab, where we are working on polylactic acid synthesis from waste material. In addition, we have secured funds through the SFI National Challenge Fund for the PUreTex project to development sustainable polyurethane insulation foams using waste textile materials as the starting material. We have also worked with the European Space Agency to prepare samples which landed on the moon in 2023.
Testing at the biointerface
The final focus of our research is in controlling cell behaviour on surfaces. We are currently investigating the use of our materials as antibacterial and antibiofouling surfaces, for controlled drug delivery, and for wound care applications.
Production of high resolution nano- and microstructures in the range of 20-4000nm, using a combination of soft lithography and nanolithography. Currently, our focus is on controlling the self-assembly of block copolymers to form surface patterns, the use of 2-photon polymerisation for template printing, as well as investigating naturally occurring nanostructures such as those found on cicada wings and the wings of butterflies.
Materials development
We have a keen interest in the design and fabrication of sustainable and degradable polymer materials. One of our main projects is in developing nano- and microstructured polymer membranes. We are members of the SFI Plastics Challenge Award team, Grain-4-Lab, where we are working on polylactic acid synthesis from waste material. In addition, we have secured funds through the SFI National Challenge Fund for the PUreTex project to development sustainable polyurethane insulation foams using waste textile materials as the starting material. We have also worked with the European Space Agency to prepare samples which landed on the moon in 2023.
Testing at the biointerface
The final focus of our research is in controlling cell behaviour on surfaces. We are currently investigating the use of our materials as antibacterial and antibiofouling surfaces, for controlled drug delivery, and for wound care applications.
Collaborations
Our group currently collaborates with the following researchers and their groups:
Dr Ruairí Brannigan (School of Chemical Sciences, DCU)
Prof. Eoin Casey (School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, UCD)
Dr Aidan Cowley (European Space Agency)
Dr Colm Delaney (School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)
Dr Larisa Florea (School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)
Dr Brian Freeland (School of Biotechnology, DCU)
Dr Jennifer Gaughran (School of Physical Sciences, DCU)
Dr Keith Rochfort (School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, DCU)
Dr Ruairí Brannigan (School of Chemical Sciences, DCU)
Prof. Eoin Casey (School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, UCD)
Dr Aidan Cowley (European Space Agency)
Dr Colm Delaney (School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)
Dr Larisa Florea (School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)
Dr Brian Freeland (School of Biotechnology, DCU)
Dr Jennifer Gaughran (School of Physical Sciences, DCU)
Dr Keith Rochfort (School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, DCU)
Funding
We are very grateful to Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council, the European Research Council, Mergon International, Intel Ireland, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the School of Chemistry, UCD, and the School of Chemical Sciences, DCU, for supporting our research.