Surface Engineering

• Surface modification of materials
• Functional, photocatalytic, wear resistant and protective coatings
• Ceramic, polymeric and metallic coatings

Thin Film Deposition

• Magnetron sputtering
• Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)
• Other deposition processes

The main research areas we are currently working on are

Atomic layer deposition on polymer substrates

In this work we are studying methods of achieving high quality ceramic film deposition at near to room temperature. In particular, we are studying plasma activated deposition and its effect on the process and the characteristics of the deposited film.

Photocatalytic materials by atomic layer deposition (ALD)

Here we are working on improving the efficiency of photocatalytic materials by controlling the crystal structure and modifying the bandgap. The bandgap modification is done by doping with various elements or by nanolaminate structures where ultra-thin layers of different compositions are used as a doping tool. We are also studying the combination of gas plasmas and photocatalytic materials for reducing environmental pollution.

Continuous and roll-to-roll atomic layer deposition

One major limitation of current ALD processes is their inability to deposit in a roll-to-roll process for large scale production. We have developed a continuous ALD process for deposition onto moving flexible sheets and we are currently extending this principle to a complete roll-to-roll process. The initial applications for this process is moisture and oxygen diffusion barriers for paper-based packaging and for plastic electronics to improve the lifetime of the products.

Large area deposition of nanoparticles

We are involved in a project to create "smart" wound dressings which will both indicate the presence of an infection and fight against it by turning bacteria's own weapons against themselves. Our part in this is to develop efficient methods of attaching the active nanoparticles which carry out these functions to the surface of the wound dressing.

Atomic layer deposition of polymer films

We are developing new processes for developing ultrathin polymer layers on materials be ALD. These could have applications in microelectronics, sensor materials or other areas.