(6fn) Functional Nano-Surfaces for Transformative Materials in Biological & Energy Applications

My research interests are in surface science, thin films, and nanostructures. Surface
science has a very broad impact on industrial, environmental, electronic,
biotechnological, biomedical, and military applications. The focus is to modify and
design synthetic functional nano-surfaces in two different areas: (1) biological, and
(2) energy-related applications. The first area of research includes designing
biologically active surfaces for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine,
drug/nanoparticle delivery, and antimicrobial surfaces. Our aim is to design
biocompatible surfaces in which nanoparticles and drugs are embedded in various
biodegradable polymers for combinational therapy. Our main goal is to create
controlled staggered-release delivery vehicles to embed and deliver various
biologically active constituents. The second area of research is to modify surfaces to
create smart materials for energy applications. We will study the structures in
complex fluids in terms of aggregation, precipitation, and adsorption to modify
surfaces against corrosion and fouling in complex fluid transportation. We will
employ microfluidics to study these complex systems.