Development of new antimicrobial surfaces- for oral health care and wound dressings
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The project will involve the synthesis and characterisation of a new class of wound healing agent using light. We will seek to understand the mechanism of how light kills microbes on nanoparticle incorporated polymers. We will understand the physical chemistry of how nanoparticles absorb light and transfer this into radicals or singlet oxygen. This will be achieved by measuring fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance and chemical assays. This understanding will enable us to make more effective medical grade polymers with light activated agents and surfactants (by optimising the amounts needed and location within the polymer) to enhance wound healing and help reduce for example the occurrence of bed sores. The project will also look at the residues of trace chemicals on polymer materials and the ways that surfaces can be transformed to inhibit biofilms formation by changing the surface microstructure and chemical composition
Planned Impact
The impact of the research in the M3S Centre for Doctoral Training will be substantial and widespread. Materials performance underpins a large number of industrial processes, which are instrumental in maintaining global wealth and
health, as well as playing a key role in developing processes that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. The work supported by the Centre will have impact on the industrial sector, including chemicals, energy, healthcare and electronics industries; on the economy and society; and on scientific communities - not only academic, but also industrial and public sector - in chemistry, physics, materials and computational science and engineering. The training and research carried out in the Centre will impact in particular on:
* The Economy, through the industrial focus of the centre and pairing up of individual students with industrial collaborators, who provide the specific research problems, thereby ensuring that all research is topical and of immediate interest to the UK commercial sector. By bringing measurable benefits to UK industries, including trained manpower, the Centre will therefore contribute to the continuing competitiveness of the UK economy. For example, catalysis - one of the major sponsored research themes in our Centre - is at the heart of the chemical industry - an immensely successful and important part of the overall UK economy, generating in excess of £50 billion per annum.
* Society, by developing functional materials for a wide range of beneficial applications, including renewable and sustainable energy sources, which will stabilise energy supplies and alleviate pressure on the environment, and healthcare
applications, thus maintaining the quality of life of an ageing population. In addition, society - and not only industry - will benefit from the provision of trained researchers to fill skills gaps in the STEM subjects.
* The General Public to whom the work of the Centre will be communicated by the website and a variety of outreach events - for example the student-led sixth form event - with which we will promote the key role of materials developments and computational modelling in areas of general interest to the public, including energy technologies and healthcare.
* People, through the technical expertise and research skills developed by the students through the programme; the training received by them in entrepreneurship, project management, languages, business and other transferable skills, and awareness of societal and ethical issues; the fruitful links with industry initiated through the research projects, and the communication skills developed through conference presentations and seminars, public outreach activities and the sixth form event.
* Knowledge, both academic and commercial, as the new molecular-level insight into the performance of functional materials will deliver significant advances in (nano)materials design and optimisation and will thus enhance the knowledge
base of chemical, energy and other relevant industries and underpin materials engineering sectors;
* Government and the public sector, as the training of skilled researchers and research into functional materials will address the eight Future Technologies recently identified by the Science Minister. In addition, the development of
alternative energy sources will assist in meeting targets to reduce CO2 emissions as laid down in international agreements, whereas improvements in materials for healthcare applications will relieve pressure on the NHS and other care
organisations.
health, as well as playing a key role in developing processes that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. The work supported by the Centre will have impact on the industrial sector, including chemicals, energy, healthcare and electronics industries; on the economy and society; and on scientific communities - not only academic, but also industrial and public sector - in chemistry, physics, materials and computational science and engineering. The training and research carried out in the Centre will impact in particular on:
* The Economy, through the industrial focus of the centre and pairing up of individual students with industrial collaborators, who provide the specific research problems, thereby ensuring that all research is topical and of immediate interest to the UK commercial sector. By bringing measurable benefits to UK industries, including trained manpower, the Centre will therefore contribute to the continuing competitiveness of the UK economy. For example, catalysis - one of the major sponsored research themes in our Centre - is at the heart of the chemical industry - an immensely successful and important part of the overall UK economy, generating in excess of £50 billion per annum.
* Society, by developing functional materials for a wide range of beneficial applications, including renewable and sustainable energy sources, which will stabilise energy supplies and alleviate pressure on the environment, and healthcare
applications, thus maintaining the quality of life of an ageing population. In addition, society - and not only industry - will benefit from the provision of trained researchers to fill skills gaps in the STEM subjects.
* The General Public to whom the work of the Centre will be communicated by the website and a variety of outreach events - for example the student-led sixth form event - with which we will promote the key role of materials developments and computational modelling in areas of general interest to the public, including energy technologies and healthcare.
* People, through the technical expertise and research skills developed by the students through the programme; the training received by them in entrepreneurship, project management, languages, business and other transferable skills, and awareness of societal and ethical issues; the fruitful links with industry initiated through the research projects, and the communication skills developed through conference presentations and seminars, public outreach activities and the sixth form event.
* Knowledge, both academic and commercial, as the new molecular-level insight into the performance of functional materials will deliver significant advances in (nano)materials design and optimisation and will thus enhance the knowledge
base of chemical, energy and other relevant industries and underpin materials engineering sectors;
* Government and the public sector, as the training of skilled researchers and research into functional materials will address the eight Future Technologies recently identified by the Science Minister. In addition, the development of
alternative energy sources will assist in meeting targets to reduce CO2 emissions as laid down in international agreements, whereas improvements in materials for healthcare applications will relieve pressure on the NHS and other care
organisations.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ivan Parkin (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Georgia Fleet (Student) |