Characterisation of Nano-Particulates in Natural Systems
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Institute of Materials Research
Abstract
Characterisation of the primary nano-particulate crystallites that make up natural and synthetic structures is of increasing importance in industrial, biological and environmental application. This Advanced Fellowship aims to build on existing studies by the applicant, his collaborators, and his PhD students, and will focus on the determination of the surface characteristics that appear to differentiate nano-particle minerals in natural systems (environmental and biological) from those in synthetic systems. In particular the underlying hypothesis is that dynamic exchangeable (or thermodynamically unstable) surfaces are a consistent feature of primary particles in natural systems that then shape the physical characteristics at the macroscopic level, in particular explaining aspects of exchangeability, turnover, mechanical strength and interaction with organic molecules. The application draws on the latest analytical electron microscopy techniques available in the physical sciences and, with novel application, applies them to the environments of natural systems which are very sensitive to electron beam irradiation. This leading edge structural analysis will provide fundamental data that will then be used to probe the function of the particle in the system. Therefore the application truly serves to advance potential understanding and cross-disciplinary interaction.
People |
ORCID iD |
Andrew Brown (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Wallace R
(2013)
Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by flame spray pyrolysis and characterisation protocol
in Journal of Materials Science
Vaughan G
(2012)
Characterisation of Synthetic Two-line Ferrihydrite by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Vaughan G
(2010)
Low-electron fluence STEM-EELS analysis of ferrihydrite nano-particles approaching the Ångstrom scale
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Vallina B
(2013)
Amorphous dysprosium carbonate: characterization, stability, and crystallization pathways
in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Vallina B
(2014)
Enhanced magnetic coercivity of a-Fe2O3 obtained from carbonated 2-line ferrihydrite
in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Vallina B
(2015)
The role of amorphous precursors in the crystallization of La and Nd carbonates.
in Nanoscale
Singh N
(2012)
The role of iron redox state in the genotoxicity of ultrafine superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
in Biomaterials
Simoes T
(2014)
Microstructural characterization of low and high carbon CoCrMo alloy nanoparticles produced by mechanical milling
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Scott A
(2008)
Effects of aerosol heating rate on the properties of aggregates of lead zirconate titanate nanoparticles produced by spray pyrolysis
in Journal of Materials Science
Sader K
(2010)
Quantitative analysis of image contrast in phase contrast STEM for low dose imaging
in Ultramicroscopy
Description | I have developed methods to characterise nanoparticles in natural environments such as cells and frozen fluids by electron microscopy. Thus we can explore the structure and chemistry of these particles to explore how these environments might affect the particles' properties. |
Exploitation Route | I have progressed to a full academic in this area of electron microscopy. Others will use the microscopy techniques developed in this work for similar nano particle, nano toxicology and nano medicine investigations. |
Sectors | Chemicals,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |