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
Mu Q
(2014)
Systematic investigation of the physicochemical factors that contribute to the toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles.
in Chemical research in toxicology
Raza M
(2012)
Texture, transport and mechanical properties of graphite nanoplatelet/silicone composites produced by three roll mill
in Composites Science and Technology
Burke I
(2010)
The fate of technetium in reduced estuarine sediments: Combining direct and indirect analyses
in Applied Geochemistry
Li X
(2008)
The Preparation and CVD Densification of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Felt Synthesized by a Catalytic CVD Method
in Chemical Vapor Deposition
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
Bonneville S
(2011)
Tree-mycorrhiza symbiosis accelerate mineral weathering: Evidences from nanometer-scale elemental fluxes at the hypha-mineral interface
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
LI X
(2008)
Water assisted synthesis of clean single-walled carbon nanotubes over a Fe2O3/Al2O3 binary aerogel catalyst
in New Carbon Materials
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 |