The on-going collaboration between the Surfactant & Colloid group from the University of Hull and Dr. Velev’s group, here, at NCSU has given me the opportunity to work in Raleigh from December 2005 to December 2006. My previous research in Hull was concerned with the preparation of anisotropic latex particles

1. Flying saucer
2. Partially coated
3. Ellipsoidal shaped
4. Janus

Some of the materials prepared then will be used for the project I will be working on at NCSU.

Project Title: Induced motion in modified colloidal suspensions

My research in Dr. Velev’s group is concerned with the use of such anisotropic systems for smart materials applications. We will focus on developing colloidal systems that are able of auto-motion or directed motion under the influence of an external force. In this project we will be using electric field forces as well as high frequency wave energy to induce and control the motion of modified particles. Latex and silica particle surfaces will be chemically or physically modified in order to prepare colloids highly responsive to external stimuli.