With close collaboration between members, the group focuses on developing a fundamental understanding of materials processing and its impact on resultant characteristics and properties, with the strategic aim of advanced device fabrication and integration into industrial manufacture. Specific equipment grants have led to the creation of the most advanced academic laboratories in the EU for carbon thin-films. Fundamental strengths include novel multi-techniques for measuring hardness, thickness, internal stress and adhesive strength on ultra-thin (1nm–50nm) carbon layers (Lemoine). A number of carbon-based processes are now integrated into industrial manufacture (e.g. Seagate). The group has designed and constructed a suite of advanced multi-functional plasma systems with integrated specialist diagnostic tools for concurrent measurement of plasma and materials properties during growth (e.g. Maguire/Morley EPSRC GR/L83349, GR/M64956 and EP/F025955/1). This facility is being developed towards high-pressure capabilities for general large area/low cost processing and precision three-dimensional coatings for medical implants, with patents and commercialisation in progress (proof-of-concept programme completed PoC003). Research on Carbon Nanotubes (CNT’s) (£205K-Papakonstantinou-NMP4-CT-2004-505626-DesynIT) includes the investigation of a range of plasma and electrochemical functionalisation techniques and is currently focussed on the controlled growth and properties of CNT arrays for biomedical and biosensor applications.

The groups capability to grow CNT structures have been enhanced by the recent acquisition of the world’s first custom-designed microwave system (Seki, Japan) for dedicated oriented nanotube production. The challenge of understanding CNT nanostructure dependence is tackled by a suite of in-house analysis techniques and enhanced by access to synchrotron and neutron diffraction facilities (Royal Soc./ Nuffield/ STREP EU (2004-2007) and numerous CCLRC awards (Papakonstantinou-Boyd). Applications of CNTs as electrochemical platforms for bio-sensing applications are being investigated (two Royal Society/GSK-Cast Award/ and British Council-UKIERI) and toughened composite structures (aerospace-Bombardier A.McIlhagger).