Overview of Research

The group’s research interests include, cabon based thin-film coating science including Diamond-Like Carbon and nanomaterials fabrication related to devices such as biosensors. Other related research areas include Surface Plasmon Resonance sensors; Biosurfaces and the fabrication of nanostructures for bio-templates.

Key Projects

Diamond Like Carbon

Ultra–thin DLC coatings can contribute to improved wear resistance, decreased stiction, and can result in lower friction coefficient and improved corrosion protection for numerous applications. Approaches such as deposition of DLC films on silicon pre-coated substrates, doping the DLC with different elements, development of PECVD and FCVA DLC deposition are all been investigated within the group for medical, data storage, MEMS, electrical and packaging applications.

Filtered vacuum cathodic arc (FVCA) offers scope for improved deposition capability and flexibility. High-density plasmas with up to 96% ionisation fractions are available and this has delivered tetragonal a-C layers with up to 85% sp3 fraction, i.e. highly diamond-like.

Nanomaterials Device Fabrication

Projects in the area of nanomaterials focus on nanotube growth and the ability to control nanotube diameters and chirial index (m, n). Nanotubes are fabricated in our new Microwave ECR CVD system under a range of controls such as power; catalyst type/size; temperature etc.. The nanotubes are grown with various in-house catalysts (can be nano-templated) ranging from Ti; Fe; Ni and on several substrates including Si; AlTiC; glass; ITO and magnetic media. Our current focus is on the application of these materials for bio-sensing; microfluidic and heat assisted applications in the areas of medical sensors and data-storage.

Point of Care Sensors

The scientific focus of this area involves the development of novel platform technology for producing low-density microarray biochips for Point-of-Care applications. These are based on microstructured polymer chips with arrays of specific antibodies immobilised on the surface. Antibody and protein arrays are currently of major interest in the healthcare industry for the early diagnosis of many harmful diseases and conditions. In this project, the binding of specific antibodies to their target molecules (cardiac markers) has been monitored using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors

SPR biosensing is a highly sensitive label free optical detection technique, that utilises the interaction between a surface plasmon wave at a metal dielectric interface and a total internal reflection induced evanescent wave. Most of the available SPR systems rely on the Kretschmann configuration whereby transverse magnetic (TM) polarised light striking the back internal surface of a prism, beyond the necessary critical angle establishes an evanescent field. Biomolecular activity taking place at the metal dielectric interface alters the refractive index on the surface. This shift in refractive index alters the momentum conditions required for resonance and this is monitored as a shift in the SPR signal.

Within the research group within NIBEC novel methods of improving biomolecular attachment at the gold sensing surface are being actively investigated. FIB nano-patterning of the sensing surface has been demonstrated to enhance the rate of protein binding as monitored by SPR. Deposition of coatings and nano-textures/structures of the order of 3-5 nm can be activated to promote rapid biomolecule monolayer formation.

Collaboration

The group is currently involved in major projects with the following universities Dublin City University; Queen’s University Belfast; University of Surrey; Cambridge University; and has recently signed new MOU’s with the following strategic partners; IIT Mumbai (India); NTU Taiwan; University of Illinois and Northeastern University. Technology transfer is also of key interest with alliances with Sensor Technology and Devices Ltd; Heartsine; System Labels and Heartscape.

Industrial Partners

Recent industrial contracts include research in the area of amorphous carbon (DLC) coated medical guidewires, stents and patented plasma based co-axial DLC coatings of very long wire and 3D products. Sensor developments within the group have also led to technology transfer and include major licensing and consultancy programmes. Recent company alliances include: Seagate; Intel; Medtronic; Boston Scientific; as well as a wide range of Northern Ireland SME’s.

For further information please contact the Group Leader: Professor Jim McLaughlin

E: jad.mclaughlin@ulster.ac.uk

T: +44 (0)28 9036 8933