Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Institute

2006

YEAR BOOK

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University of Ulster

James McLaughlin

Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Institute

Professor James McLaughlin, Professor Paul Maguire; Professor Brian Meenan, Professor John Anderson; Professor Eric McAdams; Professor Waqar Mimed; Dr Patrick Lemoine; Dr Pagona Papakonstantinou; Dr Tony Byrne; Dr Desmond Brown; Dr Adrian Boyd; Dr Dorian Dixon; Dr Alistair Mcllhagger; Dr Up Singh; Dr Justin Quinn and Dr Alan Leacock.

New Carbon Nanotube facility at the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio Engineering Centre (NIBEC)

The Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio Engineering Centre (NIBEC) has just completed the installation and commissioning of its brand new ECR-microwave PECVD system, and for the first time begun production of highly aligned, orientated carbon nanotubes.

SEM image of highly aligned carbon nanotubes grown on NIBEC's new ECR-Microwave PECVD System

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical carbon molecules with novel properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications including nano-electronics,drug delivery, optics, materials applications, and sensors. They also exhibit extraordinary tensile strength and unique electrical and thermal properties

PhD Student lyer Swaithi inspects the new nanotube system at NIBEC

NIBEC have been investigating the use of CNTs in various applications including biosensors and have worked with a number of key collaborators including the National Taiwan University, Cambridge University and Ege University in Turkey. The installation of this new system will now position NRI as a lead centre in the UK and Ireland for the fabrication and functionalisation of CNTs.

The Carbon Based Nanomaterials Group at NIBEC is led by Dr Pagona Papakonstantinou who has been instrumental in development , of the centres infrastructure, expertise and collaborations in this area. Studies are focusing on elucidating interactions between DNA and CNTs in light of developing biomolecular hybrids and protocols that will provide a foundation for future bioelectronic devices.

Commenting on the latest addition to NIBEC's world class suite of equipment, Director Professor Jim McLaughlin was excited about benefits this system would bring to the centres on-going research programmes;
"NIBEC has been involved in carbon nanotube research for a number of years now and we see tremendous opportunities for this material in a range of biomedical applications. Having an in-house facility to produce our own high quality nanotubes will really allow us to accelerate our research and expand our knowledge of this exciting material"

Contact: Professor James McLaughlin
Nanotechnology and Integrated Bio Engineering Centre (NIBEC)
University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, BT37 OQB
Tel: (44) (0) 2890 368933. Secretary: 44 (0) 2890 366329. Fax: (44) (0) 2890 366863
E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.engineering.ulster.ac.uk/nri/ (Roy - this link out of date)
http://www.nanotecni.com/