Polymer and Separations (PolySep) Research Laboratory

Last update:

09/26/2006

Gregory Lewis     University of California, Irvine   B.S. Chemistry (1997)   B.S. Biology (1997)

Research Interests

• Plasma-initiated graft polymerization
• Chemical sensors
• Nanostructuring of polymeric and inorganic surfaces
• Thermodynamics, transport, and sorption kinetics of solutes through grafted polymer layer
• Development of sensitive and robust muli-array chemical sensors
• Membrane scale formation and control

Current Project

My research project focuses on nanostructuring the surface of inorganic oxides through the use of plasma-induced graft polymerization to create a thin, densely grafted layer of uniform polymer chains that is chemically and thermally robust.  A kinetic model for surface graft polymerization will be developed and the surface morphology will be studied through the use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).  An important goal of this study is to demonstrate the suitability of surfaces nanostructured with a single macromolecular layer for chemical sensors. Candidate polymers will be chosen to create model grafted surfaces that will be studied with a mass-sensing Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM).  The QCM  will be utilized to determine organic solute sorption onto the surface polymer phase with nanogram precision.  Ina addition,  surface sorption kinetics will be determined in order to evaluate the suitability of the grafted polymer for sensor applications. The approach that will be developed in the present study will be the basis for tailor-designing sensors to identify and quantify target solutes in the biotech, environmental, and defense industries.

Publications:

Presentations:

Contact Information

Send e-mail to Gregg