Dr Colin Crick

Research Interests: Nanopores, Surface Enhanced Raman, Nanoplasmonics, Microfluidics Superhydrophobicity, Oil-Water Separation, Biosensors, Solid-state Nanopores.

Functional Devices for Single Molecule Detection and Lab-on-Chip Applications

The development of novel biosensors is important for many industries, especially in healthcare, and in the advanced analysis of DNA, proteins and other bio-molecules. The main area of Dr. Crick’s research is the development of novel nanopore devices, which are aimed to provide enhanced performance and additional functionality to these systems.

Additional interests involve the use of micrometre scale systems (microfluidics), which have been used to carry-out chemical reactions and analysis, and has long been established as a method for improving the efficiency, and speed of processes carried-out using traditional techniques. This improved performance stems from the small-scale at which these systems operate; through facilitating the use of small quantities of starting material, and the implementation of microscale effects (such as larger surface-area to volume ratios), in addition to other factors. Dr. Crick’s research focuses on the use of advanced materials within these devices to enhance their functionality further. This includes highly water repellent (superhydrophobic) surfaces, which are used redirect flow within the microfluidic channels, but are also being studied for their use in the purification of oil-contaminated water.

Other materials which are currently a focus include photo-active materials, such as titanium dioxide and light activated antimicrobials (organic dyes). The use of these components as a method for preventing microfluidic system contamination is also under investigation.

Mini Bio:

Colin graduated from University College London where he earned his MSci (Hons) and PhD. He has carried out Postdoctoral research at Cornell University as a Fulbright Scholar, and is now a post-doctoral fellow at Imperial (awarded by the Ramsay Memorial Fellowships Trust).

Selected Publications:

• M. C. Draper, C. R. Crick, V. Orlickaite, V. A. Turek, I. P. Parkin and J. B. Edel, Anal. Chem., 2013, 85, 5405.
• C. R. Crick, J. C. Bear, P. Southern and I. P. Parkin, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, 1, 4336
• C. R. Crick, J. C. Bear, Andreas Kafizas and I. P. Parkin, Adv. Mater., 2012, 24, 3505.