prof paul f. luckham

Research Interests

My principal area of research is to try to control the bulk properties of suspensions by controlling the interactions between the particles in a suspension. To achieve this we need to measure particle interactions and this is achieved using a modified form of atomic force microscopy, where a small, 10 micron, particle is attached to a small cantilever, about 100 micron in length. The interactions between the particle and another particle or surfcae is then determined. the bulk properties of the system include rheology and more recently structural determination using various scattering techniques.

Another interest which is utilises the same experimental techniques but has different applications is the area of cell and protein adhesion to surfaces and other cells. Again an atomic force microscope is used only now proteins or cells are attached to the small cantilever.

Selected Research Projects

1. "Direct Measurements of Particle Interactions" in collaboration with R. Ashayer-Soltani, Y. Wang, M. Musoke, I.Ming Chung, C. Holinshead, A. Khan and R. Harvey
2. "High Pressure Rheology of Gels" in collaboration with K. Stearitz, B.J. Briscoe, A. Ismail and A. Khan
3. "Improving the Processability of Ceramics" in collaboration with J. Chou and A.U. Khan