Section of Functional Materials and Nanotechnology
«Teaching does much, but encouragement does everything.»
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe -
The focus of the section of Functional Materials and Nanotechnology is the modification and analysis of surfaces and the development of applications in the following areas of chemistry and biology.
Areas of expertise
- Functional- and biomaterials
- Nanotechnology
- Surface analysis
- Filtration technology in industrial chemistry
Research and Cooperations
Opportunities for cooperation are given within the framework of research and development projects, service contracts, or Bachelor and Master theses in the areas of:
Functional- and biomaterials, nanotechnology
- development of new modified surfaces using nanotechnology (e.g. Langmuir Blodgett technology, layer-by-layer coating)
- development of nanofibers based membranes for filtration applications
- application development in the field of nanotubes and meso porous silica
- MIPs (Molecularly Imprinted Polymers) for customized absorption
- encapsulation and controlled release of pharmaceutical actives using nano fibers
- stabilization of molecules by encapsulation in nano porous materials
- materials for light management (e.g. light collectors for solar cells)
- development of new column materials for chromatography
- synthesis of Janus particles and investigation of their properties
Surface analysis
- analysis and assessment of surfaces using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- analysis of surfaces using confocal Raman microscopy
- measurement of surface charge (zeta potential) of powder, fibers, membranes, woven and non-woven fabrics using streaming potential measurements
- in vivo/in vitro skin penetration studies of actives
Filtration methods
- consulting on the selection of appropriate filtration systems and filter aid
- systematic analysis and selection of filter aids
- depth filter sheets development - use of new fibers and / or inorganic materials
- tailor-made filtration products for the specific removal of contaminations
- services for optimizing industrial filtration processes
Special equipment
- field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDX
- atomic force microscope (AFM)
- zeta potential meter
- BET surface measurement
- Pore size analysis
- X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
- confocal Raman microscopy (532, 671, 785, 1064 nm)
- confocal Fluorescence microscopy
- River Diagnostics Model 3510 Raman Skin Composition Analyzer
- laboratory filtration plant
- Jetlab system for rapid prototyping
- electrospinning equipment for technical scale applications
- Langmuir Blodgett technology for molecular monolayers
- dynamic contact angle measurement
Downloads
Filtrieren nach dem Austern-Prinzip(PDF 3,9 MB) (Transfer 2-2021)
Austern-ähnliche Nanofaserfilter gegen Mikroplastik entwickelt
Bessere Luftfilter und Textilien, die sich selbst desinfizieren(PDF 508,6 KB) (Auszug Impact 49/2/2020)
Auf der Suche nach dem perfekten Atemfilter(PDF 356,2 KB) (Transfer 1/2020, German)
Wie eine digitale Plattform aus Abfällen Ressourcen macht(PDF 207,8 KB) (Auszug Impact 3817)
Mit vereinten Kräften zum in vitro Blutgefäss(PDF 611,9 KB) (Transfer 2/2016)
Tailored Nanochannels(PDF 217,6 KB) (Transfer 3/2015, German)
Dünne Fasern - Grosse Wirkung: Mit Elektrospinning zu neuen Produkten(PDF 2,0 MB) (German, TextilPlus 5+6/2014)
Innovatives Terrain für Nanofasern(PDF 8,8 MB) (Reportage in ChemiePlus 9/11, German)
Dem Menschen in die Haut geschaut(PDF 104,9 KB) (Transfer 2/2011, German)
Vliese aus Nanofasern als vielseitige Funktionsmaterialien(PDF 78,7 KB) (Transfer 2/2010, German)
Zetapotenzialmessungen zur Charakterisierung von Oberflächen(PDF 131,5 KB) (Transfer 3/2009, German)
Publications
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Zucchetto, Nicola; Brühwiler, Dominik,
2018.
Chemistry of Materials.
30(20), pp. 7280-7286.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b03603
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Adlhart, Christian; Verran, Joanna; Azevedo, Nuno F.; Olmez, Hulya; Keinänen-Toivola, Minna M.; Gouveia, Isabel; Melo, Luis F.; Crijns, Francy,
2018.
Surface modifications for antimicrobial effects in the healthcare setting : a critical overview.
Journal of Hospital Infection.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018.01.018
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Reber, Michael; Zucchetto, Nicola; Brühwiler, Dominik,
2018.
Synthesis of advanced mesoporous materials by partial pseudomorphic transformation.
Chimia.
72(3), pp. 158-159.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2017.158
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David, Robert O.; Fahrni, Jonas; Marcolli, Claudia; Mahrt, Fabian; Brühwiler, Dominik; Lohmann, Ulrike; Kanji, Zamin A.,
2018.
The role of pores on ice nucleation.
In:
Abstract Volume : 16th Swiss Geoscience Meeting.
16th Swiss Geoscience Meeting, Bern, 30 November - 1 December 2018.
Swiss Academy of Science.
Available from: https://geoscience-meeting.ch/sgm2018/wp-content/uploads/SGM_2018_Symposium_17.pdf
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Zucchetto, Nicola; Reber, Michael; Pestalozzi, Lias; Schmid, Ramon; Neels, Antonia; Brühwiler, Dominik,
2018.
The structure of mesoporous silica obtained by pseudomorphic transformation of SBA-15 and SBA-16.
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials.
257, pp. 232-240.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2017.08.046
Team
Head and Lectures
Associate Research Scientists
Assistant Research Scientists
Internship Students
- Mina Nazhandali (Ankara University)
- Christina Fialová (Technical University of Liberec)
Master of Science Students
Bachelor Students
- Krishnavanan Thayaparan
- Michèle Frey