Surface analysis and modification
The Pharmaceutical Technologies group has substantial experience in the chemical and physical characterisation, and modification, of many different types of surface. Our techniques offer major benefits to businesses working within a number of sectors including food manufacture and preparation, pharmaceutical and polymer industries.
Optimum surface design is crucial for creating a diverse range of quality products, from tablets that dissolve effectively to food preparation surfaces resistant to bacteria. One focus of our work is the application of zinc oxide-based nanostructures to enhance Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensitivity in biosensors.
By increasing the surface area of a biosensor, we can increase sensitivity and enable electrochemical and SPR measurements to be made at the same time. This provides both chemical and quantitative measurements, and can be used to examine antibodies in very small samples – ideal for paediatric and veterinary applications.