Projects
Adaptive functional materials: From smart nanoparticles to self-healing materials Ghent University
Adaptive materials will be developed based on supramolecular and polymer chemistry within this CRA-project. Nanoparticles that respond to changes in the environment will be studied for biomedical applications while self-healing materials will be investigated to increase the life span of polymeric materials. High-throughput experimentation will be applied to understand and optimise the studied adaptive materials.
Quantum dot nanoparticles for live cell imaging and intracellular targeting. Ghent University
This project is aimed at enabling fluorescent labeling of organelles in living cells by quantum dots. At the one hand, silica encapped quantum dots will be targeted to the cytosol by making use of a membrane-disruptive liposomal carrier. At the other hand, a new concept will be tested using thermoresponsive nanoparticles to enable endosomal escape to the cytosol.
Investigation of liquid crystalline compounds and their mixtures with mesogens, non-mesogens and nanoparticles by high-resolution adiabatic scanning calorimetry KU Leuven
Nucleophilic Nanoparticles for optimal delivery of plasmid DNA in dividing cells Ghent University
Plasmid DNA needs to reach the cell nucleus to be biologically active. We aim to explore new strategies to target naked DNA or DNA nanoparticles to the cell nuclei of daughter cells during the cell division of the mother cell, since during cell division the intracellular barrier of the nuclear membrane is temporarily broken down.
Synthesis of nanoparticles for coated conductors. Ghent University
The main research objective is the formulation of new types of multimetaloxide nanocrystals for incorporation as artificial pinning centers in nanocomposite thin films processed using chemical solution deposition. Superconducting coated conductors are chosen as the proof of concept. Innovative chemical deposition methods and the incorporation of preformed and inert multimetaloxide nanocrystals as pinning centres into the superconducting ...
Hybrid lanthanide polyoxotungstate core/shell nanoparticles for fluorescence-based bioimaging Ghent University
Fluorescence bioimaging is a powerful tool in early stage diagnosis of diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular problems. Lanthanide ions have unique properties, which make them suitable for designing fluorescence bioimaging probes. Up until now mostly lanthanides, which emit in a region visible to the human eye, have been explored for this purpose. Creating lanthanide based bioimaging probes, which emit in the near-infrared (NIR) region of ...
Exploring mechanical properties of pristine graphene and with nanoparticles using stochastic physics University of Antwerp
Novel synthesis routes for monodisperse Hf- and Ta-oxide nanoparticles and their use as pinning centra in coated conductors Ghent University
The synthesis of small sized oxide particles with narrow size distribution and high crystallinity is essential in the application; their use as artificial pinning centers in superconducting coatings. An enhanced pinning force is envisaged, leading to increased current carrying abilities, by the introduction of nanocrystals comparable to the coherence length (2-5 nm).