Research Interests
1. Nanomedicine: Design and Engineering of Multifunctional Nanomaterials for simultaneous targeting, bio-imaging and drug delivery.

The research objective of this work is to apply nanotechnology to medicine. We have developed a new class of florescent-magnetic nanoparticles as probes and aim to demonstrate their application in both fluorescent microscopy and MRI. Subsequent work will be undertaken to introduce multifunctional organic, organometallic or biological groups into nanostructured materials to render them with biocompatibility, targeting, drug loading and delivery functions. The cytotoxicity of such nanomaterial will also be evaluated.

2. Design of Nanoparticles for Drug Separation.

The project focuses on the development of nano-sized achiral and chiral packing materials for Super-critical fluid Chromatography (SFC), Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) and Capillary Electrochromatography (CEC). Judging from the viewpoint of novelty of science, there are to date no known research work published in open literature on the application of chiral-nanomaterials having size ranging < 1.5 ?m for SFC, CE and CEC analyses. The reduction in size of packing materials is anticipated to lead to a huge increase in chromatographic resolution.

3. Advanced Materials for Green Architecture: Nanocomposites for Permanent Self-cleaning and Antibacterial Surface.

This research focuses on synthesizing scratch resistant nanocomposite coating that are photocatalytic, superhydrophilic and antibacterial. This material can then be coated to surfaces inside and outside buildings and structures for permanent self-cleaning and antibacterial functions. Current work includes exploring various synthesis methods (including atomic deposition, sonication and sol-gel) that will give the most efficient materials.