Professor Simon Biggs
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Simon Biggs
BNFL/Royal Academy of Engineering Professor of Particle Science and Engineering |
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Colloid and Interface Engineering
Product formulation, interfacial adsorption of surfactants and polymers, nanoparticle manufacture, encapsulation, interfacial forces and rheology of dispersions.My research group has a variety of interests within the broad area of colloid and interfacial science. We are especially interested in the measurement and control of interfacial structures formed by polymers and surfactants. Using this information we are working to develop a more systematic approach to the formulation of particle dispersions. In related work, we are investigating the use of novel stimulus responsive polymers for the formation of new types of capsules that can be used as controlled release products.
Research Group on Colloid and Polymer Engineering
Research Interests
Surfactant and Polymer Adsorption
The adsorption of surfactants and polymers at the solid-liquid interface is critical to the formulation of many commercial products, as well as to their application (for example shampoos and conditioners!). Despite the obvious importance, much remains to be understood about the local interfacial structures formed by these systems and the impact this has on their properties. Using a combination of techniques (AFM, Optical reflectometry, QCM-D) we are investigating the kinetics of adsorption and the local 3-d structures formed by surfactant and/or polymer systems.
Copolymer capsules
We are investigating the formation of complex interfacial coatings produced by block copolymer micelles. The polymers used are sensitive to their environment and can be induced to breakdown in a controlled manner offering important opportunities for their use as triggered release encapsulation agents for use in personal care products, foodstuffs, or pharmaceutical formulations.
Interparticle forces and dispersion rheology
Direct measurements of interparticle forces using colloid probe microscopy is a central feature of the research group and is an area in which we have extensive experience. We are investigating the link between these single particle measurements and bulk system properties such as the rheology of a slurry. The ultimate aim is to better design dispersants for more effective processing of colloidal dispersions through a detailed understanding of how such dispersants work.
Slurry transport
In this work, we are interested in understanding how detailed interparticle force knowledge can be used to better understand processes such as filtration or pipeline transport. We are working here in collaboration with multiphase CFD modelling researchers to provide a predictive approach for slurry transport.
Research Group on Colloid and Polymer Engineering
Selected Publications
- Atkin, R., Craig, V.S.J. and Biggs, S.R., Adsorption kinetics and structural arrangements of cetylpyridinium bromide at the silica-aqueous interface. Langmuir, 2001. 17(20): p. 6155-6163.
- Cain, R.G., et al., Quantitative comparison of three calibration techniques for the lateral force microscope. Review Of Scientific Instruments, 2001. 72(8): p. 3304-3312.
- Webber, G.B., et al., Nano-anemones: Stimulus-responsive copolymer-micelle surfaces. Advanced Materials, 2004. 16(20): p. 1794-+.
- Webber, G.B., et al., Self-organized monolayer films of stimulus-responsive micelles. Nano Letters, 2002. 2(11): p. 1307-1313.
Schematic of micelle multi-layer coatings on a particle and a surface.
