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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N29525/01
Title: TAILORED PLASMAS FOR APPLICATIONS IN LIFE SCIENCE
Principal Investigator: Short, Professor R
Other Investigators:
Scutt, Dr A Brook, Professor I
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 25 September 2000 Ends: 24 September 2003 Value (£): 118,583
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials Plasmas - Technological
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Healthcare Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
GR/N29532/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposed work is a continuation of a current study (GR/L53137 ending in Oct 2000) into understanding plasma-boundary interactions in plasma used to process polymers. It will however incorporate new elements of adventure, since a pulsed RF discharge (frequency 0 - 5 kHz) will be developed to provide a 'clean', cold, uniform plasma with 'tailored' properties at the polymer-plasma boundary. In particular, by varying the pulse frequency and duty cycle, the bulk electron temperature and form (shape) of the IEDF will be modified. A technique of polymer substrate biasing (up to 5th harmonic RF feedback) will be used, to control the sheath RF potentials and hence the mean ion energies to the substrate so achieving selectivity in the ion-surface processes.Using this discharge, polymer surfaces (PS and PET) will be selectively modified, and employed as substrates for cell culture. Surface chemical patterning by plasma will facilitate a pilot of the effects of geometric confinement on cell viability and differentiation.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk