Professor Robert Lamb, Head, School of Chemistry. Director, Surface Science and Materials Technology Group The University of New South Wales.
Brief CV:
The Lamb group contains and operates the largest range of surface
analytical equipment ($ 7 million) in the
Southern Hemisphere. As it is not a defined service unit within
the University it runs a separate commercial service to support
the activities of the research programs.
This has also extended to the development of an soft X ray end station for the Synchrotron in Taiwan for which we have responsibility
Currently Prof Lamb holds 15 grants with a total values of $800,000.
Relevant to the MMSN:
Australian Materials Technology Network, Aus Industry ,
$3.8 million (over 4 years) , J. Williams, R.Lamb and M.Rodan
Various Industry grants for both external analytical service access
and consulting - 6 major sponsors.
Summary:
150 publications
11 patents
3 startup companies
$12 million in grants over the past decade
Brief summary of expertise and significant research achievements:
Expertise
-Critical researcher mass required to develop concept through,
creation of new materials, properties analysis and demonstrable
application using simple device/prototyping using (e.g. 11 patents)
Surface/Interface Chemistry/Physics/Engineering:
-Surface characterisation.
-Synthesis of functional molecules.
-Multiscale surface modification using range of physical and
chemical techniques.
-Manipulation and observation of nanocrystal structures in thin films.
Facilities:
Thin Film fabrication:
Spin coater (2),
SSCVD (4),
Dip coater (3), LB trough (1)
Interface characterisation:
XPS (5),
SIMS (2),
AES (2),
Digital Contact angle imaging (1),
Surface Tensiometer (2),
SPM (1),
Synchrotron
Synthesis: a complete range of synthetic techniques and associated laboratory.
Summary:
1. Manipulation of nanocrystals in powder laser applications
2. Fabrication of nanostructured superhydrophobic and lyophobic interfaces
3. Synthesis of "soft", variable density, piezoelectric materials
through nanotechnology
4. Nanoscale manipulation of mineral surfaces
5. Controlled growth of ordered semiconductor nanofilms through
simple single source deposition
6. Simple thin film optical fiber and waveguide device applications
of novel thin film technologies
7. Bio interactions on surface of superhydro/lyophobic materials
8. Photocatalytic and superhydrophobic processes in the nanoscale
in thin films
9. Organometallic synthetic routes to creation of new single source
precursor materials
10. Nanocoatings on textiles
11. Laser modification and potential patterning of oxide surfaces
Australian linkages:
CRC Photonics
ANSTOAeronautical and Materials Research Labs (AMRL)
CSIRO
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)
AMIRA
Australian Synchrotron Research Program (ASRP)
Australian Materials Technology Network (AMTN)
University of Western Australia
6 major Industry sponsors
International linkages:
University of Heidelberg
University of Cambridge
APEC Advanced Materials Group and Materials Testing Network
Students and postdocs likely to be involved in or use the Network:
6 x Postdocs
9 students (6 PhD, 2 Hons, 1 MSc)
2 Technicians
