MAIN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
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The main research activities taking place in our five laboratories include: scientific research programs in nanoscience and biotechnology, as well as in life sciences or environmental protection teaching/learning/educational activities for students enrolled in undergraduate, master, doctoral and post-doctoral programs, as well as specialization courses for the teaching and research staff; technical assistance is offered for SPM image acquisitions, and SPM analyses performed on different samples prepared by using high technology devices.
Research in the Nanostructure Formation Characterisation and Properties qualitative and quantitative analyses of different samples in three different modes of SPM operation: in tapping mode, contact mode and non-contact mode; acquisition data and image processing analysis of morphological characteristics the 2D- and 3D -topography of the various surfaces; acquisition of phase image and friction force image measurements of voltage intensity curves evaluation of the 2D order by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis of nanoparticles size and histograms This type of research and data are also intended as research services for universities and research institutes in the fields of geology, mineralogy, geography, biology, physics and chemistry, as well as industrial units working in the fields of oil industry, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and chemical industry. The cost of a surface analysis can range between 200 and 300, according to the sample complexity and price of the cantilevers. Research in Life Sciences: the precise knowledge of the nanostructures of various auto-assemblies of different type of biomolecules, as well as biomolecular supramolecular associations, at subcellular and cellular level, in animal and vegetal tissue, under normal, pathological, experimental and modified environmetal conditions; morphostructural analysis, and qualitative and quantitative micro- and nano-analysis for the quality control of some industrial, food, pesticides, medical products or materials (including ceramic materials, catalysts on ceramic base, artificial membranes etc.); analysis and testing of different substances and ingredients in medicines and food analysis of biological materials for environment pollution control the elucidation of the mechanisms of action of certain drugs on the lipid or lipid-protein model membranes, such as adsorbed Gibbs and spread Langmuir films; the advanced processing of the biomaterials will supply a high quality technical and scientifical assistance, including the interpretation of the obtained results. Potential users are universities research institutes and industrial units in the fields of biology, chemistry, human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, biotechnologies, environment protection, as well as production units from the food to pharmaceutical industry. The cost of an analysis of this type ranges between 200 and 400, depending on the sample and the cantilevers. Education and training: (a) theoretical courses and practical training for students enrolled in Master Degree programs; (b) specialization opportunities for students included in doctoral and post-doctoral programs; (c) specialization courses and practical training seminars in AFM and STM organized upon request. Those who choose our Research Center PCAS as a training centre come mainly from academic areas (earth and life sciences departments in universities or research institutes) as well as from industrial units.
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