Research

I have built my research experience both in plasmonic sensors and water treatment technologies in an urge to be able to deliver nanomaterial based real life solutions to the world. Applications of the researched technologies have been demonstarted in; but is not limited to; chemo/bio sensors, cancer diagnostic agents, and water treatment technologies for obtaining drinkable water from sea water.

Research interests in real-life end-uses include:

• Point-of-Care POC diagnostics for detection of biomarkers in biofluids (blood, plasma, urine, saliva etc).
• Detection from within deep tissue for in vivo cancer diagnostic modality like SESORS Raman-based technique.
• Water treatment technologies.

The nanomaterials I have been exploring include :

• Polymers (especially stimuli-responsive and structurally branched ones ,
• Plasmonic metal nanoparticles especially Au/Ag shaped nanostructures and their morphological nano-assemblies, and
• Hybrid nanoparticles including polymer functionalized iron oxide and silica nanoparticles.

Interestingly, I have been involved in their synthesis, characterization, surface-functionalization, and thus the ability to tune their physical and functional properties to employ them in various applications from switchable surfaces to water treatment forward osmosis FO draw agents and most importantly in diagnostics. Engineering I have spent the last couple of years focusing on nanoplasmonic diagnostic imaging agents and devices especially with Localized surface plasmon resonance LSPR, surface enhanced Raman scattering SERS and more recently with lens free imaging techniques.