The focus of our research group is the use of liquid crystals (LCs) and Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) for biological applications.
The main areas are:
a) LCs that are able to mimic biological materials and,
b) Biosensors for optical imaging and diagnostics.
LCEs have been long sought as artificial tissues based on a combination of orientational ordering, induced by liquid crystalline moieties, and elastic properties of polymers. The materials created in our lab will include materials with predictable, controllable/tuneable properties for the use of drug delivery systems and therapeutic purposes. Our materials include elastic properties specifically engineered as biodegradable tissue scaffolds
Another research area is the imaging of biological cells and their behaviour on modified substrates and scaffolds.
Recently, we have been working on developing materials as toxic gas and vapour sensors.
Links
E. Hegmann Group
Welcome to the website of Elda Hegmann's Research Group at Kent State University's:
Advanced Materials & Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI) and Department of Biological Sciences (BSCI)