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Master thesis: Characterization of aerosol released from abrasion of 2D material reinforced composites and in vitro safety assessment of abraded particles on human lung and gastrointestinal cell cultures
The aim of this master thesis project is to characterize the aerosol released from abrasion of 2D material-reinforced composites and to perform in vitro toxicity assessment of abraded particles in human lung and gastrointestinal cell cultures.
Keywords: 2D materials, polymer composites, abrasion process, in vitro toxicity assessment,lung and gastrointestinal cell cultures
Introduction
2D materials are under intense research due to their high technological potential for a broad variety of applications i.e. electronics, energy storage, but also in the field of nanomedicine. A major applica-tion of 2D materials (e.g. boron nitrite, graphene related materials) is as reinforcement material for composites to improve polymer properties such as thermal and mechanical stability. Due to its emerging nature the potential health risks of released particles during their production, use or dis-posal, are largely unknown. Moreover, mechanical treatment or abrasion of nanocomposites may re-lease particles containing 2D materials with unknown potential adverse effects on human health.
Introduction 2D materials are under intense research due to their high technological potential for a broad variety of applications i.e. electronics, energy storage, but also in the field of nanomedicine. A major applica-tion of 2D materials (e.g. boron nitrite, graphene related materials) is as reinforcement material for composites to improve polymer properties such as thermal and mechanical stability. Due to its emerging nature the potential health risks of released particles during their production, use or dis-posal, are largely unknown. Moreover, mechanical treatment or abrasion of nanocomposites may re-lease particles containing 2D materials with unknown potential adverse effects on human health.
Aim:
The aim of this master thesis project is to characterize the aerosol released from abrasion of 2D material-reinforced composites and to perform in vitro toxicity assessment of abraded particles.
• optimize the abrasion process and collect a sufficient amount of abraded particles
• characterize abraded particles released from the composites during an abrasion process
• investigate the biological effects of pristine materials and released aerosol particles on human cells.
What we offer:
You can expect significant support and guidance from established scientists. During your stay you can obtain a broad set of lab skills in the material and nanosafety field, including composite abrasion and particle characterization, analytical techniques, advanced imaging, cell culture and molecular biology techniques.Costs for public transportation and housing can be arranged.
Aim: The aim of this master thesis project is to characterize the aerosol released from abrasion of 2D material-reinforced composites and to perform in vitro toxicity assessment of abraded particles. • optimize the abrasion process and collect a sufficient amount of abraded particles • characterize abraded particles released from the composites during an abrasion process • investigate the biological effects of pristine materials and released aerosol particles on human cells.
What we offer: You can expect significant support and guidance from established scientists. During your stay you can obtain a broad set of lab skills in the material and nanosafety field, including composite abrasion and particle characterization, analytical techniques, advanced imaging, cell culture and molecular biology techniques.Costs for public transportation and housing can be arranged.
Interested and suitable candidates may send a CV and short motivational statement including re-search interests as PDF to:
Dr. Savvina Chortarea,
savvina.chortarea@empa.ch
Tel: +41 58 765 7399
https://www.empa.ch/web/s403/particlesbarrier
Interested and suitable candidates may send a CV and short motivational statement including re-search interests as PDF to: Dr. Savvina Chortarea, savvina.chortarea@empa.ch Tel: +41 58 765 7399 https://www.empa.ch/web/s403/particlesbarrier