Research Home | Mampallil

Soft Matter

We study the interaction of complex fluids with various surfaces of modified wettability, roughness and porosity. We study dynamics of drops while spreading, impact, and evaporation. We study systems involving such dynamics, inspired from nature, to explore the underlying physical concepts.

Our investigations also involve colloidal self-assembly. In general, we study physics behind patterns formed by active and non-active matter both while drying and wetting.

Biology with Microfluidics

How pathogens survive in aerosols:

We use microfluidic technology to address biological research problems. We can generate microdroplets in microchannels, which act as reservoirs for micro-organisms and cells. It allows addressing individual cells and studying their metabolic activities. Tiny droplets can mimic bioaerosols that carry pathogens. together with Microbiology scientists, we investigate how pathogens can survive stressful conditions in the aerosols.

Plant on a chip:

We also use microfluidic technology to explore roots by growing plant (arabidopsis thaliana) in microfluidic chips. This work is in collaboration with Plant Biology Group. We can investigate the response of the root to chemical and pathogenic environment. For example how root responds to bacteria or fungal infections.

Biosensors:

We have recently initiated research on immunosensors based on electrochemistry. Our lab is equipped with electrochemical sensing facility. We explore highly sensitive immunosensing involving materials based on graphene oxide to immobilise proteins.