Douglas E. Hirt, Ph.D

Research Interests: Polymer Films

Professor Hirt's primary research interests are in the area of surface modification of polymer films. One way to modify a film surface is to blend an additive into a film and allow time for the additive to segregate to the surface. Research focuses on quantifying the amount of additive exuded to the surface over time and relating surface concentration to surface properties. Work is also conducted to measure the time-dependent spatial distribution of additives across the thickness of polymer films using FTIR microspectroscopy; many of the experiments are conducted at the Synchrotron Radiation Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for increased spatial resolution.

Professor Hirt's group also conducts work on chemically grafting various species to polymer films to carefully control the chemical functionality on the surface and to enhance the permanence and effectiveness of the surface modification. Current research involves the grafting of amino acids as well as the photografting of multifunctional polymer layers for applications such as biocompatible implants, microfluidics, and bioMEMs.

Last Updated:April 18, 2009 -- Site Maintained by: Donna Kilbourne
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Clemson University, 127 Earle Hall, Clemson, SC 29634-0909
Phone: (864) 656-3055 -- FAX: (864) 656-0784

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