In our research, novel visualization and detection techniques are used to study a wide range of phenomena related to particle, microbe, and biomolecule interactions with surfaces. The equipment in our laboratory includes instrumentation for biocolloid and surface characterization and standard equipment for growth and maintenance of biological systems (microbial and mammalian cell culture). Our facilities include:

  • Langmuir-Blodgett Trough with Brewster Angle Microscopy

  • Optical NanoTweezer

  • Tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS)

  • Enhanced darkfield hyperspectral imaging

  • Ellipsometry

  • Electrokinetic analyzer

  • Cell culture and maintenance (biosafety level 2)

  • qPCR

  • Contact angle goniometer

  • Impinging jet apparatus

  • Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)

  • Fluorescence spectrophotometry

  • Fluoresence microscopy and image analysis

  • UV/Vis spectrophotometry

  • Laser doppler velocimetry and particle sizing

  • Optical Photothermal IR Spectroscopy

  • Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis

Our research is made possible by the generous support of the following funding agencies:

  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

  • Le fonds Québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies (FQRNT)

  • Canada Research Chair Program (CRC)

  • Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

  • Health Canada

  • Kemira