Associate Professor Erica Wanless

Program Leader
P: +61 2 4921 8846
E: Erica.Wanless@newcastle.edu.au

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A/Prof. Wanless is a surface and colloid scientist of significant national and growing international reputation. Her current H-index is 15. Two of her career-best publications are rated in the top 1% of chemistry papers (Essential Science Indicators, Thomson Corporation, 2007). She has an excellent record of collaborative research coupled with successful research higher degree supervision. In 2003 she was a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Sussex.

All of A/Prof. Wanless’ research can be classified in the field of advanced soft materials. She has been actively involved in fundamental and applied research concerning the adsorption of amphiphilic molecules (surfactants and block copolymers) for the past 12 years. During this time she has been a consistently active researcher demonstrating sustained growth in research output. Her principal interests concern understanding of the role of surface active molecules at the solid-liquid interface on the nanoscale. She has made significant contributions to understanding both adsorbed layer equilibrium structure as well as adsorption mechanisms derived from kinetic measurements. These conclusions have been reached via detailed in situ experimental measurements where other researchers have focused on dried films which do not therefore mimic many application environments. This direct approach utilizing a variety of complementary techniques is recognized as a powerful tactic to further understanding of these ubiquitously used materials. A recent focus concerns the formation of functional polymeric coatings that are responsive to changes in ambient conditions such as pH and temperature. These coatings have potential application as sequestration or release vehicles for small active species such as dyes, drugs or flavours. Additionally, A/Prof. Wanless has applied her fundamental knowledge to a variety of industrial research problems including projects concerned with mining emulsion explosives, water-based paints, powder coatings, steel surface coatings, mineral flotation and floor polish.

Qualifications

• BSc(Hons) (ANU), PhD (ANU)
• Member, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
• Member, International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists

Research Interests

• Surfactant and polymer adsorption at the solid-liquid interface: kinetics and equilibrium; Polymeric colloids: diblock
• copolymer micelles amd microgels; Coatings and thin films.