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Zoom meeting with the members of the Johnson Materials Research Group
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Patrick Johnson

Department of Chemical Engineering

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-6524

Email: pjohns27@uwyo.edu

Dr. Johnson Research Group

Patrick Johnson's Research group at the University of Wyoming conducts research in several areas of concentration: Graphene Materials, Laser Echted Circuits, SERS Biosensors, Polymers and Composites, Hard Carbon Batteries, and PEEK 3D printing.

TEM image of a graphene sheet

Graphene Material Research

Graphene, graphene oxide, and other graphene-like materials have been the subject of intense research recently. Graphene became famous overnight when the Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to Novoselov and Geim in 2008. Graphene, the new wonder material, has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity, highest tensile strength, largest Young’s modulus, and a plethora of other remarkable properties that make it deserving of so much attention. Our research group focuses on the synthesis of the material in the bulk phase (powdered form) from various carbon sources as well as finding applications for this form of the material.

 


 

Chemical Vapor Deposition

Utilizing chemical vapor deposition, diamond films have been produced under different reaction conditions. The diamond films are to be used for doping and icing properties. Chemical vapor deposition has also been used to synthesize carbon nanotubes. Catalyst type and composition is used to determine quality of the nanotubes and ratio of nanotubes to other types of carbons produced.

optical image of diamond nanoparticles grown on a silicon substrate

 


 

A variety of flexible or rigid, porous or smooth polymers synthesized using various techniques and synthesized polymer foams ranging in strength and quality of thermal insulation

Polymers

Polymers possess an assortment of commercial and industrial applications ranging from the foam found in cushioned furniture to the coatings that protect sensitive electronics on military aircraft. The main focus of the Johnson Materials Research Group is modifying polymer systems to achieve enhanced material properties for specialty applications. Recently, polyurethane adhesives, coatings, and foams have been synthesized by the Johnson Materials Research Group from the natural precursor, coal.

 


 

Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces. Compared to the conventional technologies, SERS-based bioassays demonstrate high sensitivity, robustness, efficiency and point-of-care testing capability compared to conventional technologies such as ELISA and PCR. In the SERS-based immunoassay, biosensors labeled with different Raman dyes are developed for the detection of multiple antigens.

schematic of SERS biosensors (upper) image of nanoparticles (lower)

 


 

Contact Us

Patrick Johnson

Department of Chemical Engineering

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-6524

Email: pjohns27@uwyo.edu

1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071
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