New paper
Behrooz’s (and co-authors’) study on the contact line dynamics of PDMS brushes is now published in Small. Quite an interesting look into how liquid like polymer chains affect droplet mobility. Check out Molecularly Capped Omniphobic Polydimethylsiloxane Brushes with Ultra-Fast Contact Line Dynamics
CIC article
Our work on coatings that prevent microfibre release from textiles has been featured in an article from the Chemical Institute of Canada. Check out Slippery coating could help reduce microplastic shedding from clothes And here’s the original scientific article
Behrooz’s comment now available
Last year, an interesting article came out discussing how droplets on PDMS brushes move faster when the gas phase is solvent vapour rather than air. This was attributed to swelling of the brushes by the solvent. Behrooz has a different, simpler explanation: simple surface energies. We made a Comment on their work, which has now… Read more »
Dr. Furtak joins the DREAM Lab
The DREAM Lab is pleased to welcome Dr. Nicole Furtak. Nicole received her PhD from the University of Alberta, and will be innovating the next generation of rain jackets with partner Lululemon athletica. Welcome Nicole!
Microfibre paper featured in Nature Reviews Chemistry
Sudip and Sonia’s microfibre paper was recently highlighted in Nature Reviews Chemistry. Check it out here!
Nature highlight!
Our recent work preventing the release of microfibres from synthetic textiles has been highlighted in Nature. Great work Sudip and Sonia! Nature Highlight.
Microfibre research featured in the news
The DREAM Lab’s work on preventing microplastics from fabric laundering is getting media attention! Check out an interview with the DREAM Lab by the Fast Company Link here Here’s an article posted by Just Style: Link. The release from the University of Toronto can also be found here.
Microfibre paper published!
Microplastic fibres shed from textiles are one of the main sources of plastic pollution in our water. Dr. Lahiri had the brilliant idea of preventing the problem entirely, using our polydimethylsiloxane brush coatings. Microfibres are released due to fibre/fibre friction, and he and Sonia have developed a robust, low-friction fabric finish that reduces the amount… Read more »
New funding from the Climate Positive Energy Commercialization Grant
The DREAM Lab is pleased to announce its smart de-icing coatings have been funded by the a Climate Positive Energy Commercialization Grant, towards the commercialization of the technology on all Canadian wind turbines. Over the next 24 months we’ll be designing and building an actual wind turbine and evaluating it in the harsh Canadian winters…. Read more »
Kamran defends his thesis
Congratulations Kamran for successfully defending your thesis on BEAMS. It’s been an excellent and productive four years, and I’m excited to see what your future holds for you 🙂 Very well done Dr. Alasvand!
