Seminar: Functional Hybrid silicas and applications with Dr. Michel Wong Chi Man

Date: Friday, May 10, 2019

Time: 1:30 PM

Location: ETB 535

Please note, registration is NOT required for this event. 

Bridged silsesquioxanes (BS) is a family of hybrid silicas which are obtained by the hydrolysis-condensation of silylated precursors with bridging organics, (EtO)3Si-R-Si(OEt)3 (R = organic fragments). Thanks to the mild sol-gel reaction conditions, the relatively strong covalent Si-C bonds are maintained during the reaction, resulting in the formation of unique hybrids, which consist of a uniform distribution with stoichiometric Si/C ratio of covalently bonded organics interconnecting at least two silicon atoms. 

These hybrid organic-inorganic materials combine the inherent properties of the organic fragments with those of the silica network (mechanical and chemical stabilities as well as high surface area and porosity). Accordingly to the variety of organic units that can be introduced in BS, one can tune the properties of the final materials for targeted applications (e.g. catalysis, optics, magnetic and imaging, etc.). Moreover, these hybrids can be structured in mesoporous materials when synthesized with a surfactant. The resulting hybrid is called Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas (PMO). 

In this presentation, the design of selected BS precursors will be shown. The role of the organics for catalysis applications, the self-directed structuring as well as template-mediated structuring of these hybrids, called PMO6, will also be addressed. The synthesis of functional hybrid mesoporous and of nano-PMOs will be presented and their use as drug carriers will also be presented.

Michel WONG CHI MAN is a senior researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre National de la Researche Scientifique; CNRS). He is an expert in organosilicon and hybrid silica chemistry and has published over 160 articles in peer-reviewed journals in these fields. His main research interests focus on the functionalization of hybrid silica (mainly bridged silsesquioxanes), which he develops in several different areas: Nano-structuring of hybrid silicas; catalysis; photoluminescent materials; stimuli-responsive hybrid silica nanoparticles for drug delivery.

For more information, contact: Biointerfaces Institute 905-525-9140 x 20706

Workshop: Developing Clinical Point-of-Care (POC) Diagnostics

The Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (FPC-BEAM) is hosting a workshop on the challenges of developing clinical diagnostics in specific fields and opportunities for POC diagnostics. The two-day workshop will bring together various stakeholders for presentations, panels and open forums to discuss the ideal POC diagnostic, POC development and the support systems needed to bring these diagnostic healthcare solutions to market.

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We're Hiring -- Project Manager

The Project Manager will provide daily leadership, direction, and operational management for the ORF grant. This individual will also function in the capacity of alliance and business development manager, liaising with all parties involved in the project (i.e. industry partners, researchers, and the university partners) to ensure the team is well-functioning and will work with MILO to protect and license IP, and guide business development efforts. 

The Project Manager will organize and prepare materials for meetings of the Board of Directors and all other committees, and will be responsible for and ensure the execution of the actions approved by these committees. 

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