Prof. Dr. Enock Dare 

One of the most significant approaches to protecting surfaces from structural deterioration is the application of protective coating. Unfortunately, the commonly used traditional surface coating in the presence of exclusive chemically based system has been challenged, and therefore the need for sustainable procedures leading to functional coatings possessing “smart” attributes and multifunctional properties become a necessity. The proposed research aims at taking advantages of three sustainable options (“click” chemistry, plasma-induced surface modulation and biocompatible POSS) in a combined synergy to develop switchable, reversible and adaptable coatings on substrates suitable for oil/water separation, personal equipment based liquid and antimicrobial repellence, photo-responsive corrosion sensing and repair, and photo-responsive pattern based information security. The sustainable options shall be deployed to realize functionalized POSS nanomaterials that shall be plasma/photo-coated on substrate, which shall be analysed (for properties) and evaluated (for applications) using the state-of-the-art facilities at Fraunhofer IFAM, Bremen. My expectations shall be mutually supported, while I deploy my experiences in “click” chemistry vis-à-vis POSS, I shall also gainfully acquire new skills from Fraunhofer IFAM excellent facilities, which are not available in my country, towards successfully sustainable functional coating research and development outcomes.