The single chain variable fragment (scFv) is an emerging class of immunoglobulin G (IgG) fragment for potential biopharmaceutical application. The scFv is more suitable than the IgG for production in bacterial hosts due to its small size and requirement for less post-translational modification. Shorter doubling times, relatively simple genetic tractability, cheaper media and the ability to form disulphide bonds in the periplasm make Escherichia coli a suitable host for recombinant production of scFvs. This study optimised production of the model scFv, 13R4, to the E. coli periplasm via the co-translational SRP pathway and post-translational SecB pathway using a Design of Experiments approach with the temperature, concentration of inducer and OD₆₀₀ for induction as factors. The latter system was intensified and an optimal concentration of inducer per OD₆₀₀ was determined. The optimal growth conditions, and variations on these conditions, were scaled-up in four fed-batch fermentations where an OD₆₀₀ of 119 and yield of 3.517 μg of active periplasmic 13R4 per millilitre of culture were achieved. Finally, difficulties in measuring the cellular adhesion and Young's modulus during recombinant protein production using atomic force microscopy led to identification and quantification of differences in surface charge and hydrophobicity of transformed and untransformed bacteria.

This research aims to investigate whether nanoforce on a substrate surface is an important factor in the attachment of anchorage dependent cells. Based on the correlation between nanoforces and cell attachment, a convenient methodology to design and assess the surface of biomaterials were also tested. This research not only expands the understanding of cell attachment but also has the potential to preview how well cells can attach to a surface conveniently. In the research, firstly, a series of atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation experiments were carried out on MC3T3 cells under different conditions. Hertz and Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact models were applied to fit the force-displacement data. Then the correlation between nanoforces and cell attachment were investigated through experiments on several substrates with four different cell types: MC3T3, chicken tendon fibroblasts (CTF), mouse endothelial cells (MEC) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). AFM was used to acquire surface properties, and the MTT assay was utilised to assess the viable cell numbers. In the end, two new graphene composite materials, a graphene platelet composite of alumina ceramic (Al2O3/GPL) and a porous three-dimensional graphene foam (3DGF), were investigated through experiments for their mechanical properties as well as performance in biological applications.

Within the framework of this techno-economic assessment, the possible contribution of the platform technology Thermo-Catalytic Reforming (TCR®) to reduce CO2 emissions, save resources, and solve waste problems was evaluated. The selection of the feedstocks included samples of sewage sludge, woody biomass, algae, organic fraction of municipal solid waste, leather residues, peat, lignite, and selected mixtures thereof. These feedstocks were processed in a lab-scale TCR plant with a capacity of 2 kg/h and converted into oil, gas, and carbonisates. It is targeted to utilize these products as substitutes for fossil resources for energetic and material usage. For each feedstock, optimum process parameters, correlations regarding feedstock and product composition and yields, and measures to optimize the technology, were identified. The experimental results were used as a basis for the economic evaluation. To identify promising value chains, the levelized costs/levelized revenues approach was adopted for multi-product processes. State of the art technologies and the products thereof were the benchmark. By linking the results of the technical and economic evaluation, the optimum utilization pathways for the processed feedstocks, related products, and potentials to increase the competitiveness of the technology were identified.

In order to enhance the sensing capabilities of DNA, an array of tags and modified nucleic acids have been synthesised. This thesis studies both the sensing capabilities and the stability of electrochemical DNA reporters based on the redox active molecule ferrocene. The topics covered are as follows: 1. Two synthetic ferrocene nucleic acid (FcNA) DNA mimics and a redox-active tag based on two covalently connected ferrocene molecules were incorporated into the backbone of a DNA strand in a central position and the 5’ end of a DNA strand, respectively. These probes were then used to form mixed monolayers and their stability was assessed. DNA target detection was possible with square wave voltammetry due to the unusual reliance of this technique on the ‘critical frequency’ of the redox active molecule. 2. DNA probes containing thymine-modified FcNA reporter groups were investigated further due the ability of mercuric ions (Hg2+) to bind covalently to two opposite thymine groups. Detection of these ions was possible through both cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. 3. The FcNA-conjugated DNA probes are assessed for their potential as therapeutic antisense agents by exposing the single stranded and duplexed probes to a DNase and two types of exonuclease enzyme.

This thesis deals with the development of a microfibrillated cellulose based product from Imerys, made from wood pulp using a stirred media mill. Applications for microfibrillated cellulose are explored. Parameters for the generation of microfibrillated cellulose in the stirred media mill are tested for the formulation of a product with the greatest increase to the strength of paper. Models used in milling are applied to the milling of cellulose and calcium carbonate. Based on the models, ways of finding the most energy efficient process for future new materials and mills are explored. Improvements to models are suggested for both the general case of particle size reduction and the specific case of cellulose milling. A study of the energy transfer mechanisms in the mill and how they relate to the kinetic energy of the media is performed using Positron Emission Particle Tracking. The relationships between the distributions of media kinetic energy thus found and the products of milling are analysed. Modifications to the mill are made based upon these findings and tested. An environmental life-cycle assessment is performed of the product, which tests the overall environmental impacts of including microfibrillated cellulose as a strength aid in paper.

Plenoptic imaging is an exciting research field since, by introducing a microlens array into the optical train of a traditional camera, directional information about incoming light rays is stored on the sensor. Whereas traditional cameras discard this information, plenoptic imaging takes advantage of this increase in angular resolution to provide a method of snapshot 3D capture. With a plenoptic dataset, the ability to extend depth of field and refocus digitally, post-acquisition, is of key benefit to bioluminescence tomography. Due to low light imaging conditions, large apertures are required to capture enough signal from a bioluminescence imaging subject; this causes a shallow depth of field, and when mirrors are introduced into the system to increase subject coverage, managing the system focal planes can be hard. In order to investigate the best uses of plenoptic imaging for biomedical research, a simulation platform was created to allow efficient, flexible, cost effective exploration of system design and algorithm development. This simulation platform was utilised in designing a plenoptic multi-view system, which is applicable to bioluminescence tomography. A correction to the bioluminescence free space model is made which facilitates quantitative imaging. Finally, a plenoptic tomography system is created which allows snapshot, multi-view 3D capture.

For the past two decades, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been the subject of intense research in the realm of display and lighting applications. Recently, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) has shown great potential in further advancing OLED technology. In order to achieve TADF, synthesis of acceptor and donor compounds has been undertaken to achieve exciplex formation. Little is currently known about exciplex formation and emission, so systematic structural variations have been performed on MCP and DPBI in order to gain fundamental knowledge. Compound analyses were performed in both the solid and solution state. In the case of MCP derivatives, demonstration of their ability to act as an acceptor is possible, alongside an appropriate choice of donor molecule. Reducing the extent ofconjugation in derivatives of DPBI, did not result in an increase in triplet energy. Consequently, to eliminate possible conformers, steric blocking was introduced in an attempt to increase the triplet energy. In the case of the ME-DPBI derivative it was shown possible to formulate a device showing 2.5% external quantum efficiency while emitting at ~450 nm which is a true blue colour.

Increasing plastic consumption has created an alerting problem with waste disposal of the mixed waste plastics once the recyclable fractions have been recovered. The percentage sent to landfill of the generated mixed plastic waste amounts to one third of the total. Liquid fuel recovery from mixed plastic waste is possible using pyrolysis as a tertiary recycling process. The focus of this study was to obtain useful liquid product recovered from the pyrolysis of a variety of commercial mixed plastic waste utilising a pilot scale fluidised bed reactor of 1kg/hr processing capacity. The influence of residence time (1.78 to 2.74s), feedstock variation and reaction temperature (500 – 550oC) were investigated to optimise the quality of the wax products. Characterisation of the mixed plastic feedstocks through TGA, DSC and FTIR analysis was carried out to lay the foundation of the pyrolysis conditions. Understanding the fuel quality and product distribution was essential in assessing the key properties such as melting point and viscosity in the optimisation process. Key findings of the research concluded that increasing residence time has the strongest effect on reducing the melting point (up to 14oC) of the liquid product across all studied feedstocks although the magnitude of the effect greatly depends upon the initial feedstock composition. Changes is the average melting point correspond to a shift in the average carbon number distribution of the product. Feedstock and process parameters variability were also found to greatly affect the final product quality resulting in a versatile product composition as well as the product yields that varied between 27 and 60% w.t.

Proton Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) is a soft chemical ionisation mass spectrometry technique frequently applied to measurement of volatile organic compound (VOC) abundance. The overarching aim of this thesis is to improve the quantification of compounds that have proved difficult or even impossible to separate or to quantify, through advanced understanding of the detection and ionisation mechanisms and developments in the instrumental design and operation of PTR-MS for deconvolution of mixtures. A new method for the preparation and use of diffusion tube methods as gas standards is reported. Detailed investigation of the ion-molecule reactions with chloroalkanes, chloroalkenes and other atmospherically important molecules, such as isoprene / 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, benzene / ethylbenzene / o,m,p-xylene and methyl vinyl ketone / methacrolein were undertaken to determine the ion- molecule reaction mechanisms, allowing quantification of isomeric species through understanding of the reaction products and novel approaches to the switching of the reduced electric field strength (E/n). The modification of instrumental parameters of PTR-MS were investigated further for the quantification of semi volatile compounds (SVOCs) and more specifically, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Use of a radio frequency (RF) ion funnel and high temperature instrumentation allowed for sub nanogram limits of detection for many PAHs, including Benzo[a]pyrene.

Abrasion of polymer surface films or coatings in an everyday occurrence, whether in the home, work or industry. As a result a wide variety of polymer films can be found on surfaces. Despite the numerous applications, three body thin film abrasion appears a niche area of study and as a result under-researched. This investigation focuses on identifying, characterising and quantifying the abrasive wear of a baked dehydrated castor oil deposit formed on stainless steel. The primary aim of this project is to understand how the fundamental properties of the liquid abrasive cleaning system contribute to the material removal. Investigations have primarily been carried out using a reciprocating linear tribometer for the cleaning and a profilometer to measure the wear. The wear of the baked oil film was found to largely follow the established Archard wear equation of sliding distance and load, despite the fact it was derived to describe two body and not three body wear. However the wear rate was not inversely proportional to hardness and there were significant effects when parameters not in the Archard equation are considered. IN particular changing the speed, viscosity, particle size and distribution all had an impact on the wear.