We are always looking for enthusiastic scientists capable of working in an interdisciplinary team. If you are interested in creating materials by simple self-assembly processes, pattern surfaces with high precision without relying on sophisticated equipment or simply enjoy watching colloids on their quest to find an energetic minimum position get in touch.
Thesis offers
To apply for a bachelor- and master thesis or a miniproject, please contact the responsible person via email and provide a CV and an up-to-date transcript of records.
Halide-free synthesis of bimetallic silver-gold alloy nanoparticles
Bachelor’s or Master’s
Supervisor: Nabi Traoré
Nanoparticles are defined with an average size of 1 to 100 nm. Particles in this size range show interesting properties (optical, electronic, etc.) and therefore are already in use in multiple industries (Medicine, Electronics, Chemical Industry, etc). Multimetallic nanoparticles are often used to combine properties of multiple metals or unlock synergistic effects (e.g., for catalysis).
The synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles is strongly influenced by the hydrochemistry in the reaction solution. Especially relevant is the precipitation of poorly soluble silver-chloride, which complicates the synthesis of homogeneously alloyed nanoparticles.
The aim of this project is to synthesize spherical silver-gold alloy nanoparticles using halide-free gold precursors to remove the issue of silver-chloride formation. This could enable a significant simplification in the synthesis of anisotropic silver-gold nanostructures.
Requirements
The work offers a huge level of freedom and the opportunity to directly influence the outcome of the study.
Initiative, motivation, and diligence are a prerequisites. Subject-related knowledge, however, can be acquired over the course of the work.
Biodegradable PHBV/PLA Supraparticles for Position-Controlled Dual Drug Release in Laser-Based 3D-Prints
Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis
Supervisor: Frederic Rudlof
Biodegradable polymer systems with spatially controlled drug release offer promising solutions for next-generation bone implants. This work focuses on PHBV/PLA composite supraparticles, combining two polymers with distinct degradation profiles: PHBV degrades within ~6 months, while PLA persists for over 12–24 months.
Primary particles of both polymers are produced via size-controlled miniemulsion and assembled into supraparticles by spray drying in varying size ratios. In a first step, drug-free systems are evaluated in cell studies to understand degradation behavior. Subsequently, anti-inflammatory agents are incorporated into the faster-degrading PHBV, and osteogenic compounds into PLA. The composite powders are processed into 3D structures via laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P).
This project aims to establish a bioresorbable platform for dual, position-dependent drug release, tailored through material degradation and supraparticle architecture.
Requirements:
This thesis offers a high level of freedom in planning and execution. Good time management, self-organization, and a proactive mindset are essential.
Motivation, initiative, and diligence are key to navigating the experimental and interdisciplinary nature of the work.
No prior subject-specific knowledge is required – relevant skills and background can be acquired during the project.
Dual-Polymer Dry Blend Supraparticles for Tunable Drug Release and Degradation-Driven Porosity in 3D-Prints
Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis
Supervisor: Frederic Rudlof
The use of biodegradable polymers in additive manufacturing enables implant systems with both structural and therapeutic functionality. This thesis explores a dry blend approach using pure PLA and PHBV supraparticles, each produced separately by spray drying of miniemulsion-derived primary particles. PHBV degrades within ~6 months under physiological conditions, while PLA remains stable for over 12–24 months.
First, drug-free supraparticles are studied to investigate the degradation-driven changes in porosity and mechanical stability of laser-printed test specimens over time. In a second phase, anti-inflammatory agents are embedded in PHBV and osteogenic compounds in PLA prior to supraparticle formation. These are then blended in defined ratios and processed into 3D structures via powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P).
This study aims to understand how polymer-specific degradation influences drug release, implant porosity, and long-term stability, offering insights into the design of next-generation bioresorbable implants with tunable release profiles and evolving architecture.
Requirements:
This thesis offers a high level of freedom in planning and execution. Good time management, self-organization, and a proactive mindset are essential.
Motivation, initiative, and diligence are key to navigating the experimental and interdisciplinary nature of the work.
No prior subject-specific knowledge is required – relevant skills and background can be acquired during the project.
Preparation and Spray-drying of PLA / PDA composite Supraparticles as biodegradable absorber alternative for visible light powder bed fusion
Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis
Supervisor: Frederic Rudlof
The growing demand for sustainable and biocompatible materials in additive manufacturing has led to increased interest in bio-based polymers for advanced applications such as tissue engineering and medical implants. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a promising candidate due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility, but its low absorption in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) range limits its use with alternative light sources such as diode lasers. To overcome this, polydopamine (PDA) is introduced as a broadband absorber with strong UV–NIR absorption and additional biofunctional advantages.
This work investigates the potential of PLA/PDA composite supraparticles for laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/P) using visible and NIR light.
PLA and PDA primary particles are combined via miniemulsion and spray drying to create composite powders. These are characterized in terms of flowability, thermal behavior, and optical properties, and processed using both CO₂ and diode lasers. The printed parts are then evaluated for mechanical properties, microstructure, and interlayer bonding. The goal is to assess the feasibility of visible-light-driven PBF for producing resorbable, biocompatible structures suitable for future biomedical applications.
Requirements:
This thesis offers a high level of freedom in planning and execution. Good time management, self-organization, and a proactive mindset are essential.
Motivation, initiative, and diligence are key to navigating the experimental and interdisciplinary nature of the work.
No prior subject-specific knowledge is required – relevant skills and background can be acquired during the project.
Overall, this project is ideal for students who are looking for an independent, hands-on research experience with room for creativity and impact.
Synthesis and Characterization of Silica-Polymer Core-Shell Particles
Miniproject
Supervisor: Ruiguang Cui
Studying particles at two-dimensional (2D) interfaces is of fundamental scientific interest and has practical implications in fields such as optical materials, lithography, and biosensing. Among various colloidal systems, hybrid core-shell particles—comprising a hard inorganic core and a soft polymer shell—offer unique physical properties that lie between those of fully rigid or fully soft particles. These core-shell systems exhibit spontaneous adsorption to interfaces and can be tailored to assemble into ordered structures through their polymer shells, particularly when using stimuli-responsive polymers (e.g., pH- or temperature-sensitive systems).
In this mini-project, we aim to synthesize silica-polymer core-shell particles and study how synthetic conditions influence their structure. The core silica particles are prepared using the well-established Stöber method, while polymer shells are grown via UV-light-induced controlled polymerization (specifically RAFT polymerization, i.e., Reversible Addition–Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization).
Project Goals
- Investigate how reaction parameters (e.g., UV exposure time, monomer concentration, block copolymer formation) affect particle size, polymer chain length, and shell structure
- Characterize the resulting core-shell particles through techniques such as FTIR, NMR, GPC, TGA, DLS, SEM, and TEM
- Quantify key parameters such as polymer molecular weight, chain length, and grafting density
What You Will Gain
- Hands-on experience with oxygen- and moisture-free synthesis using Schlenk techniques
- Training in controlled radical polymerization (RAFT polymerization)
- Insights into grafting polymers from solid surfaces
- Familiarity with key analytical instruments: FTIR, NMR, GPC, TGA, DLS, SEM, TEM
- A deeper understanding of polymer chemistry
- Guidance on data analysis and scientific presentation skills
Who Are We Looking For?
- A highly motivated and diligent master’s student
- With solid basic skills in chemical synthesis
- Background in chemistry, preferably with some knowledge of polymer chemistry
If you’re interested in contributing to cutting-edge materials research and developing a broad set of experimental skills, please directly contact Ruiguang Cui (ruiguang.cui@fau.de).
References:
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2021, 118 (52). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113394118.
ACS Omega 2017, 2 (7), 3399-3405. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b00367
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