Professor Hans Griesser
Contact Details
Tel: +61 8 8302 3703
Fax: +61 8 8302 3683
Email: hans.griesser@unisa.edu.au
Position
Deputy Director, Ian Wark Research Institute
Professor of Surface Science
Qualifications
DipChem SciTeachingCert PhD ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Background
Hans is a Physical Chemist by training and has applied this background to interdisciplinary research in various fields, particularly surface science, the analysis and modification of polymer surfaces, thin film deposition, biomaterials, and adhesion. Born in Switzerland, he studied science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, obtaining a Diploma in Chemistry (4-year course) and Secondary Schools Science Teacher's qualifications. He then joined the Physical Chemistry Department of the ETH to pursue PhD studies in molecular spectroscopy, leading to the degree of Dr. sc. nat. by the ETH Zurich in 1979.
Moving to Australia, he studied low temperature exciton spectroscopy as
Research Fellow at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian
National University, followed by 4 years with the Research Laboratory of
Kodak Australasia where he combined spectroscopy and surface science skills
to develop novel polymer surface treatments and vacuum-coated thin films for
non-photographic applications. Next, joining CSIRO in 1987, he continued
research on surface modification and thin film coating processes, and
surface analysis methods. This work led to the establishment of a research
group that performed fundamental and applied R&D, using surface science and
plasma technologies for various purposes, particularly for the development
of novel biomaterial surfaces and coatings, and for achieving adhesive
bonding of polymers. The most notable achievement in that period was his
major role in the development of the first viable extended wear contact
lens, Ciba Vision Focus Night&Day, which has enjoyed enormous commercial
success. He joined The Wark in early 2002, where he
has continued research on biomaterials surfaces and their interactions with
biological systems, polymer surfaces and coatings, and surface analysis
methods.
He acts as PhD supervisor for students who undertake PhD and Masters projects in the well-equipped surface science laboratories. These PhD projects provide fundamental knowledge on interfaces and biomaterials. He also lectures in surface science and biomedical engineering.
His mother tongue is Swiss German; and he speaks English, French and some Spanish. His main interests outside work are photography; raising and growing Australian plants, especially rare and endangered species that require conservation measures; bushwalking; and exploring Australia's Outback areas.
Research Interests
Hans' current research interests comprise fundamental and applied
studies on the design and fabrication of novel surfaces and coatings for
various purposes where control of interfacial properties is required. A
major focus is on molecularly thin bioactive coatings for polymeric and
orthopaedic biomaterials, and study of their interactions with biological
systems, including study of protein and lipid adsorption on synthetic
surfaces. A major area of research is the design and development of surfaces
that can resist the attachment of bacteria and the formation of bacterial
biofilms, particularly such as to prevent infection at implant surfaces. As
part of this, his research group is also extracting and identifying novel
antibacterial chemicals from Australian plants.
Other activities comprise fundamental studies of coatings and polymer
surfaces, gas plasma technologies, polymer surface dynamics, and the
development of surface analytical methods. His work has application for
biomedical devices, adhesive bonding, membranes, thin film dielectrics, and
protective coatings. In addition to devices, his surface engineering methods
can also be applied to beads, powders, and nano-particles. Much of this
research is interdisciplinary and performed in close collaboration with
biochemists, biologists, microbiologists, biomedical engineers and
clinicians in other institutions and companies.
Supervisor - Available Postgraduate/Honours Projects
Anticorrosive
thin polymer film on metallic substrate (P)
Consequences of protein adsorption on bioactive coatings
(P)
Dielectric
properties and biological interactions of ultrathin polymeric coatings
(P)
Interfacial properties of dendrimers for improved pharmaceutical activity
(P)
A novel
physicochemical method of promoting germination of seeds of endangered
Australian plants (H)
Consequences of
protein adsorption on bioactive coatings (H)
Dielectric properties and biological interactions of ultrathin polymeric
coatings (H)
Lipid
adsorption on synthetic biomaterials (H)
Book Chapters, Publications and Patents
List
(PDF 70kb)
Significant Publications
A review on plasma polymerization for biomedical applications
K.S. Siow, L. Britcher, S. Kumar and H.J. Griesser,
Plasma Methods for the Generation of Chemically Reactive Surfaces for
Biomolecule Immobilization and Cell Colonization - A Review,
Plasma Processes and Polymers, 3, 392 (2006)
A review of our
strategies for antibacterial coatings
H.J. Griesser, H. Ys, C.P. Ndi, L. Britcher, K. Vasilev, M. Jasieniak, S.S.
Griesser, S.J. Semple,
Combating Infections at Biomedical Implants and Devices by Antibacterial
Coatings,
Chemistry in Australia, 75 (10), 5-8, (2008)
A
review on antibacterial biomaterials coatings
K. Vasilev, J. Cook and H.J. Griesser,
Antibacterial Surfaces for Biomedical Devices,
Expert Review of Medical Devices, 6, 553-567 (2009)