Our group is currently investigating the use of small peptides as ligands. Solid phase combinatorial peptide libraries are screened as a means to efficiently identify effective ligands for purification of specific proteins from complex mixtures, such as human plasma. CO 2 -soluble surfactants are being studied. These efforts will dramatically reduce the generation of hazardous wastes, which are currently either released into the atmosphere or subject to destructive treatment. Innovative cleaning technologies are also under development, based on fundamental studies of the mechanisms by which organic films are attached to solid surfaces.
Surfactant structure is the primary variable of interest.
The state of aggregation of the surfactant has a significant effect on the ability of the surfactant to solubilize the organic, on the rates of adsorption and desorption of the surfactant from the interface, and on many solution properties. More detailed knowledge of the surfactant-surface interaction may lead to cleaning processes which do not utilize volatile solvents or are more efficient in their use of water and detergent, and are therefore less harmful to the environment.