Maryam came to Sheffield in October 2008 from Tehran, where she graduated with a Masters degree in physics from Sharif University in 2007. Prior to Sharif, Maryam studied at the Islamic Azad University, also in Tehran. At Sheffield she is working in collaboration with Professor Graham Leggett of the Department of Chemistry on a project to understand the nanoscale phenomena involved in tribology, i.e. the study of friction. Polymer surfaces present an interesting challenge for friction because of their varied and controllable proerties. Their interaction with small asperities, such as that of an atomic force microscope tip are not fully understood. Maryam is studying the interactions between functionalised (and non-functionalised) AFM tips and polyelectrolyte brush-coated surfaces. This work, funded by the EPSRC also involves, Jason, a former student of mine, now working on this project with Graham.
Professor Graham Leggett's research group
Email: php08mr_AT_sheffield.ac.uk