Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, QNC 3606
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West,
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
519-888-4567, ext. 38654
win-office@uwaterloo.ca
Research interests: sustainable nanomaterials, nano-structured systems for drug/pesticide delivery; polymer-surfactant interactions; magnetic nanoparticles for novel separation processes; functional cellulose nanomaterials for agriculture, biomedical, environmental and personal and homecare applications
My research focuses on the development of functional sustainable nanomaterials (SN) (cellulose nanocrystals, nano-starch, etc) for various advanced engineering applications. Additionally, nano-hybrids consisting of SN and well-defined block copolymers and responsive microgels are produced and utilized as smart delivery vehicles and separation media for agriculture and biomedical systems. My group seeks to advance the application of carbon neutral nanomaterials that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases, such as CO2.
It contains three key parts, (a) controlled polymer synthesis using green chemistry, (b) physical characterization of functional cellulose nanocrystals and microgels, (c) applications in controlled delivery vehicles and purification processes.
The scope of his research includes polymer synthesis using Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), physical characterization using light scattering (static and dynamic), rheometry, and calorimetry (Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The objective is to advance the development of novel sustainable nanomaterials by correlating the polymer architecture to the microscopic and macroscopic properties of the nano-hybrid systems.
Professor Michael K.C. Tam studied Chemical Engineering at Monash University, Australia, and graduated with a PhD in 1991. He then spent 18 months on a postdoctoral fellowship with Professor Bob Pelton at the Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Canada. In 1992, he took up an academic position at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and was promoted to full professor in 2004. He moved to the University of Waterloo in July 2007. He was appointed an associate editor of one of the American Chemical Society journals (ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering) on September 2015. His Google Scholar citation exceeds 16,300 with a H-Index of 65.
Recent publications include:
Please see Michael Tam's Google Scholar profile for a current list of his peer-reviewed articles.
Office: QNC 5617
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext.38339
Email: mkctam@uwaterloo.ca
Personal Website: Michael Tam
Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, QNC 3606
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West,
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
519-888-4567, ext. 38654
win-office@uwaterloo.ca
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.