Dr Gregory Watson

Experience

2009 Lecturer, James Cook University

2005 - 2009 Lecturer in Physics/Chemistry, Manager Scanning Probe Facility, Griffith University

2001 - 2005 Research Fellow, School of Biomolecular and Physical Sciences Griffith University

1997-2001 Ph.D School Science, Griffith University

1996-1997 Research Fellow, School of Science, Griffith University

1995-1996 Bachelor of Science (Hons 1), School of Science, Griffith University

Research and Professional Interests

My research is multi-disciplinary in its approach and setting, resulting in papers published in biology, chemistry and physics journals/books.

• Nanotechnology and Nanoscience

• Scanning Probe Microscopy

• Atomic Force Microscopy

• Characterisation of surface and subsurface properties

• Quantification of Micro and Nano-scale forces in 3 dimensions - Applications in the Biological, Chemical, Environmental and Physical sciences

• Nano-tribology and adhesional properties of natural nanostructures

• Expertise with various forms of microscopy and surface characterisation instrumentation

Postgraduate projects available for students (Honours and PhD level)

• Nano and micro natural nanostructures: From superhydrophobicity and water capture to the next self cleaning technologies;

A 10 l drop of water on an insect membrane demonstrating superhydrophobicity (middle) and a high resolution image of the wing membrane (left) and line profile of the structures (right)

• Characterisation and mechanistic processes involved on anti-biofouling surfaces of marine organisms e.g., jellyfish;

• Nano clamping of nano-tears on polymer surfaces;

• Mechanical properties and functioning of insect wing membranes;

• Chemical nano-patterning of surfaces using Scanning Force Microscopy;

• Using controlled frictional differentiation on polymer surfaces for selectively patterning chemistry;

• Frictional studies of earth dwelling insects and crustaceans;

• Towards healthier waterways - Characterisation and quantitative measurement of aquatic nano and micro-particles using Atomic Force Microscopy;

• Adhesional studies of natural contaminants on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces;

• Effective communication models for teaching large and small classes in the sciences at the tertiary level;

• Temporal evolution of living cells from bio/chemical exposure: Investigations of slow and fast dynamics using Atomic Force Microscopy.

Teaching

CH1002 - Chemistry: Principles and Applications

TV1200 - Veterinary Professional Life

PC1005 -Molecular Basis of Therapeutics 1

CH2012 -Environmental Analytical Techniques (Subject Coordinator)

CH3013 - Instrumental Analytical Techniques (Subject Coordinator)

Publications

Books – Scientific Monographs (B1 Weighting 5)

Watson GS and Watson JA: Quantitative Measurements of Nano Forces using Atomic Force Microscopy, VDM Verlag, Germany, 2008.

Watson JA, Myhra S, Brown CL, Watson GS: Micro/Nano-Architecture of Polymers via UV and Scanning Probe Microscopy, VDM Verlag, Germany, 2008.

Book chapters (B1- w eighting 1 )

Watson GS, Myhra S, Cribb BW, Watson JA, “Imaging and Investigation of Function(s) and Efficiency of Ordered Cuticular Nanostructures”, In: “Nanoscale Structure and Properties of Microbial Cell Surfaces”, Nova Science Publishers, Editor Ivanova E P, Chapter 6, pp. 175-198, 2007.

Watson GS, Watson JA, Myhra S, “Morphology, Mechanical Properties and Manipulation of Living Cells - Atomic Force Microscopy”, In: “Nanoscale Structure and Properties of Microbial Cell Surfaces”, Nova Science Publishers, Editor Ivanova EP, Chapter 5, pp. 145-173, 2007.

Fully refereed publications (2004-2009) (C1 & E1 - Weighting 1 )

Mingxia Sun, Gregory S Watson, Jolanta Watson, Yongmei Zheng, Aiping Liang: Wetting properties on nanostructured surfaces of cicada wings, Journal of Experimental Biology, (Accepted) 2009

Watson GS, Hu S, Cribb BW, Myhra S, Brown CL, Watson JA: Micro and Nano-Structures Found on Insect Wings - Designs for Minimising Adhesion and Friction, International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, (Accepted) 2009.

Watson GS, Myhra S, Watson JA: Measuring Anisotropic Friction on WTe₂ Using Atomic Force Microscopy in the Force-Distance and Friction Modes, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, (Accepted) 2009.

Watson GS, Watson JA: Features of static and dynamic friction profiles in one and two dimensions on polymer and atomically flat surfaces using atomic force microscopy, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 100, 012045, 2008.

Watson GS, Watson JA: Analysis of cytoskeletal features in dried and living cells and slow dynamic experiments using Atomic Force Microscopy, Journal of Physics: Conference Series , 100 , 012041, 2008.

Watson GS, Myhra S, Cribb BW, Watson JA: Putative function(s) and functional efficiency of ordered cuticular nano-arrays on insect wings, Biophysical Journal, 94(8), 3352-3360, 2008.

Watson GS, Watson JA: Diamond-like-carbon (DLC) master creation for use in soft lithography using the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Journal of Physics – Conference Series, 61 , 1246-1250, 20 07.

Watson GS, Watson JA: Potential Applications of Scanning Probe Microscopy in Forensic Science, Journal of Physics – Conference Series, 61 , 1251-1255, 2007.

Watson JA, Brown CL, Myhra S, Watson GS: Two-dimensional stick-slip on a soft elastic polymer: Pattern generation using atomic force microscopy, Nanotechnology, 17, 2581-2589, 2006.

Busfield WK, Watson GS: Free Radical Activity in Gamma-Irradiated Polyethylene Film, Drawn Tape and Ultra High Modulus Fibres determined by Grafting Performance, Polymer International, 54, 1047-1054, 2005.

Watson GS, Watson JA, Ed. Jagadish C, Lu GQM: Creating Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) Templates Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Proceedings of the 2006 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ISBN 1-4244-0453-3, 588-591 (2006).

Watson GS, Watson JA, Ed. Jagadish C, Lu GQM: Polymeric Surface Alteration via Scanning Probe Microscopy, Proceedings of the 2006 International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, ISBN 1-4244-0453-3, 592-595 (2006).

Myhra S, Watson GS: Tip-induced nano-writing/machining of Si and DLC surfaces-‘anodic’ versus thermal oxidation, Appl. Phys. A, 81, 487-493, 2005.

Watson JA, Watson GS: Tunable nano-array structures for controlling light reflectance/transmission in the visible spectrum, Proceedings of SPIE : Device and Process Technologies for Microelectronics, MEMS, and Photonics IV, 6037, 60371D-1 – 60371D-9, (2005).

Watson GS, Myhra S, Watson JA: Lithography of diamond-like-carbon (DLC) films for use as masters in soft-lithography, Proceedings of SPIE : Device and Process Technologies for Microelectronics, MEMS, and Photonics IV, 6037, 60371C-1 – 60371C-9, (2005).

Sawant PD, Watson GS, Myhra S, Nicolau DV Jr., Nicolau DV: Hierarchy of DNA Immobilization and Hybridization on Poly-L-Lysine Using An Atomic Force Microscopy Study, Journal of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, 5, 951-957, 2005.

Watson GS, Brown CL, Myhra S, Hu S, Roch NC, Watson JA: ‘Patterning’ frictional differentiation to a polymer surface by atomic force microscopy, Proce edings of SPIE : Device and Process Technologies for Microelectronics, MEMS, and Photonics IV, 6037, 60371B-1 – 60371B-11, (2005).

Watson GS, Dinte BP, Blach-Watson JA, Myhra S: Friction measurements using force versus distance friction loops in force microscopy, Appl. Surf. Sci., 235, 38-42, 2004.

Watson JA, Myhra S, Brown CL, Watson GS: AFM-Based Micro/Nano-Scale Lithography of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) – Stick-Slip on a ‘Soft’ Polymer, in Proceedings of SPIE : SPIE Smart Materials, Nano- and Micro-Smart Systems, 5650, 474-482 (2004).

Watson GS, Watson JA, Brown CL, Myhra S: Protein Folding and Unfolding by Force Microscopy: A Novel ‘Inverse’ Methodology, in Proceedings of SPIE : SPIE Smart Materials: Nano- and Micro-Smart Systems, 5650, 456-463 (2004).

Blach-Watson JA, Watson GS, Myhra S: Characterization of biological materials on the nano/meso-scale by force microscopy, Materials Technology, 19, 12-16, 2004.

Blach-Watson JA, Watson GS, Brown CL, Myhra S: UV patterning of polyimide: differentiation and characterization of surface chemistry and structure, Appl. Surf. Sci., 235, 164-169, 2004.

Watson GS, Blach JA, Cahill C, Nicolau DV, Pham DK, Wright J, Myhra S: Interactions of poly(amino acids) in aqueous solution with charged model surfaces – analysis by colloidal probe, Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 19, 1355-1362, 2004.

Watson GS, Watson JA: Natural Nano-Structures on Insects – Possible Functions of Ordered Arrays Characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy, Appl. Surf. Sci., 235, 139-144, 2004.

Blach JA, Watson GS, Brown CL, Pham DK, Wright J, Nicolau DV, Myhra S: A mechanistic approach to tip-induced nano-lithography of polymer surfaces, Thin Solid Films, 459, 95-99, 2004.