GATE

      

Afilliation

Department for Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering (MaTCh) - Centre for Textile Science and Technology (CTSE)
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
Ghent University

 

Research focus

Karen De Clerck is associate professor at the Department of Materials Textiles and Chemical Engineering. Karen De Clerck holds a PhD and a master degree from Ghent University as well as a Masters degree from The University of Manchester. Her research group focuses on fibre production and functionalization. Over the last decade she developed a strong expertise on the electrospinning and functionalization of nanofiber based materials based on several in-house designed electrospinning set-ups and methodologies. This involves the spinning of many polymer systems as well as an in-depth fiber analysis. The nanofiber materials range from random nanofibrous membranes over oriented membranes to advanced blend systems as well as core-shell nanofibers. This allows for a vast range novel materials for advanced applications such as novel nanofibrous biomedical materials, optical sensor materials, nano-enhanced composite materials as well as advanced fibrous structures for filtration and purification. 

 

Research team

Research group of Karen De Clerck under Centre for Textile Science and Technology (CTSE):
2 post-doc, 10 PhD

 

Biography 

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Key publications: 

• E. Schoolaert, R. Hoogenboom and K. De Clerck. Colorimetric Nanofibers as Optical Sensors. Adv. Funct. Mater., 27(38) (2017) 1-26. (IF2016=12.124, ranking=13/275)
  This feature article was written on invitation for one of the leading material science journals.
  The paper was also selected for the front cover image. It confirms our international recognisition in the development of optical sensors based on nanofibrous materials. K. De Clerck is PI and corresponding author, guided the research work performed and drafting of the paper.

•  J. Geltmeyer, G. Vancoillie, I. Steyaert, B. Breyne, G. Cousins, K. Lava, R. Hoogenboom, K. De Buysser and K. De Clerck. Dye Modification of Nanofibrous Silicon Oxide Membranes for Colorimetric HCl and NH3 Sensing. Adv. Funct. Mater., 26(33) (2016) 5987-5996. (IF2016=12.124, ranking=13/275)
  This research article shows a major breakthrough in both the development of colorimetric sensors and the spinning of functionalized silica based nanofibers. It was the first paper to demonstrate colorimetric nanofibers based on silica materials including an innovative technology to directly spin the fibers. The paper was selected for a cover image. K. De Clerck is PI and corresponding author, guided the research work performed and drafting of the paper.

• E. Schoolaert, P. Ryckx, J. Geltmeyer, S. Maji, P. Van Steenberge, D. D’hooge, R. Hoogenboom and K. De Clerck. Waterborne Electrospinning of poly(N-isopropyl Acrylamide) by Control of Environmental Parameters. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 9(28) (2017) 24100-24110. (IF2016=7.504, ranking=22/275)
  This research article nicely illustrates the need of controlled environmental conditions to allow for water-borne electrospinning. This is largely overlooked in the electrospinning community. Our research group has shown the importance of relative humidity and temperature control in several papers. In addition PNIPAM was reported in the past not to spin well from aqueous solution, whereas this paper proves it can be spun from water under controlled conditions including a detailed insight in the mechanisms. K. De Clerck is PI and corresponding author, guided the research work performed and drafting of the paper.

• L. Daelemans, S. van der Heijden, I. De Baere, H. Rahier, W. Van Paepegem and K. De Clerck. Damage-resistant Composites Using Electrospun Nanofibers: a Multiscale Analysis of the Toughening Mechanisms. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 8(18) (2016) 11806-11818. (IF2016=7.504, ranking=22/275)
  Our research group has taken a leading role in the study of nanofiber toughening of composite materials. This research paper reports on important insights in the toughening mechanisms based on a multiscale analysis. K. De Clerck is PI and corresponding author, guided the research work performed and drafting of the paper.

• L. Van der Schueren, I. Steyaert, B. De Schoenmaker and K. De Clerck. Polycaprolactone/chitosan Blend Nanofibres Electrospun from an Acetic Acid/formic Acid Solvent System. Carbohydr. Polym., 88(4) (2012) 1221-1226. (IF2012=3.479, ranking=7/71)
  This research paper illustrates the potentials of an Acetic Acid/Formic Acid solvent system for blend electrospinning allowing for a versatility in fiber properties. This solvent system was first reported by our group and shows a strong versatile alternative for more toxic solvent systems used today. It is suitable for a range of polymers and blends as well as for doping with small molecules or nanoparticles. K. De Clerck is PI and corresponding author, guided the research work performed and drafting of the paper.

 

Contact & links:

Karen De Clerck
Department of Materials Textiles and Chemical Engineering
Technologiepark 907
9052 Zwijnaarde
+32 9 2645740
Karen.declerck@ugent.be

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