Prof. Stanislav N. Gorb

Prof. Stanislav N. Gorb and his team, working on projects about plant-insect interactions, visit the Nepenthes collection in the greenhouse of the Botanical Garden at the Kiel University. From left to right: Martina Baum, Elena Gorb (front row), Julia Purtov, Stanislav Gorb, Nadine Jacky (back row).

The research conducted by Stanislav Gorb and his department is mainly focused on various biological surfaces specialized for enhancement or reduction of friction and adhesion. “Plant“ group examines the effect of different structures occurring on a plant surface on attachment ability of insects. Emphasis is on surfaces exhibiting anti-adhesive properties, such as surfaces covered with three-dimensional epicuticular waxes. Carnivorous plants from the genus Nepenthes with a range of insect- related surfaces are among model plants. The group of Martin Steinhart deals with mesoscopic structure design of low-dimensional systems. Using self-ordered anodic aluminum oxide as inorganic model matrix, dynamics and elastic properties of soft matter, crystallization of pharmaceuticals and microphase separation of block copolymers in nanopores are studied, often in collaboration with other groups. Moreover, functional nanostructured and microstructured surfaces consisting of block copolymers, nanorod arrays and microsphere arrays are prepared and investigated. Examples include patterned polymeric surfaces with specific adhesive properties and nanorod arrays used as sensor elements, substrates for tissue engineering and imprint moulds.