Dr Michael R. Mucalo
Senior Lecturer in Chemistry; Undergraduate Coordinator
Qualifications: MSc (Hons, First Class) Auckland (1988), PhD Auckland (1991)
Contact Details
| Name | Extn. | Username | Room | Department | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mucalo, Dr Michael | 4404 | mucalo | E.3.07 | Chemistry | ||||
| Mucalo, Dr Michael | 4404 | mucalo | DE.3.01 | Co-Operative Education Unit |
You can contact staff by:
- Calling +64 7 838 4466 then enter the extension
- Direct dialling +64 7 838 then extension (for extensions starting with 4)
- Direct dialling +64 7 858 then extension (for extensions starting with 5)
- Emailing username@waikato.ac.nz
- Using the campus map to locate their room
Research Interests
Biomaterials, Calcium phosphate chemistry, Metal colloids (nanoparticles), IR spectroelectrochemistry of Corrosion Systems, Application of IR spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometry to Research, Drug Delivery
My research interests cover a broad range of topics many of which are very topical within the international research environment. The first of these, Biomaterials, refers to the study of materials which are biocompatible with the body and so suitable for use as implants or prostheses. I have a particular interest in calcium phosphate-based materials chemistry which arises out of the fact that hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 which is the principal component of human and animal bone. The amount of fundamental and applied research involving the synthesis, chemical reactions and behaviour of hydroxyapatite as an implant in the body is huge. This is due principally to hydroxyapatite’s bioactivity (i.e. ability to bind to bone in vivo) as opposed to stainless steel, alumina and zirconia which comprise the more classically used bioinert/biotolerant materials which do not have this bone-bonding ability. A large amount of research supported by both New Zealand and overseas funding sources has been carried out on the use of processed, waste bovine bone from agricultural sources as a bone replacement material in humans. The work emerging from this research which has involved many collaborations between various institutions both here and abroad, achieved both national and international recognition and has culminated in a clinical study where the osteoconductivity of the materials was tested in a sheep model. Further work is needed to develop this material for eventual human use.
Allied with this work of a general biomaterials theme is a recent research interest in hormonal drug delivery devices for controlling the reproductive cycles in cattle sheep and goats which are manufactured by a local company.
My other research area is in colloids; these are dispersions of particles that possess diameters on the borderline between that characteristic of classical bulk solids and atoms and molecules. Colloids have been famous in antiquity but have only been properly scientifically investigated since the mid 19th century when the first paper to be published on gold sols was published by Michael Faraday. Thereafter colloids were a popular topic of study especially in Germany with numerous papers published. After a lull of 80 years or so, research into what is now currently called “nanoparticle systems” has experienced a very strong renaissance due to their potential applications in “nanotechnology”, the current buzzword of popular science. Fundamental chemistry research in this area focus on synthesis, particle size distributions, size and shape and catalytic properties as well as their optical properties. My research has focussed on synthesis, particle size and surface properties of precious metal colloids including Pt, Pd, Rh and Re using modern techniques not formerly used to study these systems in earlier days.
Spectroelectrochemistry is popularly referred to as a "marriage" between electrochemistry and spectroscopy. The technique arose because the techniques traditionally used in electrochemistry such as cyclic voltammetry only give rather indirect information on processes occurring at the electrode/electrolyte interface in working electrochemical cells. The use of a spectroscopic technique in conjunction with electrochemical techniques provide molecular information that can be associated with various observations gleaned from the voltammetric techniques. Using this approach a myriad of systems can be studied and my speciality is looking at some little studied metal/cyanide or metal/pseudohalide ion corrosion systems which are well suited to study by infrared spectroscopic techniques.
Students Supervised
MSc:
Christina Strawbridge - Application of Dendrimers in the Agrichemical Industry
Yuan Wang - Real time NMR analysis of Melamine Formaldehyde resins
PhD:
Kethsiri Lokuliyangage - Design of a cell that would allow electrospray mass spectrometric (ESMS) monitoring of an electrochemical reaction
Teaching Commitments
Expertise
General colloid chemistry and measurements of their particle size distribution and surface charge; biomedical materials; IR spectroscopy and IR microscopy
Recent Publications
- Thomas, K., Mucalo, M., Thorburn, Q., Oakley, A. (2011) On the development of novel matrices for delivering beneficial compounds in vivo in agricultural industry
Conference - Oral Presentation - The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Conference - Wang, Y., Zeng, H., Woolley, S., Earnshaw, S., Campbell, C., Mucalo, M., Wilkins, A., Langdon, A. (2011) Dynamic NMR analysis of melamine formaldehyde resins
Conference - Poster Presentation - The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Conference - Alwis, K., Mucalo, M., Manley-Harris, M. (2011) Electrochemistry in non-aqueous corrosion systems monitored in SITU by FTIR spectroscopy
Conference - Poster Presentation - The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry Conference - Gardyne, S., Mucalo, M., Rathbone, M. (2011) The application of co-melt-extruded poly (ɛ-caprolactone) as a controlled release drug delivery device when combined with novel bioactive drug candidates: Membrane permeation and Hanson dissolution studies
Refereed Journal Articles - Results in Pharma Sciences
