Research Areas: Electrocatalysis, Applied Electrochemistry, Sensors and Biosensors

Brief Description of Research:
Dr. Plamen Atanassov is a new faculty member starting his research program Fall of 2000. He has fourteen years of experience in the areas of biosensors development, which includes fundamental studies in the fields of bio-electrochemistry, bio-electrocatalysis, applied and engineering projects on biosensor systems design and practical implementations of the biosensing technology.

In addition to it Dr. Atanassov has significant industrial and professional R&D experience in applied electrochemistry and particularly in the development of electrocatalysts for electrochemical power sources, engineering of batteries and fuel cells, materials research and materials engineering. His research program in applied electrochemistry focuses on new electro-catalysts discovery, biomimetic approaches in electrocatalysis and bio-fuel cells research. Current research projects include development of non-platinum catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells and electrocatalytic gas sensors, including NOx and O2 sensors.

Current research interests in biosensing include systems based on bio-electrocatalysis. Fundamental studies in bio-electrocatalysis are focused on investigation of direct electron transfer enzyme catalyzed red-ox reactions. Research on electron exchange between enzyme active site and a metal/carbon electrode and role of protein globule in electrocatalysis, conformational and electrostatic interactions, intramolecular electron transfer through the polypeptide chain, role of functional groups and metal ions on the electron transfer constitute the basic science effort. Fundamental engineering studies are focused on catalytic aspects of direct electron transfer, catalytic elimination of overvoltage, and achieving equilibrium potentials at technically realistic times, etc.

The applications of these basic studies are being sought in engineering of biosensors based on electrochemical detection of direct electron transfer, enzyme sensor for direct detection of substrates of enzymes expressing bio-electrocatlytic properties and enzyme-labeled immunoassay of DNA sensors with direct electron transfer detection of enzyme labels; development of the assay format and system engineering of biosensor devices.