Susyn Kelly

Citation

Thesis Title
Use of small angle X-ray scattering in investigations of leather and the cornea

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Collagen is the primary structural protein in the skin and cornea where it provides strength and optical transparency. The mechanical performance of skin is of interest to leather tanneries to enhance material strength allowing for wider use applications. In the cornea, collagen structures are of interest to further our understanding of how they affect optical transparency. As part of her research, Ms Kelly examined collagen structures at the nano-scale using small angle X-ray scattering alongside mechanical testing to form structure-function relationships in leather and the cornea. She found a causal relationship between the relative alignment of collagen and the material strength and stiffness of leather. In addition, she characterised the collagen structure in opaque lesions called Tropical Keratopathy and the structural changes of collagen in the cornea caused by common. Her research has shown the usefulness of an X-ray diffraction technique for characterising collagen structures.

Supervisors
Professor Richard Haverkamp
Professor Yusuf Chisti
Dr Hannah Wells