Dr. Wilkins joined U of M as a research fellow in 2007.
She studies the flow properties, structure and dynamics of anisotropic colloidal suspensions. She investigates a range of systems from polyamide rods to carbon nanotubes. Anisotropic particles are used in many applications from stabilization of detergents in the personal care industries to anti-sag agents in the paints and coatings industry but they are also fundamentally interesting. Colloidal hydrodynamics are well studied in a variety of colloidal systems but there is yet to be a study of how colloidal hydrodynamics effects the bulk and micro properties of dispersions. The aim here is to use one model system in which several hydrodynamic parameters can be varied. She uses a variety of techniques including dynamic light scattering, ultra small angle light scattering, confocal laser scanning microscopy, optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy.