ChemistryMaterials & computational chemistry

The materials and computational research group covers a diverse range of interests with an emphasis on applied, multidisciplinary projects. The group has a strong track record of working with industry in areas such as:

  • energy
  • lighting
  • displays
  • polymer science
  • bionanotechnology
  • biophysical chemistry
  • sensors
  • the food industry

The activities of the section encompass inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry for the development of functional materials and devices. The work is complemented by substantial characterisation facilities and pioneering research into structure-property relationships. Research within this section also focuses on the structure and properties of molecules, metal-containing compounds, materials and biological systems.

Staff membersResearch interests
Dr Léonard Berlouis
  • thermal analytical techniques for materials characterisation
  • electrochemical technology
  • implementation of redox flow batteries for medium to large scale energy storage from renewable (wind, PV) generators  
Professor Nico Bruns
  • macromolecular chemistry at the interface of polymer chemistry and biotechnology
  • biocatalytic atom transfer radical polymerisations (bioATRP)
  • block copolymer and protein cage-based nanoreactors
  • bio-inspired materials; polymerisation-amplified biosensing  
Professor Peter A. G. Cormack 
  • polymer synthesis
  • porous polymers
  • microporous solids
  • polymer microspheres
  • self-assembly
  • molecular recognition
  • chemical functionalisation
  • separation science
Dr Gavin A Craig
  • supramolecular chemistry
  • porous molecules
  • magnetic molecules
  • self-assembly
  • spin crossover materials
Dr Aruna Ivaturi
  • thin films
  • solar cells
  • optoelectronics
  • photovoltaics
  • nanoelectronics 
Professor John Liggat  
  • polymer chemistry and physics including degradation
  • processing
  • morphology
  • physical properties and industrial applications
  • thermal analysis and evolved gas analysis 
Dr David Palmer 
  • computational chemistry
  • biophysical chemistry
  • drug discovery molecular solvation
  • molecular recognition
  • self-assembly
  • spectroscopy
  • informatics 
Dr Juliane Simmchen
  • colloidal synthesis and characterization
  • active matter
  • photocatalytic particles
  • biohybrid microswimmers and biomimetics
Dr Sebastian Sprick
  • conjugated polymers
  • conjugated microporous polymers
  • photocatalysis
  • solar fuels
  • water splitting
  • pathogen inactivation
Professor Tell Tuttle
  • application of computational methods to solve pending chemical problems
  • particular emphasis in the spheres of organic reactivity
  • bionanochemistry and soft matter (gels, emulsions)
Dr Tahereh Nematiaram
  • computational discovery and design of functional molecules and materials
  • charge transport properties of molecular semiconductors
  • optical properties of organic molecules and solids
  • crystal structure prediction of rigid conjugated molecules