New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. P ....New Polymers for Cellulose-based Bioplastics. We will design new cellulose derivatives by combining carefully engineered synthetic polymers to cellulose. We will explore the fundamental science underpinning the manufacture of these bioplastics, and apply the concept to the design of two new materials, with (super)hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. These materials have the potential to replace synthetic plastics, which comprise one of the major outputs of the chemical industry worldwide. Plastic is present everywhere in human life, but its manufacture and disposal have a strong negative impact on the environment; the new materials manufactured in this project are viable alternatives to plastics, and are sustainable from a production and disposal point of view.Read moreRead less
Pro-Fluorescent Aryl Nitroxides: New Probes for Polymer Lifetime and Kinetics Research. Internal aryl rings present in novel probes developed for this project impart fluorescence which is efficiently and internally quenched by the presence of a paramagnetic nitroxide group. Scavenging of radicals by the nitroxide however "switches on" the fluorescence and this enables powerful new fluorescence-based detection levels for the technique of nitroxide free radical scavenging. Such sensitivity is a ....Pro-Fluorescent Aryl Nitroxides: New Probes for Polymer Lifetime and Kinetics Research. Internal aryl rings present in novel probes developed for this project impart fluorescence which is efficiently and internally quenched by the presence of a paramagnetic nitroxide group. Scavenging of radicals by the nitroxide however "switches on" the fluorescence and this enables powerful new fluorescence-based detection levels for the technique of nitroxide free radical scavenging. Such sensitivity is applicable to polymerization kinetics studies, as well as providing new means for the determination of materials lifetimes. The development of pro-fluorescent markers as indicators for polymer degradation would be a significant outcome for materials where component failure has a major negative impact.Read moreRead less
Design and Synthesis of Photoactive Peptides Based on Photosynthetic Reaction Centres. The aim of this proposal is to generate new and useful electron transfer components for biotechnological applications. We plan to design and synthesize artificial photoactive peptides inspired from natural photosynthetic reaction centres which capture the energy of light and convert it into usable forms of chemical energy. Our research will provide the ground work for the development of light-driven oxidation- ....Design and Synthesis of Photoactive Peptides Based on Photosynthetic Reaction Centres. The aim of this proposal is to generate new and useful electron transfer components for biotechnological applications. We plan to design and synthesize artificial photoactive peptides inspired from natural photosynthetic reaction centres which capture the energy of light and convert it into usable forms of chemical energy. Our research will provide the ground work for the development of light-driven oxidation-reduction catalysts that can be used in the production of clean fuels and chemical products.Read moreRead less
Chemically re-engineering bioactive natural products using fragment based drug design. Current drug and agrichemical discovery technologies are under immense pressure to meet the future pharmaceutical and agriculture demand created by population growth. This project will develop a novel technology concept that re-engineers the chemical features of bioactive natural products optimising medicine and agrichemical discovery.
New generation functional materials for 21st century applications: exploiting the properties of naphthalene diimides. This project melds the expertise of several research groups in the area of fluorescent material development. Based on a family of highly fluorescent molecules, the project will focus on designing new sensors, polymeric materials and molecular switching devices.
Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will ....Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections. Bacterial biofilms are a major problem in healthcare systems around the world as they cause persistent and chronic infections, including those associated with medical implants and cystic fibrosis. This project aims to develop new chemical approaches to deliver nitroxides at surface interfaces and in microparticles to facilitate long term control over biofilm growth. It is expected that these functionalised scaffolds will represent a breakthrough in the field and will have a profound impact by reducing infection rates associated with medical devices and improving airway clearance in cystic fibrosis patients.Read moreRead less
Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nan ....Multiblock copolymer synthesis for nano-engineered materials. This project aims to develop methodology for environmentally friendly and industrially applicable synthesis of new types of advanced polymeric materials comprising multiblock copolymers. Polymeric materials play an important role in society with applications from bulk plastics to advanced technological applications. This would enable the creation of advanced materials with specific engineering targets and applications ranging from nanomedicine to materials science.Read moreRead less
Polymer Globules: Beyond the Homopolymer Model. Polymers are long chainlike molecules which play a crucial role in many aspects of our lives. As plastics they represent the most versatile and ubiquitous of man-made materials. Moreover, all living things depend on polymers for the structure of their cells and for the inheritance and function through DNA and proteins. Despite their importance our understanding of polymers is rather limited. The research funded by this proposal will enable us to ....Polymer Globules: Beyond the Homopolymer Model. Polymers are long chainlike molecules which play a crucial role in many aspects of our lives. As plastics they represent the most versatile and ubiquitous of man-made materials. Moreover, all living things depend on polymers for the structure of their cells and for the inheritance and function through DNA and proteins. Despite their importance our understanding of polymers is rather limited. The research funded by this proposal will enable us to understand more complicated kinds of polymers. This will help uncover some fascinating physics and in the long term develop new materials and promote new advances in biology. Read moreRead less
Polymer nanoparticles and their assembled supracolloidal monolithic structures for applications in separation science. This project will generate new polymeric materials that will improve the analysis of complex samples. This will be applied in a wide range of areas of national importance including: pharmaceutical analysis and drug discovery; environmental, clinical and forensic analysis; and energy generation and foods.
Macromolecular Condensates: From Globules to Toroids and Beyond. Polymers are long-chain molecules which are vital for all living things. Examples include proteins and DNA which carries all of the information needed for life. In the cell and in the laboratory these polymers are often found in a compact folded state. Current polymer science is good at describing very flexible polymers, but fails to describe most biological polymers which have backbones that are difficult to bend. Our aim is to ....Macromolecular Condensates: From Globules to Toroids and Beyond. Polymers are long-chain molecules which are vital for all living things. Examples include proteins and DNA which carries all of the information needed for life. In the cell and in the laboratory these polymers are often found in a compact folded state. Current polymer science is good at describing very flexible polymers, but fails to describe most biological polymers which have backbones that are difficult to bend. Our aim is to describe the folded or globular state for many kinds of biological polymers and thus improve our understanding of the role of polymers in living things.Read moreRead less