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Andrew deMello

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    • Miniaturised Total Analysis Systems (Lab-on-a-Chip)
    • Controlled production of Nanoparticles using microfluidic and nanofluidic reactors
    • High-Sensitivity Optical Detection Techniques
    • Integrated Chemical Sensors
Contact details:

Room 442, Department of Chemistry
Imperial College London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 5820
Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 5834
Email : a.demelloimperial.ac.uk

Research Interests 

  • Ultra-high sensitivity optical detection
  • Microfluidics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Medical diagnostics  

Our research group is engaged in a broad range of activities in the general area of microfluidics and nanoscale science. Primary specialisations include the development of microfluidic devices for analytical and bio-analytical applications, ultra-sensitive optical detection techniques, nanofluidic reaction systems for chemical synthesis, novel methods for nanoparticle synthesis and the exploitation of semiconducting materials in diagnostic applications.

 
Other Activities
Teaching -Undergraduate Courses / Modules
  • Teacher, Year 1, UG - Basic Molecular Spectroscopy
  • Lecturer, Year 1, UG - Foundation Mathematics
  • Supervisor, Year 1, UG - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Course
  • Lecturer, Year 3, UG - Optical Sensing and Detecting
  • Lecturer, Year 4, UG - Miniaturised Chemistry
Biography

Andrew deMello has been on the faculty of the Chemistry Department at Imperial College London since 1997 and is currently Professor of Chemical Nanosciences. He obtained his PhD in Molecular Photophysics at Imperial College London in 1995 and subsequently held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley before returning to the UK. Professor deMello's current research programmes are centred on the areas of miniaturized chemical analysis systems and ultra-high sensitivity detection. Generally, studies focus on performing chemistry and biology in nanoliter volumes, high-efficiency manipulation of small liquid samples and investigating novel phenomena on the microscale. He was a member of the Genome Instrumentation Panel, DOE, USA, and is currently a member of the Detection and Decontamination of Chemical & Biological Weapons Working Group of The Royal Society. Professor deMello has given over 120 invited lectures in the USA, Europe and Asia, has published 100 research papers in refereed journals, and co-authored a book. He currently sits on the Editorial Boards of Chemistry World and Imperial College Press. In 2002 he was awarded the SAC Silver Medal by the Royal Society of Chemistry for his contributions to the Analytical Sciences and in 2004 became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Professor deMello is also a co-founder and director of the Imperial College Spin-out company Molecular Vision Ltd.
 
Awards
  • SAC Silver Medal, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2002
  • Scientists for the New Century Finalist, The Royal Institute of Great Britain, 1999
  • Unilever Award for Physical Chemistry, University of London, 1991
  • Entrance Scholarship to Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, 1988
External Positions
  • Member, 2005. EPSRC Analytical Science Studentship Panel
  • Member, 2004 - 2005. Technical Program Committee, Transducers 05
  • Member, 2004 - Onwards. Editorial Board of Lab on a Chip
  • Member, 2003 - 2004. Chemical & Biological Weapons Working Group - The Royal Society
  • Member, 2003 - Onwards. Editorial Board of Chemistry World
  • Member, 2003 - Onwards. Advisory Board of Imperial College Press
  • Member, 2003 - Onwards. Editorial Board of Chemistry in Britain
  • Member, 2003. EPSRC Technologies for Crime Prevention and Detection Panel
  • Member, 2003. EPSRC Basic Technology Feasibility Panel
  • Co-Organiser and Chairman, 2002. Microfluidics 2002 IBC
  • Member, 2002. Editorial Board of Current Organic Synthesis
  • Co-organiser and Chairman, 2000. Microreactions in Chemistry & Biology (RSC)
  • Member, 1999 - 2000. Crime Prevention Panel, DTI, UK
  • Member, 1998. Genome Instrumentation Panel, DOE, Washington DC, USA
 
Membership of Professional Bodies
Royal Society of Chemistry, Fellow
 
Recent Publications
 
Journal Articles
  • Benninger, RKP, Hofmann, O, Onfelt, B, et al , Fluorescence-lifetime imaging of DNA-Dye interactions within continuous-flow microfluidic systems (vol 46, pg 8525, 2007), ANGEW CHEM INT EDIT, 2007, Vol: 46, Pages: 8536 - 8536, ISSN: 1433-7851
  • Benninger, RK, Hofmann, O, Onfelt, B, et al , Fluorescence-Lifetime Imaging of DNA-Dye Interactions within Continuous-Flow Microfluidic Systems., Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2007, Vol: 46, Pages: 8536 - 8536, ISSN: 1433-7851
  • Krishnadasan, S, Brown, RJ, deMello, AJ, et al , Intelligent routes to the controlled synthesis of nanoparticles., Lab Chip, 2007, Vol: 7, Pages: 1434 - 1441, ISSN: 1473-0197 [publication]
  • Srisa-Art, M, deMello, AJ, Edel, JB, High-throughput DNA droplet assays using picoliter reactor volumes, ANAL CHEM, 2007, Vol: 79, Pages: 6682 - 6689, ISSN: 0003-2700
  • Huang, J, Wang, X, deMello, AJ, et al , Efficient flexible polymer light emitting diodes with conducting polymer anodes, J MATER CHEM, 2007, Vol: 17, Pages: 3551 - 3554, ISSN: 0959-9428
  • Chansin, GA, Mulero, R, Hong, J, et al , Single-molecule spectroscopy using nanoporous membranes., Nano Lett, 2007, Vol: 7, Pages: 2901 - 2906, ISSN: 1530-6984 [publication]
  • de Mello, AJ, Edel, JB, Hydrodynamic focusing in microstructures: Improved detection efficiencies in subfemtoliter probe volumes, J APPL PHYS, 2007, Vol: 101, ISSN: 0021-8979
  • Huebner, A, Srisa-Art, M, Holt, D, et al , Quantitative detection of protein expression in single cells using droplet microfluidics., Chem Commun (Camb), 2007, Pages: 1218 - 1220, ISSN: 1359-7345 [publication]
  • Iles, A, Habgood, M, de Mello, AJ, et al , A Simple technique for microfluidic heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reactor fabrication, CATAL LETT, 2007, Vol: 114, Pages: 71 - 74, ISSN: 1011-372X
  • Edel, JB, Lahoud, P, Cass, AE, et al , Discrimination between single Escherichia coli cells using time-resolved confocal spectroscopy., J Phys Chem B, 2007, Vol: 111, Pages: 1129 - 1134, ISSN: 1520-6106 [publication]
  • Cottam, BF, Krishnadasan, S, Demello, AJ, et al , Accelerated synthesis of titanium oxide nanostructures using microfluidic chips., Lab Chip, 2007, Vol: 7, Pages: 167 - 169, ISSN: 1473-0197 [publication]
  • Shalom, D, Wootton, RCR, Winkle, RF, et al , Synthesis of thiol functionalized gold nanoparticles using a continuous flow microfluidic reactor, MATER LETT, 2007, Vol: 61, Pages: 1146 - 1150, ISSN: 0167-577X
  • Edel, JB, Demello, AJ, Interphoton burst recurrence times: Single cell analysis in freely flowing solutions, APPL PHYS LETT, 2007, Vol: 90, ISSN: 0003-6951
  • Amatatongchai, M, Hofmann, O, Nacapricha, D, et al , A microfluidic system for evaluation of antioxidant capacity based on a peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence assay., Anal Bioanal Chem, 2007, Vol: 387, Pages: 277 - 285, ISSN: 1618-2642 [publication]
  • Benninger, RK, Hofmann, O, Onfelt, B, et al , Fluorescence-lifetime imaging of DNA-dye interactions within continuous-flow microfluidic systems., Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2007, Vol: 46, Pages: 2228 - 2231, ISSN: 1433-7851 [publication]
  • Wang, X, Hofmann, O, Das, R, et al , Integrated thin-film polymer/fullerene photodetectors for on-chip microfluidic chemiluminescence detection., Lab Chip, 2007, Vol: 7, Pages: 58 - 63, ISSN: 1473-0197 [publication]
  • Huang, J, Xia, R, Kim, Y, et al , Pattern of organic devices by interlayer lithography, J MATER CHEM, 2007, Vol: 17, Pages: 1043 - 1049, ISSN: 0959-9428
  • Miller, PW, Long, NJ, de Mello, AJ, et al , Rapid multiphase carbonylation reactions by using a microtube reactor: applications in positron emission tomography 11C-radiolabeling., Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2007, Vol: 46, Pages: 2875 - 2878, ISSN: 1433-7851 [publication]
  • Brewer, PJ, Huang, J, Lane, PA, et al , Influence of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) in polymer LEDs, PHYS REV B, 2006, Vol: 74, ISSN: 1098-0121
  • Hofmann, O, Wang, X, Cornwell, A, et al , Monolithically integrated dye-doped PDMS long-pass filters for disposable on-chip fluorescence detection., Lab Chip, 2006, Vol: 6, Pages: 981 - 987, ISSN: 1473-0197 [publication]
  • DeMello, AJ, Control and detection of chemical reactions in microfluidic systems., Nature, 2006, Vol: 442, Pages: 394 - 402, ISSN: 1476-4687 [publication]
  • Brewer, PJ, deMello, AJ, deMello, JC, et al , Influence of carrier injection on the electromodulation response of trap-rich polymer light-emitting diodes, J APPL PHYS, 2006, Vol: 99, ISSN: 0021-8979
  • Benninger, RKP, Koc, Y, Hofmann, O, et al , Quantitative 3D mapping of fluidic temperatures within microchannel networks using fluorescence lifetime imaging, ANAL CHEM, 2006, Vol: 78, Pages: 2272 - 2278, ISSN: 0003-2700
  • Miller, PW, Long, NJ, de Mello, AJ, et al , Rapid formation of amides via carbonylative coupling reactions using a microfluidic device, CHEM COMMUN, 2006, Pages: 546 - 548, ISSN: 1359-7345
  • Wootton, RCR, deMello, AJ, A one-step protocol for the chemical derivatisation of glass microfluidic devices, LAB CHIP, 2006, Vol: 6, Pages: 471 - 473, ISSN: 1473-0197
  • Huang, J, Wang, X, Kim, Y, et al , High efficiency flexible ITO-free polymer/fullerene photodiodes, PHYS CHEM CHEM PHYS, 2006, Vol: 8, Pages: 3904 - 3908, ISSN: 1463-9076
  • Hofmann,O., Wang,X.H., Cornwell,A., et al , Monolithically integrated dye-doped PDMS long-pass filters for disposable on-chip fluorescence detectionMonolithically integrated dye-doped PDMS long-pass filters for disposable on-chip fluorescence detection, Lab on A Chip, 2006, Vol: 6, Pages: 981 - 987, ISSN: 1473-0197
  • Benninger, RKP, Hofmann, O, McGinty, J, et al , Time-resolved fluorescence imaging of solvent interactions in microfluidic devices, OPT EXPRESS, 2005, Vol: 13, Pages: 6275 - 6285, ISSN: 1094-4087
  • Hofmann, O, Miller, P, Sullivan, P, et al , Thin-film organic photodiodes as integrated detectors for microscale chemiluminescence assays, SENSOR ACTUAT B-CHEM, 2005, Vol: 106, Pages: 878 - 884, ISSN: 0925-4005
  • Brewer, PJ, Lane, PA, Huang, JS, et al , Role of electron injection in polyfluorene-based light emitting diodes containing PEDOT : PSS, PHYS REV B, 2005, Vol: 71, ISSN: 1098-0121
  • Iles, A, Fortt, R, de Mello, AJ, Thermal optimisation of the Reimer-Tiemann reaction using thermochromic liquid crystals on a microfluidic reactor., Lab Chip, 2005, Vol: 5, Pages: 540 - 544, ISSN: 1473-0197 [publication]
  • Huang, JS, Miller, PF, Wilson, JS, et al , Investigation of the effects of doping and post-deposition treatments on the conductivity, morphology, and work function of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (styrene sulfonate) films, ADV FUNCT MATER, 2005, Vol: 15, Pages: 290 - 296, ISSN: 1616-301X
  • Leung, SA, Winkle, RF, Wootton, RC, et al , A method for rapid reaction optimisation in continuous-flow microfluidic reactors using online Raman spectroscopic detection., Analyst, 2005, Vol: 130, Pages: 46 - 51, ISSN: 0003-2654 [publication]
  • Hofmann, O, Wang, XH, deMello, JC, et al , Towards microalbuminuria determination on a disposable diagnostic microchip with integrated fluorescence detection based on thin-film organic light emitting diodes, LAB CHIP, 2005, Vol: 5, Pages: 863 - 868, ISSN: 1473-0197
  • Cullen, CJ, Wootton, RCR, de Mello, AJ, Microfluidic systems for high-throughput and combinatorial chemistry, CURR OPIN DRUG DISC, 2004, Vol: 7, Pages: 798 - 806, ISSN: 1367-6733
  • Beard, NP, Edel, JB, deMello, AJ, Integrated on-chip derivatization and electrophoresis for the rapid analysis of biogenic amines, ELECTROPHORESIS, 2004, Vol: 25, Pages: 2363 - 2373, ISSN: 0173-0835
  • Brewer, PJ, Lane, PA, deMello, AJ, et al , Internal field screening in polymer light-emitting diodes, ADV FUNCT MATER, 2004, Vol: 14, Pages: 562 - 570, ISSN: 1616-301X
  • Wootton, RCR, deMello, AJ, Continuous laminar evaporation: micron-scale distillation, CHEM COMMUN, 2004, Pages: 266 - 267, ISSN: 1359-7345
  • Leung, SA, Edel, JB, Wootton, RCR, et al , Continuous real-time bubble monitoring in microchannels using refractive index detection, MEAS SCI TECHNOL, 2004, Vol: 15, Pages: 290 - 296, ISSN: 0957-0233
  • Brewer, PJ, Lane, PA, Bradley, DDC, et al , Field screening effects in polymer light emitting diodes, P SOC PHOTO-OPT INS, 2004, Vol: 5464, Pages: 10 - 17
  • Hofmann,O., de Mello,A.J., Integrated optical detectors for point-of-care diagnostics, GIT Laboratory Journal Europe, 2004, Vol: 8, Pages: 28 - 29, ISSN: 1434-2634
  • de Mello,J.C., de Mello,A.J., Microscale reactors: nanoscale products, Lab on A Chip, 2004, Vol: 4, Pages: 11N - 15N, ISSN: 1473-0197
  • Auroux,P.A., Koc,Y., de Mello,A.J., et al , Miniaturised nucleic acid analysis, Lab on A Chip, 2004, Vol: 4, Pages: 534 - 546, ISSN: 1473-0197
  • Krishnadasan, S, Tovilla, J, Vilar, R, et al , On-line analysis of CdSe nanoparticle formation in a continuous flow chip-based microreactor, J MATER CHEM, 2004, Vol: 14, Pages: 2655 - 2660, ISSN: 0959-9428
  • de Mello, AJ, Habgood, M, Lancaster, NL, et al , Precise temperature control in microfluidic devices using Joule heating of ionic liquids, LAB CHIP, 2004, Vol: 4, Pages: 417 - 419, ISSN: 1473-0197
  • Edel, JB, Beard, NP, Hofmann, O, et al , Thin-film polymer light emitting diodes as integrated excitation sources for microscale capillary electrophoresis, LAB CHIP, 2004, Vol: 4, Pages: 136 - 140, ISSN: 1473-0197
Chapter in Books
  • de Mello,A.J., Edel,J.B., Hill,E.K., Detection of single molecules in liquids, In: Guenther,B., Steel,D., editor, Encyclopedia of modern optics, Academic Press, 2004, Pages: 21 - 30, ISBN: 0-1222-7600-0
 Recent Conference Contributions
  • Wang, XH, Hofmann, O, Huang, JS, et al , Organic light emitting diodes and photodetectors: Towards applications in lab-on-a-chip portable devices - art. no. 60361O, Conference on BioMEMS and Nanotechnology II, 2006, Pages: O361 - O361
  • Leung, SA, Winkle, RF, Wootton, RCR, et al , A method for extremely rapid reaction optimisation using a continuous flow microreactor with on-line raman spectrometry, 8th International Conference on Miniiaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, 2005, Pages: 469 - 470
  • Hofmann,O., Miller,P., de Mello,J.C., et al , Integrated optical detection for microfluidic systems using thin-film polymer light emitting diodes and organic photodiodes, Micro total analysis systems 2004, proceedings of [Mu] TAS 2004 8th international conference on miniaturized systems for chemistry and life sciences, Malm", Sweden, 26 - 30 September 2004, In: Laurell,T., editor, Cambridge, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2004, Pages: 506 - 508
  • Mitchell,M.C., Spikmans,V., Bessoth,F., et al , Towards organic synthesis in microfluidic devices: multicomponent reactions for the construction of compound libraries, In: van den Berg,A., Olthius,W., Bergveld,P., editor, Micro Total Analysis Systems 2000, Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2000, Pages: 463 - 465, ISBN: 0-7923-6387-6
  • Eijkel,J.C.T., de Mello,A.J., Manz,A., A miniaturized total chemical analysis system: -TAS, In: Masuhara,H., Schryver,F.C.D., editor, Organic Mesoscopic Chemistry, Oxford, Blackwell Science, 1999, Pages: 185 - 219, ISBN: 0-63205125-6
  • de Mello,A.J., Manz,A., Chip Technology for Micro Separation, In: K"hler,J.M., Mejevaia,T., Saluz,H.P., editor, Microsystem Technology: A Powerful Tool for Biomolecular Studies, Basel, Boston, Birkh"user, 1999, Pages: 129 - 177
  • Davies,J., de Mello,A.J., Fisher,L., Surface analytical techniques for probing biomaterial surfaces, Boca Raton, CRC Press, 1996, ISBN: 0-8493-8352-8