The Yaliraki group is interested in the emergent properties of self-assembling systems in confined environments. Examples from biology include the mechanisms of fibril and viral capsid formations. Another area of interest is the electronic properties of molecular scale junctions. A unifying theme of our work is how geometry and topology affect the dynamics of systems at different scales. Emphasis is on coarse-graining and system reduction approaches.
Professor Mary ryan's current research is in the area of applied electrochemistry and corrosion, with a focus on deposition of nanostructures and the study of self-forming nanocrystalline oxides; as well as fundamental work on degradation and stability of metal systems.
Professor Riley’s research activity concerns the preparation, characterisation and applications of nanomaterials. Colloid chemistry, anodization and templated deposition are employed to obtain materials of defined dimension. The as-prepared particles are characterised and then deposited on substrates to yield surface coatings with well defined architecture. The electrochemistry and photoelectrochemistry of electrodes modified using such techniques are investigated.
Dr McLachlan's research is the synthesis of three dimensionally periodic macroporous solids, specifically a class of materials referred to as synthetic opals. These materials posses a periodic arrangement of pores on a length scale which can be controllably altered from tens to hundreds of nanometres.
Professor Horsfield's research focuses on electrons that are out of equilibrium. There are several active projects at the moment. A long standing one is to understand structural materials for hydrogen fusion power plants: the electrons are taken out of equilibrium by fast particles that collide with the walls. A major focus at the moment is the aqueous corrosion of metals. This includes the atomistic simulation of reactions at electrodes under a bias.
Professor Sandrine Heutz’ research interests focus on functional molecular materials for sustainable and efficient technologies. In particular, she is interested in exploiting the electron charge and spin for new computing methodologies. She runs an interdisciplinary group that tackles growth of thin films and nanostructures, advanced characterisation and device applications.
Professor Haynes's group develop and apply new computational methods appropriate for performing accurate first-principles quantum-mechanical simulations of nanomaterials, mostly within the ONETEP code [www.onetep.org]. In particular they are interested in methods to calculate electronic excitations of molecules and nanocrystals in solution. Recent highlights include: 1. Unravelling the Roles of Size, Ligands, and Pressure in the Piezochromic Properties of CdS Nanocrystals, Corsini NRC et al., Nano Lett. 17, 1042 (2017) [doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b04461 ] 2.
Professor Haque is a Reader in Materials Chemistry in Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London. He is a physical chemist with a particular interest in nanomaterials, molecular electronic materials and photochemistry. His group's research activities include the function and development of solar cells based upon liquid processable hybrid inorganic / organic semiconducting materials and all-inorganic structures.
Professor Durrant's group expertise is focused around photochemistry and physical chemistry. However their research is very much interdisciplinary, with expertise in the group ranging from inorganic materials synthesis and photoelectrochemistry to device physics.