Research

Chemistry is the central science and our research covers all aspects of chemistry, as well as the interfaces with biology, materials science, medicine, and physics. Chemistry research contributes to solutions to the grant societal challenges such as manufacturing of the future, providing energy in a changing world, and healthcare technologies. Our school is expert at designing new catalysts for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry while using advanced molecular technologies to create self-fabricating materials. The latest laser technology is used to find novel ways of controlling matter and study materials used in energy storage while our researchers are hard at work creating new molecular devices to harvest the light of the sun, supporting the hydrogen economy, and protect our environment. In our labs, we dream up and synthesise new molecules that are used as programmable drugs and medical imaging labels while attempting to make life from inorganic matter.

Through our collaboration with WestCHEM (with Strathclyde), ScotCHEM (all Scottish chemistry departments), and a range of outstanding international universities, we are able to attract the best students and postdoctoral researchers to work on internationally leading research. Our research groupings are:

• Catalysis & Synthesis
• Chemical Biology, Molecular Medicine, Synthetic Biology
• Complex Chemical Systems
• Dynamics and structure (physical chemistry)
• Nanoscience & Materials Chemistry

This research produces fundamental new scientific insights while contributing directly to the UK economy ad producing top-notch chemical scientists who find employment in industry and academia.