Chemistry and Forensics research
Our research has applications across the pharmaceutical, agricultural and manufacturing industries and in healthcare, as well as informing standards of practice in teaching, policing and conservation. At the heart of all we do is the need to perform research in a sustainable manner.
Overview
Research contact: Professor Carole Perry
Staff in the Department of Chemistry and Forensics undertake research on a diverse range of topics within the key areas of Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry, Forensic Science, Heritage Science, Materials Chemistry, Pedagogy, Synthetic Chemistry and Theoretical and Computational Chemistry.
Our research has applications across the pharmaceutical, agricultural and manufacturing industries and in healthcare, heritage and the environment. We inform standards of practice in teaching, policing and conservation.
We are engaged with several interdisciplinary groups within the School of Science and Technology, advancing knowledge and practice. Most colleagues have national and international collaborators in academia and industry and are open for supervision of research degrees in the areas listed.
Research areas
Our research is focused into seven main areas, you can read about each in more detail below:
- Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry
- Computational and Theoretical Chemistry
- Forensic Science
- Heritage Science
- Materials Chemistry
- Pedagogy
- Synthetic Chemistry
Research areas
Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry
Analytical and Sustainable Chemistry at NTU includes both theoretical and applied research in areas such as the development of sustainable practices including monitoring, analytical toxicology, biomedical diagnostics and environmental analysis. We have excellent instrumentation resources and expertise.
- Dr Cheuk-Wing Li’s research focuses on using microfluidics to develop separation methods, including those based on capillary electrophoresis.
- Dr Anna Vikulina’s group develop analytical techniques for biomaterial characterisation and biomedical diagnostics.
- Dr Darren Lee’s research broadly focuses on developing green and sustainable chemical processes that reduce waste streams, solvent usage and circumvent the use of toxic or wasteful reagents. These goals are achieved by utilising a combination of strategies: 1) Using enabling technologies, such as electrochemistry, photochemistry, continuous flow and novel reactor design; 2) Developing methodologies that utilise sustainable feedstocks (such as biomass derived molecules) and abundant waste streams (such as CO2); 3) Integrating reactions and processes to minimise waste streams and maximise process efficiency.
- Dr Muhammad Zaheer’s research focuses on the discovery, development and characterization of advanced catalytic materials for biomass valorization, CO2 capture and utilization and green hydrogen production.
- Chinyere Williams has research interests in LCMS methods for high throughput toxicological analysis.
- Dr Mike Coffey has research interests in environmental pollution and monitoring with specific interest in the pollution of natural waters.
Contacts for the Analytical Chemistry group
Dr Mike Coffey, Dr Wing Li, Dr Anna Vukulina, Dr Darren Lee, Dr Muhammad Zaheer and Ms. Chinyere Williams.
We also have Analytical Colleagues aligned to Forensic Science: Dr Muriel Funck.
Computational and Theoretical Chemistry
The research of the Computational and Theoretical Chemistry group focuses on the development of novel theoretical approaches which are applied across a wide range of areas of chemistry, including MOFs, lipid membrane bilayers and characterisation of synthetic pathways. The group aligns with both A03 and B12.
- Prof Carole Perry's research interests are in the in-silico modelling of biomolecules at interfaces. She uses simulation data to calculate spectra (e.g. CD, FTIR and Raman) and determine binding energies for comparison with experimental data in systems as diverse as red blood cells, hollow macroscopic tubes and light sensitive switching molecules.
- Dr Warren Cross's research involves the modelling of chemical reactions, especially organic chemistry transformations involving transition metal catalysis.
- Dr David Robinson's research is in the development and application of novel approaches to understanding electronically excited states of biologically relevant chromophores and fluorophores and how they can be used as probes of lipid membrane composition and phase detection in membranes.
- Dr Matt Addicoat's research is in the development and application of computational approaches to determine the structure and properties of combinatorially complex materials, in particular molecular framework materials (such as Metal Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks) and ionic liquids.
Contacts for the Computational and Theoretical Chemistry group
Dr David Robinson, Dr Matt Addicoat, Prof Carole Perry, Dr Warren Cross.
Forensic Science
The Forensic Science group works in close partnership with police forces in the UK and internationally to help solve targeted forensic questions and enhance both investigative and evaluative outcomes for the benefit of the courts. Examples include, predicting where a body that falls into a river will surface and using machine learning to establish whether the same gun was used in multiple shootings. They make use of a range of analytical techniques and surveying methods to locate mass graves, identify individuals, detect unknown substances and characterise potentially harmful products such as infant milk and drugs. The group is also involved with the desk-based review of national and international cold cases in collaboration with Locate International and the German Prosecutor’s Office.
- Dr Rachel Bolton-King’s research centres around the use and development of new technologies and non-destructive analytical approaches to investigate firearm-related crime in contemporary and historic contexts.
- Dr Jay Silverstein's research focuses on forensic bioarchaeology as applied to ancient and contemporary contexts. He applies methods including GIS and Remote Sensing, Geophysical Survey, and 3D Modelling to study and record sites of historical and forensic interest.
- Dr A.J. Fitzpatrick’s research combines switchable molecules, coordination chemistry and ionic liquids for synergetic applications in Forensic Science. Materials are currently being developed for latent fingerprint detection, document security, and illicit drug presumptive testing.
- Dr Muriel Funck’s group analyses forensic evidence as well as developing greener syntheses of novel materials with forensic applications.
- Chinereye Williams provides expert consultation for human performance and post-mortem toxicological casework. Research interests include metabolic profiles in geriatric populations; green method development and validation techniques for high throughput toxicological investigations.
- Dr Ryan Austin’s specialist consultancy is the analysis of skeletal remains as a certified forensic anthropologist (FA-III) for identification purposes. His research focusses on the use of isotope analysis as a tool for human provenance.
- Robyn Adams is a Forensic DNA expert working on projects relating to trace DNA and body fluid detection alongside group representation in Forensic Science
- Emma Rixon has worked in areas of glove mark and footwear mark analysis and recovery.
Contacts for the Forensic Science group
Dr Rachel Bolton-King, Dr Jay Silverstein and Dr A.J. Fitzpatrick.
Heritage Science
- Dr Jay Silverstein applies the latest archaeological technologies to the study of the ancient Egyptian-Graeco-Roman city of Thmouis. His research is driven in large part by various discoveries including the reconstruction of ancient perfumes, analysis of a destruction layer and unburied remains associated with the rebellion discussed on the Rosetta Stone, iconoclasm and the Christianisation of Egypt, and experimental methods in mudbrick reconstruction.
- Dr Ryan Austin’s research focusses on the use of isotope analysis applied to objects, materials and skeletal remains to answer questions on place.
Contacts for the Heritage Science group
Materials Chemistry
Materials Chemistry at NTU includes both theoretical and applied research in areas such as electronic and photonic materials, bio-functional/derived and inspired materials, filler enhanced nanocomposites and multi-functional materials synthesis and properties.
- Research in the group headed by Professor Carole Perry takes inspiration from nature (biomimetics) in the synthesis of materials and in their study of the biomolecular-material interface. They are developing materials for use in bone repair and the study of cancer. They are active in the valorisation of materials from food waste and using fungal mycelia as a source of biological polymers including chitosan for functional materials creation.
- Research in the group headed by Dr Lee Martin focusses on the synthesis of multifunctional materials which possess two or more physical properties in the same lattice with the aim of observing synergy between the properties. These materials exhibit properties which have the potential for application in a number of industries such as sensors, data storage, electroluminescent displays and information technology
- Research activities in the group headed by Dr Dmitry Volodkin focus on design of advanced stimuli-responsive 2D and 3D biomaterials for applications in drug delivery/testing, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as well as other relevant applications where protection, localization in a confined space, and controlled release on demand are required.
- Dr Emma Smith's research is in material and surface science, focussing on the production of sustainable, functional coatings and characterising their electrochemical, physical and mechanical properties. She is particularly interested in applying this research to produce antimicrobial coatings for the healthcare industry.
- Dr Valeria Puddu's research interest is in the design of photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation and solar technologies, with a focus on the study of physicochemical and interfacial properties and how they affect materials performance.
- Dr. Fengge Gao's Group is focused on filler enhanced polymer nanocomposites for property enhancement and function creation. These properties include mechanical properties, barrier resistance, fire retardancy, dielectric behaviour, antimicrobial properties, stress sensitive materials, electric and thermal conduction, thermal resistant ultra-light weight materials.
- Dr Gareth Cave’s group is active in three interlinked areas: supramolecular chemistry, transport vehicles and green chemistry. They have links with a number of industrial partners for their development of novel nanoparticle carriers.
- Dr Anna Vikulina’s group develop advanced sustainable materials for (bio)analytical applications and sensors.
Contacts for the Materials Chemistry group
Prof Carole Perry, Dr Fengge Gao, Dr Valeria Puddu, Dr Emma Smith, Dr Gareth Cave, Dr Lee Martin, Dr Dmitry Volodkin.
Pedagogy
The Pedagogy group develop resources and innovative approaches for effective learning.
- Dr Mike Coffey is currently specialising in games-based learning and teaching sustainability in higher education.
- Fiona Whittaker has interests in using forensic casework examples to teach work-like learning in forensic biology as well as practice relating to the transition of students into University.
- Dr Rachel Bolton-King is exploring machine learning in forensic science for societal impact.
- Dr Muriel Funck has interests in active collaborative learning and the use of technology to enhance learning experiences.
- Robyn Adams has interests in contextualisation of laboratory work to improve accessibility as well as exploring representation within forensic science literature.
- Dr Karen Moss (emeritus) and her group look at the impact of technology on learning in general and labs in particular, threshold concepts in science and responsible research and innovation (RRI).
Contacts for the Pedagogy group
Synthetic Chemistry
Synthetic Chemistry research at NTU ranges from the design of fundamental new molecules in order to study their properties, to the development of improved drugs, catalysts and building blocks for functional materials. We pursue new methodologies for the synthesis of organic, inorganic and organometallic molecules. There is substantial crossover with the materials science group, with novel materials being targeted using a bottom up approach; we also have significant interactions at the biological interface.
- The Antonchick group led by Dr Andrey Antonchick concentrates on the synthesis of small molecules and their applications. We focus on developing new innovative chemical reaction methodologies. Currently, the group's main focus is on the development of sustainable metal-free reactions using nitrosonium ions and hypervalent iodine chemistry. In addition, the group is developing new approaches to the asymmetric synthesis of target compounds.
- The group led by Dr Sophie Benjamin aims to create, explore and exploit new inorganic molecules, from the study of fundamental bonding to the design of new catalysts and antimicrobial agents, with a focus on the heavier elements of the p-block.
- Research in the group led by Dr Warren Cross focuses on the invention and development of new methods for organic synthesis, with particular emphasis on metal-catalysed C-H activation reactions. They are developing new methods for late-stage C-H functionalization, especially the post-synthetic modification of peptides.
- The group led by Professor John Wallis (emeritus) explores the synthesis of new organosulfur based conducting materials (including chiral ones), X-ray crystal structures of molecules with partially formed bonds, and the synthesis of biologically active molecules, in particular agents against cancer metastasis.
- Dr Chris Garner performs research broadly under the umbrella of organic synthetic chemistry and interests include P-chirogenic phosphorus chemistry and the directed fluorescent labelling of protein targets of biologically active molecules.
- The research group led by Dr Gareth Cave are developing routes to novel materials for use at the physical-life sciences interface.
Contacts for the Synthetic Chemistry group
Dr Andrey Antonchick, Dr Sophie Benjamin, Dr Warren Cross, Professor John Wallis, Dr Chris Garner, Dr Gareth Cave.
The Nottingham BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme
You can apply for the Nottingham BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme as a training partnership with University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC).