10.00 am

Chemistry Department Room G11

Benedict Hazel (Chemistry),

Arranged by:

Dr A Meijer

Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Seminar

5.30 pm

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

A magical mystery tour about the colour mauve, some facts and figures and a few fun demonstrations

2.00 pm

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Application of Terahertz and Far-Infrared Spectroscopy to the Study of Polypeptide Structures

The region of the electromagnetic spectrum between 0.1 THz (3cm-1) and 20 THz (670cm-1) has been neglected for the study of polypeptide structures owing to a combination of technical problems. Recent advances have overcome many of these obstacles. Our work using Terahertz time domain spectroscopy and far-infrared spectroscopy indicates that there is a wealth of information to be gleaned on peptide and protein secondary structure, quaternary structure, and solvation shells using this part of the spectrum.

Dr Robert Falconer

(Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield)

Arranged by: -

Prof Chris Hunter

12.00 noon

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 6

Probing the nanostructure of polymer-fullerene solar cells

Blends of certain conjugated polymers and functionalised fullerenes have been shown to act as light harvesting and charge-transporting layers in bulk-heterojunction solar cells. The operational efficiency of such materials is critically dependent on the self-assembled nanostructure which forms in such materials, as this can affect processes such as optical absorption, charge-generation and charge extraction. In this talk, I consider two photovoltaic material systems consisting of the polymer P3HT or PCDTBT with the fullerene acceptor PCBM. I describe experiments to evidence processes such as crystallization, volume relaxation and phase-separation (in P3HT:PCBM blends) during film casting and thermal annealing, as well as the formation of vertical stratification in P3HT:PCBM and PCDTBT:PCBM photovoltaic devices. Wherever possible, I will try to explain how such processes impact on device efficiency.

Prof. David Lidzey

(Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield)

Arranged by: -

Prof Steve Armes

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Beating the diffraction limit

Step changes in imaging technologies have often been precursors to advances in the biological sciences. Until recently the diffraction limit was a restriction on microscopes, allowing only structures on the order of cell lengths to be investigated. In this talk I will present several techniques being developed at Sheffield which allow imaging at resolution greater than those imposed by the diffraction limit. I will explain how they beat the diffraction limit and show examples of how they have solved problems in polymer and biological science.

Dr Ashley Cadby

(Dept of Physics, University of Sheffield)

Arranged by: -

Dr Patrick Fairclough

17.30 - 18.30

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Pretty, Pretty, Bang, Bang,

For many years people have been enjoying fireworks on guy Fawkes night but have never really appreciated the complexity of fireworks. This lecture will introduce the topic of fireworks and cover areas such as the production of colour, light and sound. During the lecture there will be many demonstrations illustrating the principles of fireworks. There will be many bangs, whistles, and small explotsions not to mention the shower of sparks. The future of fireworks will be covered.

From single-cell biotechnology towards synthetic biology
Synthetic biology aims to reprogram cells to carry out novel tasks by modifying their software (e.g. nucleic acids, DNA/RNA) and hardware (e.g. ribosome, RNA polymerase). Novel bio-bricks for constructing and debugging the output of engineered gene networks are required. The >99% of natural microorganisms that are unculturable harbour novel DNA encoded to new genes that can be used for biofuels, antibiotics, anti-cancer, anti-viral drugs and special biocatalysts. Here I will review single cell-biotechnologies in the context of synthetic biology, and specifically a Raman single cell sorting technology, which we have applied to dissect a complex microbial community.

Dr Wei Huang

(Kroto Research Institute,

University of Sheffield)

Arranged by: -

Prof Patrick Fowler

Experimenting with Danger

Following three very serious accidents that occurred in US university chemical laboratories, the US Chemical Safety Board produced a report in the form of a video. Although safety legislation and practices differ between the UK and the US, this report provides important lessons on safety for anyone working or managing work within a research laboratory. We will view the report and then have a short discussion on the implications for our working practices in Sheffield. All students and staff working within research laboratories are encouraged to attend and input to the discussion.

12 noon, Chemistry Lecture Theatre 6

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 6

From carbenes to modified surfaces and designer materials :
a case study of synthetic chemistry, innovation and commercialisation

This lecture describes the development of diaryldiazomethanes as carbene precursors suitable for reaction at material surfaces, and the detailed characterisation of the molecular and macroscopic properties of the resulting modified surfaces. Application of the concept for the introduction of antibacterial, adhesive, photochromic, metal chelation and chromophoric properties will be described, along with efforts to commercialise this technology

Dr Mark Moloney

Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Arranged by: -

Prof Iain Coldham

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

New Perspectives on Molecular Structure and Dynamics from Broadband Rotational Spectroscopy"
My research applies microwave spectroscopy to establish fundamental details of molecular structure and dynamics significant across many areas of chemistry and biology. This work exploits the unique capabilities of a chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectrometer recently constructed at Bristol. I will present the results of experiments that allow structural characterisation of the complexes formed by CF3I with NH3, H2O, H2S and CO respectively. These have provided insight into halogen bonding interactions that govern self-assembly of iodoperfluoroalkane building blocks into crystal structures.

Dr. Nicholas Walker

School of Chemistry, University of Bristol

Arranged by: -

Dr Michael Hippler

17.30 - 18.30

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Sex, Flies and Sticky Tape

How do you chat up a moth? Do bees only say "Buzz"? Parlez vous ant-speak?

If you have ever wanted to talk to insects then this is your chance to learn their lingo. Plus can pheromones get you out of that awkward "asking her out moment"? Come prepared for the nasal experience of a lifetime.

Chemsitry Lecture Theatre 6

Polymers in Cultural Heritage - Boon or Nightmare?
Artists and crafts-people have always been leading-edge adopters of new technology and polymers have been no exception. From the earliest developments in rubber chemistry through to the most modern of materials, painters and sculptors have been eager to adapt new materials and processes to create new art. Until very recently this has mostly been done without any real consideration of the long-term stability of these new materials, with the result that museums and private collections are full of valuable works which are deteriorating at alarming rates. At the same time, polymer science is providing the conservator with an armoury of materials for cleaning, and conserving our cultural heritage. This talk will review some of the problems faced by conservators of polymer-based artefacts and some of the solutions which modern polymer chemistry is providing.

Prof Norman Billingham

University of Sussex

Arranged by: -

Prof Steve Armes