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

8/02/12

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Dr Michael Willis
(Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford)

New Reactivity and Selectivity Using Rhodium and Palladium Catalysis

Transition metal catalysis allows new reactivity patterns to be discovered, hopefully leading to the development of new synthetically useful transformations. With a basic transformation in place the catalysts can then be used to control regio-, diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The talk will focus on how we have developed a class of reactions – alkene and alkyne hydroacylation – from ‘simple’ reactivity, through to aspects of regio- and enantiocontrol. Mechanistic studies and applications of the chemistry to heterocycle synthesis will also be discussed. Early studies on the use of SO2 in catalysis will also be presented.

 Thursday 16/02/12

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

 Dr Andrew Plant
(Syngenta)

Challenges and Opportunities for Crop Protection Chemistry in the 21st Century

The world population is estimated to reach 9 billion in 2050 and food security is a major issue for the world's governments. Chemists play a key role in the invention and manufacture of new crop protection chemicals and this presentation will provide an overview of their activities.

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Prof Giuseppe Battaglia
(Synthetic Biology, BMS, University of Sheffield)

Nano-structured biomaterials via interface engineering
One of the most important classes of synthetic systems for creating self-assembled nanostructures is amphiphilic block copolymers. By controlling the architecture of individual molecules, it is possible to generate nanostructures in an undiluted melt or in solution, tunable over a broad variety of morphologies, ranging from discrete micelles and vesicles to continuous network structures. Their synthetic nature allows the design of interfaces with different chemical functional groups and geometrical properties. Such effective control is extremely beneficial for designing materials that have to interact with biological systems. I will be discussing how block copolymers can be used for the design of nanoscopic vectors that cross different biological barriers from thick tissue to the cell interior to deliver therapeutic agents and diagnostic probes. I will also show how block copolymers can be used to design functional interfaces for polymeric scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering

 

01/03/12

12:00 Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

 Professor Philip A Gale

University of Southampton

New anion transporters

Our work on new neutral anion receptors has allowed us to synthesise a range of structurally simple selective receptors that employ hydrogen bonds to complex anionic species. In applying these systems as lipid bilayer membrane tranport agents it was not always clear why some compounds that are excellent receptors are poor transporters and yet other compounds with more modest anion affinities display excellent transport properties. For example, even very simple thiourea-based compounds are effective transporters at low concentrations. In this presentation, we will explore the factors required for efficient transmembrane transport and also look at the application of anion transporters as anti-cancer agents.

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Adventures at the interface of Chemistry and Biology
Research in the Westwood group focuses on the development and use of high level synthetic organic chemistry to enable the preparations of compounds of biological relevance. These compounds are then used to study interesting biological problems either within the group or through collaborations. This talk will highlight recent examples of this approach.

 Wednesday 21/03/12

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

 Dr. Philipp Kukura
(Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford)

New frontiers in ultrafast and single molecule optics
Recent developments in the application of laser-based techniques to directly visualisation of dynamic processes on vastly different time and size scales in chemistry and biology will be presented. In the first part, I will focus on combined experimental and theoretical efforts based on ultrafast spectroscopy to reveal atomic motion on its intrinsic, femtosecond, time scale. Specifically, I will discuss the structural changes during the primary step in vision, the 11-cis to trans isomerization of the retinal chromophore in the visual pigment rhodopsin, and its implications for rhodopsin reactivity and efficient photochemistry. In the second part, I will introduce a novel microscopic imaging technique based on interferometric scattering (iSCAT) and illustrate its use for high-speed, 3D nanometric tracking. Recent results on nanoscopic motion of individual virions diffusing on artificial membranes and the first detection and imaging of single molecules in absorption will be discussed.

 Dr Julia Weinstein

 Research Cluster Seminar

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Structure of the dynein motor domain

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

Light Relief: Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

16/05/12

Chemistry Lecture Theatre 1

It is quite a paradox that several gases that we normally think of as extremely toxic are in fact vital in mammalian biology (in the right amounts). Nitric oxide (NO) is the most well-known of these gases – the discovery of its activity in the cardiovascular system led to the Nobel Prize for Medicine and an explosion of research in NO biology and chemistry. Recent research has, however, shown that other ‘toxic’ gases also have tremendous potential for use in therapeutic applications. In all cases the toxicity of the gas places great constraints on how the gases can be delivered, especially if any therapies are to be applied outside the clinic. One method of developing suitable therapies is to devise methods by which the gases can be safely stored in porous solids that deliver the gas only when required and only in safe amounts. In this presentation I will explain how we are using both zeolites and metal organic frameworks as adsorbents and storage materials for several gases, including NO, and how we are characterising the materials to understand how the gases adsorb and are released. I will also present some of our applications data, including examples of experiments done on human subjects in a clinical setting, and also how careful control of the chemistry of the material, particularly metal organic frameworks, can lead to very interesting effects that may be utilised to have great control over how the gas interacts with the material, and how it can be utilised.