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Charl FJ Faul is a Professor of Materials Chemistry and Associate Pro Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement) at the University of Bristol’s Faculty of Science. He leads the Faul Research Group, focusing on functional materials for sustainable energy and soft robotics, including conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) for CO2 conversion, electroactive materials, and 3D-printed soft actuators. His roles include academic leadership, global engagement initiatives, and research collaboration across institutions like Kyoto University and Tsinghua University. Education: B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Stellenbosch). Research emphasizes scalable CMP synthesis, bio-adhesives, and materials for mobility assistance. Collaborates on projects like the £14M EPSRC-funded VIVO Hub for Enhanced Independent Living. Advises over 15 students, including recent PhD graduates Dr Helal Alharbi and Dr Yubing Wang. Research outputs span 2025-2023, highlighting advancements in hydrogen storage, CO2 capture, and soft robotic actuators. The group actively publishes in journals like Small and Journal of Materials Chemistry A . Grants include EPSRC funding for VIVO Hub and Innovate UK support for conductive composites.

• Materials Chemistry
• Functional Materials
• Conjugated Microporous Polymers
• +6 more

Niklas Hedin is a Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at Stockholm University . His research group specializes in developing advanced materials for environmental and energy applications, with a particular focus on CO₂ capture technologies , green material synthesis , and biochar-based solutions for pollution mitigation and sustainable resource utilization. Professor at Department of Chemistry Head of Department Stockholm University affiliation The research spans from fundamental molecular spectroscopy studies to industrial-scale applications . Key projects include the use of activated limestone for Baltic Sea eutrophication control, colloidal porous liquids for energy-efficient carbon capture, and engineered biochars for dual environmental remediation and agricultural applications. Recent publications highlight 2025 breakthroughs in aminated cellulose aerogels , graphene oxide composites for direct air capture , and ultrasound-assisted hydrogen peroxide synthesis . These works demonstrate Hedin's commitment to multiscale material engineering combining experimental validation with computational modeling. The group includes several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers working on specialized aspects of material synthesis and environmental application. His team actively collaborates with industrial partners and government agencies to translate laboratory findings into real-world solutions for sustainable chemistry and climate change mitigation .

• Green material synthesis
• Materials for Energy
• Materials for Environment
• +5 more

Andrew I. Cooper is a Professor at the University of Liverpool, Director of the Materials Innovation Factory, and Honorary Professor at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). He pioneers research in advanced organic functional materials, including conjugated microporous polymers, porous organic cages, and porous liquids, and developed the first autonomous mobile robotic chemist. Fields of Interest: Materials chemistry, robotics, AI-driven synthesis, and computational design of functional materials. Scientific Impact: Over 200 SCI-indexed papers, 52,000+ citations, H-index 117. Key journals: Nature , Science , JACS , Angewandte Chemie . Awards: Royal Society of Chemistry Professorship, Outstanding AI Leader award, Fellow of the Royal Society and European Academy of Sciences. Leadership: Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Science , trained 47 Chinese postdoctoral fellows and PhD students, and leads international collaborations with Chinese universities. Research Trends: Articles focus on robotics, AI, computational materials design, photocatalysis, and dynamic porosity in molecular systems.

• Advanced organic functional materials
• Conjugated microporous polymers
• Porous organic cages
• +5 more

Catherine Aitchison is an Assistant Professor and group leader of the Functional Pi Materials Group at Linköping University's Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE), affiliated with the Department of Science and Technology (ITN). Her research focuses on developing conjugated organic molecules and polymers for clean energy technologies, including solar fuels, photovoltaics, and membranes. Education: BSc and MSci in Natural Sciences (University of Cambridge, 2015-2016), PhD in Chemistry (University of Liverpool, 2020). Postdoctoral research at the University of Oxford (2020-2024) with Prof. Iain McCulloch, focusing on organic photovoltaics and photocatalysis. Research interests include structure-activity relationships in organic semiconductors, self-assembled materials, and applications in energy conversion/storage. Her group emphasizes organic chemistry's flexibility to tune material properties for real-world applications. Labs/Teams: Functional Pi Materials Group (LOE), collaborating on projects like CO₂ photoreduction and polymer heterojunctions. Active in advancing organic electronics and sustainable energy solutions.

• Organic Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Photocatalysis
• +3 more

John J. Lavigne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of South Carolina, affiliated with the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as the Building Facilities Coordinator. His research focuses on molecular recognition, supramolecular chemistry, and the development of sensors and materials for applications in cancer diagnostics, food spoilage detection, and energy storage. Lavigne holds a B.S. (1993), M.Ed. (1997) from St. Lawrence University, and a Ph.D. (2000) from the University of Texas at Austin. His research interests include boronate-linked materials, conjugated polymers, and synthetic lectins. He has mentored numerous graduate and undergraduate students, leading to patents and impactful publications. Lavigne has received awards such as the Mortar Board Excellence in Teaching Award (2012) and the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award (2009). His grants include support from the NIH, NSF, and the Research Corporation. Education: B.S., Chemistry, St. Lawrence University, 1993 M.Ed., General Education, St. Lawrence University, 1997 Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 2000 His work spans the design of self-assembling materials, sensors for biomedical and environmental applications, and collaborations with engineering and medical fields. Notable projects include synthetic lectins for cancer diagnostics and boronate-based polymers with self-repairing capabilities. Grants & Awards: NIH COBRE Center (Colon Cancer Diagnostics), NSF (Boronate-Linked Materials), and multiple teaching awards. His research has been supported by the American Chemical Society, South Carolina EPSCoR, and others. Labs & Teams: Lavigne’s lab focuses on interdisciplinary projects, combining organic synthesis, materials science, and analytical methods. Collaborations include work on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and peptide-based sensors.

• Molecular recognition
• Supramolecular chemistry
• Sensors
• +7 more

Filipe Vilela is an Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University, affiliated with the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences and the Institute of Chemical Sciences. His research focuses on designing 3D conjugated polymers for heterogeneous photocatalysis, including conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) and PolyHIPEs for applications in solar energy conversion and sustainable chemistry. He holds a PhD from the University of Strathclyde (2007) and has held positions at the Max Planck Institute and the University of Strathclyde before joining Heriot-Watt in 2013. Education: BSc (2002) from University of Lisbon, PhD (2007) from University of Strathclyde under Prof. David Sherrington, with postdoctoral training at Strathclyde (2007-2010) and Max Planck Institute (2011-2013). Research interests span photocatalytic materials, conjugated porous polymers, flow chemistry, and sustainable energy solutions. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy (SDG7) and climate action (SDG13). Notable achievements include developing PolyHIPE-based photocatalysts and advancing continuous polymer analysis. Recent articles highlight advancements in biodegradable polyester degradation, flow chemistry catalysis, and photochemical reaction design. His lab (vilelaLAB) focuses on translating materials science into practical applications. Supervised 5 postdoctoral researchers at MPI and maintains active collaborations globally.

• Conjugated Polymers
• Photocatalysis
• Organic Electronics
• +4 more

Sui Zhang leads a research group focused on membrane science and technology, addressing challenges in water, energy, and sustainability. Their work emphasizes engineering membrane transport pathways at molecular, nano, and micro-scales, with a focus on nanoporous materials such as graphene, 2D laminar membranes, and polymers. Key research areas include antifouling surface engineering, high-efficiency separations, and applications in gas separation and organic solvent nanofiltration. Collaborations leverage machine learning to accelerate material design and membrane fabrication. Their technology for high-flux, antifouling membranes has been licensed for commercialization, highlighting practical industrial impact. The group actively collaborates globally, with members including postdoctoral researchers and advanced students in materials science and chemical engineering. Research Interests: Design of nanoporous membranes for CO2 capture, gas separation, and water treatment Surface engineering for fouling resistance and enhanced permeability Integration of machine learning in materials discovery Development of sustainable synthesis methods for eco-friendly membranes Recent advances include licensed antifouling membrane technology and breakthroughs in MOF-based composite membranes for hydrogen purification. The team’s patent (WO2020076240) underscores commercial viability. Advising spans interdisciplinary projects with 10+ active researchers, and grants focus on advancing membrane-based solutions for environmental and energy challenges.

• Membrane Science and Technology
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Engineering
• +5 more

Esma Sezer is a Professor in the Chemistry Department at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Science and Letters. With an extensive publication record spanning from 1996 to 2026 (77 research outputs), she maintains an active research program in polymer chemistry and materials science. Her work is primarily centered at the university's Ayazağa Campus in Istanbul. Professor Sezer's research focuses on conductive polymers, with particular expertise in electropolymerization, energy storage materials, and corrosion inhibition. Her fingerprint analysis reveals dominant work in thiophene-based systems (100%), copolymerization techniques (99%), polycarbazole synthesis (88%), thin film materials (78%), and electropolymerization processes (75%). She has developed significant expertise in creating smart materials for dual electrochromic-energy storage applications. Her recent publications (2022-2026) demonstrate a clear trajectory toward advanced energy storage solutions, particularly bifunctional electrochromic-supercapacitor devices using thienothiophene, triphenylamine, and dithienothiophene polymer systems. The work spans from fundamental polymer synthesis to applied nanocomposite development for corrosion protection and energy applications. Professor Sezer has successfully led six major research projects as Principal Investigator, including recent work on conductive polymer-carbon nanocomposites for energy storage (2023-2024) and microporous conjugated polymers for capacitors/batteries (2019-2021). Her projects consistently address practical applications in corrosion inhibition for cooling systems and metal protection. She has supervised 18 graduate students throughout her career, focusing on polymer chemistry and materials science topics. Her laboratory work integrates electrochemical synthesis with advanced materials characterization for energy and corrosion applications. Current research directions include ultrasound-assisted polymerization techniques and novel copolymer systems for flexible energy storage devices.

• Conductive Polymers
• Electropolymerization
• Energy Storage Materials
• +5 more

Christopher DelRe serves as Assistant Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), holding dual appointments at the Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) and City College of New York (CCNY) within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His laboratory operates from ASRC G.358 in Manhattan, with research activities centered on advanced materials engineering through protein manipulation and polymer synthesis. Dr. DelRe's research program focuses on polymer chemistry and nanoscience , specifically engineering novel materials through three core approaches: manipulation of natural proteins, synthesis of peptide-based polymers, and confinement of synthetic polymers. His work bridges fundamental molecular understanding with practical applications in sustainable materials, targeting environmental challenges through biodegradable polymer systems and enzymatic recycling technologies. Key methodologies include protein-polymer hybrid design, microporous material engineering, and biofunctionalization of nanomaterials. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on sustainable materials innovation , with recurring themes in enzymatic depolymerization of polyesters (2021-2024), programmable degradation of bioactive plastics (2025), and microporous water systems (2022-2024). His research demonstrates interdisciplinary convergence between polymer physics, synthetic chemistry, and protein science, consistently targeting environmental applications through material design. Founded in Spring 2023, the DelRe Lab actively recruits graduate students and postdoctoral researchers specializing in polymer physics, synthetic polymer chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and protein science. The laboratory maintains dual operational bases at ASRC and CCNY, with current research directions emphasizing microplastic elimination strategies and circular-economy materials for printed electronics. Dr. DelRe engages with the scientific community through platforms like the Bioinspired Green Science Symposium (2022) while maintaining active communication channels via professional email and laboratory website.

• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanoscience
• Protein Engineering
• +2 more

Petko Petkov is a Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", specializing in theoretical chemistry and computational material science . He leads research in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) , zeolites , and quantum chemical modeling of nanomaterials. PhD in Theoretical Chemistry (Sofia University, 2009) MSc in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry (Sofia University, 2004) BSc in Chemistry (Sofia University, 2002) His research focuses on: Ab-initio molecular dynamics of hydrogen bonding DFT simulations for porous materials (MOFs/COFs/zeolites) Structure-property relationships in 2D conjugated frameworks Catalytic mechanism modeling for NO conversion and ceria surfaces Recent publication trends demonstrate expertise in: Electronic structure engineering of 2D MOFs Redox state control in conjugated polymers Kagome lattice design for metallic states Structure-directing agent dynamics in germanosilicates Hydrogen isotope transport in layered materials He teaches advanced courses on: Computational modeling of organic compounds Hybrid QM/MM methods Molecular modeling of functional materials Linux/Bash for scientific computing Prof. Petkov collaborates with leading institutions including: Jacobs University Bremen (PostDoc, 2014-2016) University of Leipzig (Scientific Assistant, 2016-2017) Max Planck Institute (co-author network)

• Theoretical Chemistry
• Computational Modeling
• Quantum Chemistry
• +5 more

Christoph Jung is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bayreuth's School of Mathematics, Physics and Technology, with an extensive research portfolio spanning polymer chemistry, nanomaterials science, and computational chemistry. His work bridges experimental synthesis with advanced simulation techniques, particularly focusing on molecular dynamics applications in materials science. His research interests encompass polymer-nanoparticle hybrid systems, interfacial phenomena, and the development of novel computational methodologies for studying catalytic processes. Jung's work demonstrates particular expertise in ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations, with applications ranging from platinum nanoparticle oxidation to HIV entry inhibitor optimization. His research group investigates the fundamental properties of materials at interfaces, with implications for drug delivery systems, energy applications, and advanced optical materials. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent contributions to high-impact journals including Journal of the Physical Chemistry, Langmuir, and Macromolecules, with recent work showing increasing interdisciplinary scope spanning from computational chemistry to biomedical applications. His research demonstrates strong collaborative networks, particularly with Timo Jacob's group at Bayreuth, and shows evolution from fundamental polymer studies toward more applied biomedical and energy-related research. Jung has received significant recognition through publication in top-tier journals, with his most recent work focusing on ReaxFF-guided optimization of HIV-1 entry inhibitors and metastable nickel-carbon systems. His publication record demonstrates both depth in core expertise and breadth across multiple application areas. His research program includes substantial work on single-molecule techniques, mesoporous materials for drug delivery, and the development of photostable dyes for advanced imaging applications. The consistent quality and impact of his publications indicate a well-established and productive research program with significant contributions to multiple subfields of materials chemistry.

• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanomaterials Science
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations
• +4 more

Maria Giovanna Vezzalini is a Professor at the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her research focuses on structural characterization and functional applications of zeolitic and microporous materials under extreme conditions. Key research areas include: Rare earth element recovery using zeolite L High-pressure behavior of dye-zeolite hybrids Thermal stability of high-silica zeolites for industrial applications Pressure-driven molecular organization in confined spaces Environmental and technological applications of microporous systems Structural analysis of her work reveals trends in host-guest interactions , supramolecular assembly , and pressure-induced phase transitions . Articles demonstrate expertise in synchrotron X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and molecular dynamics modeling.

• Zeolite Materials
• Cation Exchange
• High-Pressure Structural Analysis
• +5 more

Dr. Abbie Trewin is a Professor of Materials Chemistry at Lancaster University's Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science and Technology . Her research focuses on computational methodologies to investigate amorphous porous materials for energy applications, including lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, gas storage, and catalysis. She collaborates closely with synthetic research groups to develop novel computational models. Artificial Synthesis of Amorphous Materials Analysis Techniques and Methodologies Structure Prediction of Hypothetical Networks Trewin's work on lithium ion diffusion, supercapacitor materials, and solid-state electrolytes has led to significant advancements in energy storage and sustainability. She is actively involved in atomistic simulations and high-throughput methods for material design. Scientific Awards : Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2009, extended 2014) Advising and Grants : Trewin supervised undergraduate researchers like Ellena Sherrett, Bartosz Ciborowski, and Sarah Holcroft through RSC bursary programs. She secured an EPSRC grant for Porous Dynamic Materials for Energy Applications and co-applied on another for Renewable chemicals from sustainable feedstocks . Research Groups : Affiliated with Chemical Theory and Computation , Electrochemical and Surfaces , and Energy Lancaster initiatives.

• Materials Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• Amorphous Porous Materials
• +5 more

Prof. Lei Fang is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University, leading the Fang Research Group since 2013. His research focuses on the synthesis and application of conjugated ladder polymers, microporous polymer networks, and covalent organic frameworks for energy conversion/storage and electronics. He holds a B.S. from Wuhan University and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Research interests include structure-property relationships of rigid coplanar polymers, with applications in field-effect transistors, solar cells, and batteries. Key strategies involve bottom-up synthesis, in situ processing, and device fabrication. Fang is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2022) and a 2024 Chancellor EDGES Fellow. His lab is equipped with advanced facilities for synthetic chemistry, thin-film processing, and device characterization. Recent achievements include NSF grants (CHE-2304968, CBET-2300453) and patents in porous polymer networks. Advising includes graduate students like James Yang (2024 Thomas Powell Fellow) and postdoctoral scholars. The group collaborates on topics like sustainable water treatment and smart textiles.

• Energy Materials
• Nanoscience
• Organic Chemistry
• +3 more

Manuel Melle-Franco is a Principal Researcher at the University of Aveiro's Department of Chemistry, where he leads the Advanced Modelling Lab specializing in computational design of carbon nanomaterials, covalent organic frameworks, and biomolecules for advanced technologies. His research spans bioelectronics, nanotechnology, and quantum materials development. His research focuses on computational materials science with emphasis on carbon nanomaterials design , molecular electronic properties , and sustainable material systems . Key areas include graphene nanoribbon engineering, covalent organic framework stability for catalysis, and superconducting fullerene derivatives, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections between theoretical chemistry and applied nanotechnology. His publication portfolio shows consistent high-impact output in materials science, with recent work emphasizing energy applications (batteries, electrolysis), quantum phenomena in nanomaterials , and biomolecular interfaces . The research demonstrates a clear trajectory from fundamental molecular modeling toward practical technological implementations. He has coordinated 26 researchers across multiple projects and secured over €1.5M in direct funding through European initiatives including Pathfinder, FET-OPEN, and M.ERA.NET programs. As a principal investigator for three active European projects and MC member of the NanoSpace COST Action (CA21126), he maintains significant collaborative networks. His laboratory, the Advanced Modelling Lab within the G6 - Virtual Materials and Artificial Intelligence group, operates across four thematic lines: Digitization (L1), Energy (L2), Sustainability (L3), and Health (L4), reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern computational materials research.

• Computational Materials Science
• Carbon Nanomaterials
• Covalent Organic Frameworks
• +5 more