Nathaniel Bingham

Nathaniel Bingham is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Surrey, where he is affiliated with the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He teaches across multiple chemistry courses including the Chemistry Foundation Year, which he leads, as well as courses in physical processes, organic structure, reactivity, and carbon-carbon bond formation.

Dr. Bingham earned his MChem degree from the University of Southampton in 2016 before pursuing his PhD at the University of Surrey under the supervision of Dr. Peter Roth. His doctoral research focused on the synthesis of novel monomers for degradable polymers, specifically developing the first thionolactone capable of undergoing radical ring-opening polymerization (RROP, TARO).

Dr. Bingham's research centers on sustainable polymer chemistry with a focus on degradable materials. His work spans several key areas including radical polymerization techniques, development of degradable polymers through thionolactone chemistry, and radical ring-opening polymerization (RROP). He has made significant contributions to understanding how thionolactones can be incorporated into various polymer systems to create materials that can be fully degraded under specific conditions, with applications ranging from drug delivery to sustainable materials. His research often bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with practical applications in education and industry.

Analysis of Dr. Bingham's publication record reveals a consistent focus on degradable polymer systems, particularly those utilizing thionolactone chemistry. His work demonstrates expertise in multiple polymerization techniques including radical, cationic, and controlled methods like RAFT and ATRP. A notable trend is his exploration of how small structural changes in thionolactone monomers affect polymerization behavior and degradation properties. More recently, he has expanded his research to include applications in chemistry education, particularly examining how games and innovative teaching methods can enhance student learning.

Dr. Bingham has been actively involved in mentoring students and developing educational approaches. Since 2019, he has led the Chemistry Foundation Year course at Surrey while also investigating the use of games in teaching. His educational research extends to examining how extracurricular activities like hackathons can promote academic and employability skills among students. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, his extensive publication record suggests successful research funding.

Dr. Bingham appears to be part of a collaborative research group focused on polymer science, working closely with Dr. Peter Roth and other colleagues at the University of Surrey. His research has practical applications in developing sustainable materials that can address plastic waste concerns through designed degradation pathways. The group's work has implications for creating circular polymer economies where materials can be fully recovered to their monomeric building blocks.