Research and Innovation

School celebrates success at REF 2021

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Chemical bottles in chemistry lab
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Optimising drug compounds

Dr Foster likens his research into optimising drug compounds to solving a Rubik’s’ Cube – one that is a lot more complex than the well-known puzzle

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Rubicks cube
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Next-generation chemistry for medicine

We're a founding partner in the Rosalind Franklin Institute, a national body dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life sciences

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chemistry equipment
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Research and innovation

Our world-leading research, delivered via six research groups, cuts across the fields of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The research themes of these groups are all at the disciplinary interfaces of chemistry, with: physics, geology and biology, biology and medicine, physics and mathematics, materials science, medicine and chemical engineering. 

We have strong links with the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, the Bragg Centre for Materials Research, and the Priestley International Centre for Climate.

99%

"world-leading" or "internationally excellent"

Submitted research outputs - REF 2021

Over 90

academic and research staff

working with over 65 PhD researchers to deliver high-impact research

100%

of our research has

‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ impact latest REF

Our research

Understanding our atmosphere is essential for sustainable future development. Atmospheric chemistry influences air quality, human health, and climate change and hence the future of our planet.

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We focus on chemical approaches at the interfaces of biology and medicine, with expertise in synthesis, molecular recognition, mechanistic enzymology, medicinal, biophysical chemistry and nanoscience.

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We experiment with, evaluate and research the way people teach and learn Chemistry at University and describe their courses to future Chemists.

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We look at the application of assembly-based approaches for the generation of new functional materials, investigating how assembly occurs over length scales from the molecular to the mesoscale.

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Through the Institute of Process Research and Development, we explore the manufacturing of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and new materials.

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Collaborate with us

We put science into action through partnerships with industry, and deliver value-based solutions to a host of problems across a wide range of industry sectors.

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Our expertise is complemented by range of specialist facilities, from NMR spectroscopy machines to a state-of-the-art iRPD laboratory.

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