Addressing the mechanical mismatch between biological tissue and traditional electronic materials remains a major challenge in bioelectronics. While the rigidity of such materials limits biocompatibility, supramolecular polymer networks can harmoniously interface with biological tissues as they are soft, wet, and stretchable. We designed an electrically conductive supramolecular polymer network that simultaneously exhibits both electronic and ionic conductivity while maintaining tissue-mimetic mechanical properties, providing an ideal electronic interface with the human body.

We have pioneered the use of soft, dynamic hydrogels mediated by CB[8] host-guest interactions as tuneable biomaterials. The opportunity to tune these gels on a molecular level enables matching of the macroscopic material properties such as modulus to a range of tissues including brain, lung and skin. Our approach enables the incoorporation of additional motifs such as cell-binding and cell-responsive ques which can be used to promote cell growth and differentiation as well triggered release. 

Within the group, we have developed technologies for the analysis of biological fluids such as urine to detect drugs and biomarkers of disease. Our focus is on non-invasive and facile sample acquisition to enable rapid analysis yielding information for medical diagnosis and monitoring. 

The ability to detect and quantify biomarkers related to mental health disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), anorexia nervosa, autism, bipolar disorder, and depression holds significant patient benefits. Urinary markers have promising practical applications; however, no robust urine biomarkers exist currently for psychiatric disorders. We are utilizing genetic methods to reduce the time and cost associated with biomarker discovery.

We are interested in the development of technologies and systems for delivering therapeutic agents to specific sites in the body with controlled kinetics and improved efficacy. The goal of drug delivery research is to improve the therapeutic outcomes of drugs by enhancing their delivery to the target site, reducing side effects, and improving patient compliance.

The development of dynamic, CB[n]-based adhesive materials imparts interfacial adhesion with astounding toughness, energy dissipation, and reversible bonding upon mechanical failure, as well as on-demand control over bonding and de-bonding. Moreover there is no need for surface pre-functionalisation or introduction of curing agents. 

Organic molecules that can stabilise free radicals are promising candidates for battery energy storage. Controlling electron spins of these radicals is key to control their reactivity towards oxygen and the overall battery behaviour and stability. We have developed a library of bispyridinium species that can act as efficient electron mediators. Our bispyridinium electrolytes enabled the construction of air-tolerant redox flow batteries for the first time.

Efficient energy transfer requires both an appropriate arrangement of chromophores with specific orientation, stacking, and spacing to ensure effective interchromophoric interactions and a rigid scaffold to accommodate the chromophores and sustain the effective arrangement and interaction for a sufficiently long period of time. We have developed molecular design strategies that enable the precise arrangement of light-absorbing chromophores, this is  critical to realise the next generation of synthetic assemblies for (photo)energy applications.

Utilising metastable RuNPs, a catalytically  active  material  for  the production  of hydrogen gas  through the hydrolysis of ammonia-borane in water at room temperature has been developed. The low activation energy of the catalytic hydrolysis resulted in a turnover number of 21.8 per minute, rendering the metastable RuNPs  as  an  extremely  promising  candidate  for  the  production  of hydrogen gas under mild conditions for practical applications.

We have used CB[n] macrocycles to encapsulate catalytically active species. Encapsulation with CB[n] facilitates "supramolecular catalysis" which results in improved stability and activity alongside increased specificity and selectivity of substrates and products. The aim is to reduce the use of harsh conditions and toxic materials, and to make chemical reactions more environmentally friendly and economically viable.

We introduced a new class of material based on a self-assembled hydrogel constructed with dynamic host–guest cross-links between functional polymers. Supramolecular fibers can be drawn from this hydrogel at room temperature which exhibit better tensile and damping properties than conventional regenerated fibers, such as viscose, artificial silks, and hair. By producing fibers in this way we aim to reduce energy consumption and waste, and to develop new and innovative applications for low-temperature fibers

Real-time monitoring of chemical reactions provides information on reaction kinetics, such as reaction rate, product formation, and intermediate species, and enables the optimisation and control of chemical processes in real-time. By providing real-time information on reaction kinetics, we can improve the efficiency and sustainability of chemical processes, reduce waste and energy consumption, and develop new and improved products.

We are interested in the design of systems that can change their physical or chemical properties in response to specific stimuli, such as temperature, light, magnetic field, pH, or ionic strength. By designing new stimuli-responsive systems, we aim to improve the efficiency and performance of existing materials and devices, and develop new and innovative applications that can respond to environmental stimuli.