Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

Japan-UK Science, Technology & Innovation Symposium on the Lithium Ion Battery – 5 March 2013 in London

19 Feb 2013

The Chemical Society of Japan and Ashai Kasei Corporation are co-hosting a symposium, supported by the RSC, at the Japanese Embassy in London on 5th March. The topic of the symposium is ‘Lithium Ion Battery: The Inception, Development, and Future‘. The inventor of the lithium ion battery, Dr Akira Yoshino (Asahi Kasei Corporation, Japan) and Professor Anthony R. West (The University of Sheffield, UK) will be giving lectures. The aim of this symposium is to introduce to the science and technology community in the UK, a seminal global contribution originating from Japan in science, technology and innovation.

Registration for the event closes 28 February 2013. To register please use RSC’s events website, available here:
http://www.rsc.org/ConferencesAndEvents/conference/alldetails.cfm?evid=112885

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2013 Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship – nominations closing 28 February!

18 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Now in its 4th year, we are looking for nominations from you for the next Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship recipient. Nominations for the Lectureship close next week on 28 February.

This annual lectureship honours a younger scientist who has made a significant contribution to the field of materials chemistry.

Qualification
To be eligible for the Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship, the candidate should be in the earlier stages of their scientific career, typically within 10 years of attaining their doctorate or equivalent degree, and will have made a significant contribution to the field.

Description
The recipient of the award will be asked to present one Journal of Materials Chemistry lecture, at a conference decided upon by the recipient and the Editorial Office. The Journal of Materials Chemistry Editorial Office will provide the sum of £1000 to the recipient for travel and accommodation costs. The award recipient will be presented with the award at this lecture. They will also be asked to contribute a lead article to the journal and will have their work showcased on the back cover of the issue in which their article is published.

Selection
The recipient of the lectureship will be selected and endorsed by the Journal of Materials Chemistry Executive Editorial Board.

Nominations
Those wishing to make a nomination should send details of the nominee including a brief C.V. (no longer than 2 pages) together with a letter supporting the nomination (no longer than 2 pages), to the Journal of Materials Chemistry Editorial Office by 28 February 2013. Please note that self-nomination is permitted.

Send a nomination here today: materials-rsc@rsc.org

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Introducing Journal of Materials Chemistry A Associate Editor Stephen Skinner

14 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Stephen Skinner is a Reader in Materials Chemistry in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London with research interests in new materials for energy generation/storage technologies. He is primarily interested in the development of materials for solid oxide fuel cells and in understanding their transport properties, utilising a combination of diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. In-situ structural and electrical characterisation of oxides and the determination of the oxygen transport kinetics are key areas of interest. He is a member of the ISIS neutron source facility access panel, Diamond I20 working group and the Materials Chemistry Division Council of the RSC.

His recent papers include:

In situ compatibility studies of lanthanum nickelate with a ceria-based electrolyte for SOFC composite cathodes
R. Sayers, J. E. Parker, C. C. Tang and S. J. Skinner
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 3536-3543

Evidence for the catalytic oxidation of La₂NiO_4+δ
R. Sayers and S. J. Skinner
J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 414-419

Structural properties of Ce-doped strontium titanate for fuel cell applications
Denis J. Cumming, John A. Kilner and Stephen Skinner
J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 5021-5026

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Hot paper: Feature Article on Ca-based synthetic materials with enhanced CO2 capture efficiency

12 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

This Feature Article by Jose Manuel Valverde from the University of Seville, reviews Ca-based adsorbents for post-combustion carbon capture in Ca-looping processes. This process involves the carbonation reaction of CaO to capture CO₂, followed by calcination of limestone to regenerate the sorbent. The author discusses several topics, including: strategies for reactivation of natural limestones, Ca-based sorbents from synthetic precursors, the use of nanomaterials, the performance of sorbents under harsh calcination conditions, SO₂/CO₂ capture efficiency and physical methods to enhance CO₂ capture performance.

(Featured on the inside front cover of Issue 3 of J. Mater. Chem. A)

Ca-based synthetic materials with enhanced CO₂ capture efficiency
J. Mater. Chem. A, 2013, 1, 447-468. DOI: 10.1039/c2ta00096b (free to read for a short time)

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Introducing Journal of Materials Chemistry B Associate Editor Jeroen Cornelissen

08 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Jeroen Cornelissen is Professor in Biomolecular Nanotechnology at the University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands. He studied chemistry in The Netherlands with a minor in polymer chemistry carried out at the Eindhoven University of Technology with Prof. E.W. Meijer and a major in Supramolecular Chemistry and Catalysis at the University of Nijmegen with Prof. R.J.M. Nolte. He received his PhD (cum laude) from the latter university in 2001 for research carried out under the supervision of Prof. R.J.M. Nolte. After post-doctoral work at the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, U.S.A. he returned to Nijmegen, where he was appointed as an Assistant Professor until 2009. His current research interests are in well-defined polymer architectures, hybrid systems of synthetic macromolecules and biopolymers and the use of viruses as building blocks in functional materials.

His recent papers include:

Time-programmed helix inversion in phototunable liquid crystals
Sarah J. Aßhoff, Supitchaya Iamsaard, Alessandro Bosco, Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen, Ben L. Feringa and Nathalie Katsonis
Chem. Commun., 2013, Advance Article

Relative size selection of a conjugated polyelectrolyte in virus-like protein structures
Melanie Brasch and Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen
Chem. Commun., 2012,48, 1446-1448

Solution scattering studies on a virus capsid protein as a building block for nanoscale assemblies
Marta Comellas-Aragonès, Friso D. Sikkema, Guillaume Delaittre, Ann E. Terry, Stephen M. King, Dirk Visser, Richard K. Heenan, Roeland J. M. Nolte, Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen and Martin C. Feiters
Soft Matter, 2011,7, 11380-11391

Hydrogen bonding and chemical shift assignments in carbazole functionalized isocyanides from solid-state NMR and first-principles calculations
Chandrakala M. Gowda, Filipe Vasconcelos, Erik Schwartz, Ernst R. H. van Eck, Martijn Marsman, Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen, Alan E. Rowan, Gilles A. de Wijs and Arno P. M. Kentgens
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2011,13, 13082-13095

Electrostatic self-assembly of virus–polymer complexes
Mauri A. Kostiainen, Panu Hiekkataipale, Jose Á. de la Torre, Roeland J. M. Nolte and Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen
J. Mater. Chem., 2011,21, 2112-2117

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Hot paper: Combining magnetic field/temperature dual stimuli to significantly enhance gene transfection of nonviral vectors

06 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Nonviral vector-based delivery of genetic information into cells to manipulate their protein expression is of great interest for applications in regenerative medicine and the treatment of genetic diseases. Nanoparticles are a type of nonviral delivery vehicle that can be employed; however their contact with cells is, too a large extent, a diffusion limited process. Using magnetic forces to pull magnetic nanoparticles towards target cells is an established technique to overcome this. However, this can have the drawback that the nanoparticles form overly tight complexes with DNA, which can inhibit gene release. Stimuli-responsive polymer vectors can be used to tune DNA unpacking, by adapting to microenvironmental changes such as temperature, pH, light and redox.

In this hot paper, scientists from Tianjin University describe the preparation of magnetic/thermoresponsive nonviral vectors in the form of monodispersed magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The authors investigate the physicochemical properties of the MNP-polymer brushes/DNA nanocomplexes and the in vitro gene transfection of the MNPs-polymer brushes under a magnetic field with variable temperature conditions. Co-application of magnetic field and temperature stimuli was shown to enhance gene transfection efficiencies.

Combining magnetic field/temperature dual stimuli to significantly enhance gene transfection of nonviral vectors
J. Mater. Chem. B , 2013,1, 43-51. DOI: 10.1039/c2tb00203e (free to read for a short time)

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Introducing Journal of Materials Chemistry C Associate Editor Natalie Stingelin

04 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Natalie Stingelin is a Reader at the Department of Materials, Imperial College London, UK, where she conducts research in the broad area of organic functional materials, including organic electronics, multifunctional inorganic/organic hybrids and smart, advanced optical systems based on organic matter. She has more than 70 papers, is an Associate Editor of Journal of Materials Chemistry C, and in 2011 she received an ERC Young Investigator Award.

Her recent papers include:

Synthesis and charge transport studies of stable, soluble hexacenes
Balaji Purushothaman, Sean R. Parkin, Mark J. Kendrick, Daniel David, Jeremy W. Ward, Liyang Yu, Natalie Stingelin, Oana D. Jurchescu, Oksana Ostroverkhova and John E. Anthony
Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 8261-8263

Solution-processed small molecule transistors with low operating voltages and high grain-boundary anisotropy
Liyang Yu, Xiaoran Li, Jeremy Smith, Steven Tierney, Richard Sweeney, B. K. Charlotte Kjellander, Gerwin H. Gelinck, Thomas D. Anthopoulos and Natalie Stingelin
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 9458-9461

A flexible n-type organic semiconductor for optoelectronics
Ke Gui, Karyn Mutkins, Paul E. Schwenn, Karsten B. Krueger, Almantas Pivrikas, Pascal Wolfer, Natalie Stingelin Stutzmann, Paul L. Burn and Paul Meredith
J. Mater. Chem., 2012, 22, 1800-1806

Fullerene crystallisation as a key driver of charge separation in polymer/fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells
Fiona C. Jamieson, Ester Buchaca Domingo, Thomas McCarthy-Ward, Martin Heeney, Natalie Stingelin and James R. Durrant
Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 485-492

A low band gap co-polymer of dithienogermole and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole by Suzuki polycondensation and its application in transistor and photovoltaic cells
Zhuping Fei, Jong Soo Kim, Jeremy Smith, Ester Buchaca Domingo, Thomas D. Anthopoulos, Natalie Stingelin, Scott E. Watkins, Ji-Seon Kim and Martin Heeney
J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 16257-16263

Low band gap selenophene–diketopyrrolopyrrole polymers exhibiting high and balanced ambipolar performance in bottom-gate transistors
Munazza Shahid, Thomas McCarthy-Ward, John Labram, Stephan Rossbauer, Ester Buchaca Domingo, Scott E. Watkins, Natalie Stingelin, Thomas D. Anthopoulos and Martin Heeney
Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 181-185

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Advancing the Chemistry of the Actinides – Dalton Discussion 14

01 Feb 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Advancing the Chemistry of the Actinides – Dalton Discussion 14

The oral abstract deadline is 15 February 2013 – so submit yours now!

The chemistry of the actinides has the potential to impact upon many of the 21st century chemical challenges requisite for a secure and sustainable future.

This conference will highlight the burgeoning role and exciting prospects for actinides in modern, metal-based chemistry.

Why take part in this discussion?

It’s a great way to get your own research better known.

The excellent keynote and invited speakers will focus on the following themes:

•   Probing structure and bonding in actinide compounds
•   Actinide properties and materials applications
•   Advances in actinide reactivity and catalysis
•   Actinides in the environment

So don’t miss this opportunity to hear from and network with the best in the field!

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Hot paper: Using computational chemistry to predict the thermodynamic and electronic properties of tunable II–VI and IV–VI semiconductor based MOFs

30 Jan 2013

By Sam Keltie, Executive Editor.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of well-known crystalline compounds at the bridge of organic and inorganic chemistry. MOFs have many potential applications such as in gas storage and catalysis. They also have potential applications as semiconductors in photovoltaics, photo-emitters and transistors.

In this hot paper, researchers from the University of Bath, UK use DFT calculations to predict novel hybrid MOFs with desirable semiconductor properties. They expand on the ubiquitous II-VI and IV-VI semiconductors (e.g. CdS, ZnSe, PbTe) and investigate their corresponding hybrid organic-inorganic analogues based on the archetype 3D framework of Pb₃(C₆S₆). Five hybrids were found to be of interest because they have a negative formation enthalpy and band gaps predicted to be in the visible light spectrum. Thus, these five hybrids may have applications as photo-active materials.

Thermodynamic and electronic properties of tunable II–VI and IV–VI semiconductor based metal–organic frameworks from computational chemistry

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2013, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/c2tc00108j (free to read for a short time)

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Euro Intelligent Materials 2013 – Abstract submission open until 28 February 2013

23 Jan 2013

By Hannah Porter, Publishing Assistant.

Intelligent materials with integrated functionalities are required to make devices more energy efficient, autonomous, self-responding, switchable, biocompatible, and anti-bacterial. They are also integrated into novel sensor and actuator devices with significantly increased sensitivity. Such intelligent materials typically have a complex internal structure: they can be composites from different material classes like multiferroics. They might be nanostructured or hierarchically built-up, they could be bio-inspired and possess functional elements ranging from single molecules to the macro-scale.

All those materials and their design and development has to be accompanied by high-resolution analytical tools that are able to characterize the materials on all scales and, moreover, to track and reveal their function-structure relations in situ. The symposium will brzing together experts in the field of intelligent materials in order to present and discuss recent developments and detect future trends. The symposium will be a forum to get in contact with international key researchers and stimulate new collaborations for developing novel intelligent material systems, characterising their functionality from molecular mechanisms to applications.

Prospective authors are very welcome to submit their abstracts until 28 February 2013 here. You will find further information on our conference homepage.

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Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

Japan-UK Science, Technology & Innovation Symposium on the Lithium Ion Battery – 5 March 2013 in London

2013 Journal of Materials Chemistry Lectureship – nominations closing 28 February!

Introducing Journal of Materials Chemistry A Associate Editor Stephen Skinner

Hot paper: Feature Article on Ca-based synthetic materials with enhanced CO2 capture efficiency

Introducing Journal of Materials Chemistry B Associate Editor Jeroen Cornelissen

Hot paper: Combining magnetic field/temperature dual stimuli to significantly enhance gene transfection of nonviral vectors

Introducing Journal of Materials Chemistry C Associate Editor Natalie Stingelin

Advancing the Chemistry of the Actinides – Dalton Discussion 14

Hot paper: Using computational chemistry to predict the thermodynamic and electronic properties of tunable II–VI and IV–VI semiconductor based MOFs

Euro Intelligent Materials 2013 – Abstract submission open until 28 February 2013

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