Charl continued his short trip to Kyoto University, where he visited the world-leading research laboratories of Prof Hiroshi Kitagawa. This visit was an opportunity to renew the long-standing interactions (interrupted by COVID!), and to explore new opportunities for joint symposia, student and staff exchanges, and collaborative research activities. Here Charl is with Prof Kitagawa, and his group (in front of the Clifton Suspension Bridge!).
A visit to National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, Japan
Charl is currently visiting colleagues and potential collaborators in Japan. His short visit started with a wonderful visit at the National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba in Japan. He was hosted by Dr Takashi Nakanishi (Group Leader, Frontier Molecules Group), and had the pleasure of having three generations of Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces together: Ken Sakaushi (2013–2015), Charl (2001–2004) and Takashi (2007–2010).
Welcoming new visiting student from China, Yubing Wang
Yubing joins the Faul Group as a visiting student from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China for a year. Her research focus is on the design and applications of conjugated microporous polymers and their application in the removal of heavy metal ion pollution in wastewater. Welcome!
Back cover in Adv. Funct. Mater. unveiled
Back cover of Advanced Functional Materials, Volume 33, Issue 13 illustrating concepts from Xu et al. In the image, the amorphous gel is seen altering and shifting within the non-uniform electric field generated by the point electrode. The electric field lines, depicted by coloured lines, converge at the point electrode.
In Delhi for i-CONECT 2023: Electrocatalysis!
Charl is currently in India, and gave a plenary lecture at the exciting conference organised by Prof Pravin Ingole, Department of Chemistry, IIT Delhi!

Great to be sharing results from the group on CMPs for CO2 conversion, water purification and related topics!
New paper in Adv. Mater.: “Selective CO₂ Electroreduction from Tuneable Naphthalene-Based Porous Polyimide Networks”
Excited to announce Basiram and Dr. Baker‘s latest openly accessible article in Adv. Mater. entitled “Selective CO2 electroreduction from tuneable naphthalene-based porous polyimide networks” detailing exciting new metal-free materials for CO2 capture & reduction.

New Advanced Functional Materials paper
New paper authored by Ciqun Xu in collaboration with J. Rossiter and the Soft Robotics Research Group in Advanced Functional Materials demonstrating multiple applications of novel electric field-driven dielectrophoretic elastomer actuators.
Call for potential fellowship candidates
The Faul Group is inviting potential candidates to contact Professor Faul with two letters of reference and a CV to explore the application for a Newton International Fellowship.
Please check the link above for details and eligibility criteria.
Deadline: 28th March 2023.

First viva success of 2023
Congratulations from all of the Faul Group to Nouf Zaghloul who passed her PhD viva on 26th January. Her research featured novel contributions to science concerning scribe-on: writing wearable, flexible and stretchable electronics with polyaniline.
She leaves the group to continue in scientific research at the University of Bath. Best of luck.
Thank you to Dr Shirin Alexander of Swansea University for her time in the process.

Ending 2022 on a high note!
Congratulations to Julia and Ben on their paper in ACS Applied Polymer Materials. The study shows the potential of our aniline-based conjugated microporous polymers for azobenzene dye removal from wastewaters, and opens up a wide range of new and exciting opportunities to contribute to addressing global challenges.
This post is also a great opportunity to thank all Faul Group members, collaborators and friends a peaceful Festive Season, and all the very best for 2023!