Author Archives: Faul Research Group - Functional Polymers

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About Faul Research Group - Functional Polymers

This is the official website for the Faul Research Group, based in the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charl-fj-faul-付强/

And now Ben’s paper – accepted and published online!

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It has been a great week for publications! Ben’s paper was recently accepted, and just appeared earlier today on the MSDE (Molecular Systems Design & Engineering) website! This study, entitled “Tipping the polaron–bipolaron balance: concentration and spin effects in doped oligo(aniline)s observed by UV-vis-NIR and TD DFT” is an invited contribution to the special themed collection “Soft Materials Nanoarchitectonics”.

We describe a robust computational protocol for modelling the molecular geometries, electronic structures and absorption spectra of oligomers of the widely-used and versatile conducting polymer, poly(aniline). By comparing experimental UV-vis-NIR and EPR spectra with TD-DFT simulations, we discovered it is possible to switch reversibly between diamagnetic and paramagnetic forms (bipolaronic and polaronic states) of oligo(aniline)s in solution simply by adjusting dopant concentrations – a finding which could reinvigorate research into conduction mechanisms in poly(aniline) and related materials, as well as allowing control of material properties and functionality.

Well done Ben, Shao, Steph, and collaborators Dave, Patrice and Natalie!

Djen’s paper accepted!

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Great news – Djen’s paper on “Laser-scribed Graphene Oxide Electrodes for Soft Electroactive Devices” has been accepted for publication by Advanced Materials Technologies.

Here we (Djen, Jonathan Rossiter and Charl) show that laser-scribed graphene oxide (LSGO) can be used to fabricate patterned, stretchable electrodes for dielectric actuators (DEAs) – even an actuating University of Bristol logo!

Well done Djen!

Commonwealth PhD Scholarship applications invited!

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If you are from one of the Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa, you are eligible to apply for  a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship.  Please see here for a full list of countries and further information.

If you are interested to join the Faul Research Group (under the theme of “Science and Technology for Development” ), then please contact Prof. Faul by email with a CV and two academic letters of reference.

Please note: the scholarship submission deadline is the 19th of December; however, in order to obtain an offer letter, applications for study at the University of Bristol need to be submitted by the 7th of December 2018.

University of Rennes1, France

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Charl was invited, as visiting professor, to spend a few days at the University of Rennes1 by former postdoc Dr Franck Camerel. Franck, who is in the MaCSE (Matière Condensée et Systèmes Electroactifs) group,

Several days of excellent and stimulating scientific discussions were closely accompanied by good food, and the pleasure of seeing old friends again! Thank you Franck!

Visitors from Jilin

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It was great to be able to host (with fantastic support from the BCFN) 5 staff and 10 graduate students from the State Key Laboratory for Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University (Changchun, China)! The visit, to discuss new joint undergraduate programmes, and to further explore research interactions, was a fantastic success!

There was also a poster session, where Esther and Christian presented some of their latest results! More photos to follow!

Great to see old friends again (including Prof Kun Liu and Dayang Wang), but also to make many new friends and connections!

Back in Beijing!

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Charl joined an international panel of experts to help with the external evaluation of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at BIT (Beijing Institute of Technology). The evaluation ended with a series of scientific seminars by some panel members, including Prof. Donglin Jiang (now at NUS, Singapore), and Charl!

Here Donglin and Charl are in discussion after Donglin’s impressive talk!

 

Thanks to the fantastic cooking team!

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Fantastic effort by members of the FRG who helped, with other volunteers, to prepare 225 meals for new international students at BISC last week – a new record!  What a wonderful way to help to make those who are new to the UK, and to Bristol, feel welcome!

Well done to all who helped throughout the busy evening!

CSC/UoB Joint Scholarship call announced!

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The China Scholarship Council and the University of Bristol has announced the new round of their joint scholarship scheme – this year with 60 4-year fully funded PhD studentships available!

The scheme will formally open for applications on the 3rd of October, with a formal submission deadline of 18 January 2019, for a September 2019 start. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply to join the Faul Research Group – if you are interested to explore this scheme then you are encouraged to please contact Prof. Faul as soon as possible.

Please note that having both a good academic record (minimum of two publications) as well as the required English qualifications (see the page here for full details) is crucial for success in this highly competitive scheme.

Talk at the CAS Institute of Process Engineering!

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Charl finally had the chance to visit an old friend, Prof Dan Wang, at the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Process Engineering. Prof Wang and his group focus on the production of functional hollow multi-shell particles for a wide range of energy applications – with some very impressive results!

After an exciting series of talks by PhD students from Prof Wang’s group, Charl gave a seminar and provided an overview of FRG research activities! Here he is being questioned by Prof Wang!

Jam-packed Changchun visit!

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Charl visited the College of Chemistry, Jilin University, in Changchun, for a quick series of presentations and lectures last week! He had the privilege to speak to 300 freshman and a group of 2nd year students from the College of Chemistry about the School of Chemistry at Bristol, and future opportunities for exchange.

He also spoke to a large group of new PhD students (many from the very well-known State Key Laboratory for Supramolecular Structure and Materials) about planning your PhD project and writing scientific papers!