2018 is almost over, so all that is left to do at this stage is to thank all our collaborators, colleagues and friends (and visitors to our website!) for a great year! We wish you all a peaceful Christmas, and all the best for 2019!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
