Professor Olli Ikkala is a faculty member in the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University (previously known as Helsinki University of Technology) in Espoo, near Helsinki. His research focuses on creating functional materials through hierarchical self-assemblies, biomimetics, and natural starting materials. Trained initially in physics, he spent ten years in the chemical industry, primarily working on the development of polymer blends and electrically conducting polymers before returning to academia. The Faul Group hosts him as he visits.
Prof. Ikkala is photographed giving a lecture on life-inspired soft matter dynamics and functionalities below.
Prof Faul was recently invited to spend some time at Tsinghua University Xuetang International Chemistry Summer School. Charl spent 6 years here as adjunct professor (2013–2019). Group member Jerry Mintah joins for on his first trip to China! M. Carmen Galan from the University of Bristol also joins for interactions and scientific discussions with students from China and across the world.
Efficiently treating wastewater contaminated with carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) has been a persistent challenge in both academic and industrial research. While ion exchange is recognised for its simplicity and effectiveness, its integration with advanced nanomaterials offers enhanced potential. The cationic porous organic polymer (POP) PTPA–PIP is a novel development poised to aid in industrial wastewater treatment.
PTPA–PIP is synthesised by converting the aromatic polyamine PTPA into its protonated form. This modification significantly increases the polymer’s hydrophilicity, enabling it to disperse uniformly in aqueous environments, which is essential for efficient water treatment applications. PTPA–PIP demonstrates the following:
High exchange capacity: PTPA–PIP exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 230 mg Cr2O72– per gram of polymer.
Rapid adsorption kinetics: It achieves an initial adsorption rate of 83 mg g–1 min–1, indicating ultrafast removal of contaminants.
Exceptional Selectivity: The polymer retains approximately 90% of its adsorption capacity even in the presence of a 40-fold concentration of competing anions.
Robust reusability: PTPA–PIP can be reused for at least five cycles without significant loss of performance.
This publication documents a substantial advancement in the field of wastewater treatment with porous polymers, offering a highly effective solution for addressing the challenges associated with Cr(VI) contamination.
Sutures are invasive and prone to infection, but a new class of supramolecular-based adhesives offers a better solution. In this study, dopamine-based polymers were synthesized, resulting in highly effective, non-cytotoxic adhesives with mechanical strength superior to commercial bio-adhesives like BioGlue and Tisseel. These adhesives can re-adhere, perform well in aqueous environments, and be safely removed with ethanol, demonstrating significant potential for surgical use.
Open access review article from Marcos and co-authors now available in Soft Science.
This review comprehensively examines topics on the interface of soft robotics and chemistry including the utilisation of chemical power sources, oscillating systems, and chemically driven pneumatic actuation.
This week, the Faul Group is welcoming back Ulia as she returns from her two-month visit to the National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. During this collaborative period, her skills concerning in situ measurements for evaluating material performance in carbon dioxide reduction were honed.
Pleased to announce that Faul Group member Sam Deeks, Prof Faul and Dr Lennox have co-founded Mixterial.
Sam and co-founders have developed an innovative range of conductive composites suitable for use in electrosynthesis, aerospace, sensors, and various other applications. The materials and technology were developed and refined during Deeks’ PhD and proved to be commercially viable.
Funding for market research and viability assessment was made possible with the Innovate UK ICURe EXPLORE initiative – a comprehensive 12-week market exploration program. It offers financial backing of up to £35,000 to cover the Entrepreneurial Lead’s salary, assumption testing, and customer discovery endeavours. Its primary objective is to assist research teams from various regions of the UK in exploring technology applications and validating value propositions through extensive global market engagement.
Researchers and experts (including Prof Faul and Dr Baker) from the University of Bristol have developed a new technology known as PoreSafe. These materials offer innovative solutions to tackle bacterial growth, even for the most resilient bacteria. Additionally, the activity of these materials does not diminish over time and can be blended and incorporated into other materials and formulations.
A short video introducing this technology can be found below.
Jerry Mintah, a Royce Summer Intern, shares his experience of working with the Faul Research Group in an interview with Dr. George Miller, the Royce Student Engagement Manager. During the eight-week internship, Jerry worked alongside his mentor, Basiram Brahma Narzary, and supervisor, Professor Charl F. J. Faul.
Jerry’s Royce Summer Internship project was focused on porous polyimide networks for CO2 capture and conversion. The project has the potential to significantly contribute to industrial decarbonisation and combat the urgent climate crisis brought about by global warming.
Jerry was also co-author on a recent paper from the Faul Group, which was featured on the inside front cover of the RSC journal Materials Chemistry Frontiers.
More information can be found at Royce.ac.uk and the complete interview is available below.
The conference aims to provide an international platform to discuss emerging trends and advancement in the research and development of various classes of materials and is divided into four major themes: (i) Future Biomaterials-Biomedical, Medicine and Other Applications; (ii) Future Materials for Energy and Sustainability; (iii) Materials for Electronics, Optics, and Photonics; and (iv) Nanomaterials.
Faul Research Group 