IDEAS Factory - Chemical Craftwork: Directed Assembly of Functional Patterns (Brianchell)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
Nature is uniquely good at constructing complex, versatile, self regulating systems from cells to us. Learning to manipulate complexity in a similar way should allow new solutions to many problems. In this project we are aiming to direct the assembly of conducting networks so that there is information (function) encoded in the structure of the product. This is very similar to the way in which the central nervous system both stores information and responds to stimuli, and our target is to physically realise a type of computational device known as a Neural net. To achieve function we have two approaches / 'learning' in which the net can be taught to have a function, and 'evolution' where the parameters used to construct the net act as a gene which can be evolved to code for nets with the required function. It is likely that a combination will be needed (evolution to establish a gross structure, and learning to 'fine tune' it) in much the same way as a our central nervous system develops.We will be using conducting polymers, nanoparticals, nanotubes, and dynamic chemical waves to construct our networks, mainly electrical potentials to direct formation, and conductance properties to characterise them.
Publications
Wang J
(2006)
Encapsulation and IR probing of cube-shaped octasilasesquioxane H8Si8O12 in carbon nanotubes.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Shi Y
(2008)
Photoresponse in Self-Assembled Films of Carbon Nanotubes
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Rance GA
(2014)
Interactions of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles: the effects of solvent dielectric constant and temperature on controlled assembly of superstructures.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Rance G
(2008)
Extinction coefficient analysis of small alkanethiolate-stabilised gold nanoparticles
in Chemical Physics Letters
Marsh DH
(2007)
Comparison of the stability of multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersions in water.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Marsh D
(2008)
Assembly, structure and electrical conductance of carbon nanotube-gold nanoparticle 2D heterostructures
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Cronin L
(2006)
The imitation game--a computational chemical approach to recognizing life.
in Nature biotechnology
Britz DA
(2006)
Noncovalent interactions of molecules with single walled carbon nanotubes.
in Chemical Society reviews
Description | A custom 20-microelectrode array was sourced from Prof. Gardner (Warwick) after the EPSRC fabrication service failed to provide a working device, but the 2 year delay substantially affected progress of a large part of the work. A 20 independent channel voltage source / picoammeter was designed and built in collaboration with Prof. Ben Whitaker and Mr P. Kapetanopoulos (Leeds) who were also part of the CHELL consortium (CHELLware). |
Exploitation Route | Thin films of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube - nanoparticle superstructures have been integrated in chemical sensors, detectors and parts of solar cells. They showed remarkable improvements in sensitivity. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Electronics Energy |
URL | http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/nanocarbon |
Description | Thin films of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube - nanoparticle superstructures have been integrated in chemical sensors, detectors and parts of solar cells. They showed remarkable improvements in sensitivity. |
Sector | Electronics,Energy |
Description | European Research Council Consolidator Award |
Amount | € 1,446,100 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 12/2011 |
End | 11/2016 |
Description | Royal Society Research Grant |
Amount | £14,700 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2005 |
End | 03/2006 |
Description | Royal Society University Research Fellowship |
Amount | £689,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2005 |
End | 09/2013 |
Description | Collaboration with Oxford Materials - Prof. Andrew Briggs, Dr. Kyriakos Porfyrakis |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration on fullerene chemistry |
Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of materials and technical expertise; support with endohedral fullerene preparation and characterization |
Impact | several high-profile publications; £235,400 funding for research in my group on endohedral fullerenes for quantum information processing; joint PhD students; Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition "Wonder in Carbon Land" 2008 |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | British Association Festival of Science (Liverpool) 'Wonder in Carbon Land' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Popular science exhibition to inspire school pupils to study STEM subjects with emphasis on chemistry of nano-carbons Increased levels of interest from general public and schools (6 school visits followed the exhibition). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |