Core Capability - University of York
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The Chemistry Department in York is one of University's largest research-led departments, with approximately 50 academic staff, 57-research fellows, 136 PhD (30 funded by EPSRC, 12 by NERC), and 14 MSc/MRes research students. Our chemical analyses are critical for the publication of research articles and these are made at a number of leading research centres for example, the York Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS), York Centre for Magnetic Resonance (YCMR), York JEOL Nanocentre, and the Centre for Hyperpolarisation in Magnetic Resonance (CHyM). This bid is made for new/replacement equipment to support our leading research in the following activities:
NMR Spectroscopy: We seek funding for a 400 MHz solid state NMR system as a vital extension to our research activities, given the huge importance of solid/soft matter in numerous research and technological areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, green chemistry, materials and nano-science. In addition, we will contribute to solid state NMR methodology research, which will allow our hyperpolarization research to include NMR studies of surface species/catalysis, and also to the expansion of unconventional computational research (based on spin dynamics) that will be extended to much more complicated, time-dependent phenomena than is currently possible.
Mass Spectrometry: In collaboration with Bruker Daltonics, the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS) in York was supplied with a unique combination and breadth of instrumentation, the centre piece of which is our FT-ICR instrument, which was upgraded to the new solariX. FT-ICR is the method that provides the highest resolution and accuracy measurements in mass spectrometry. The specification of our current instrument (9.4T solariX) has a resolution of 1.5 x 10 sixth at m/z 400. With its MALDI and ESI sources, it is also capable of imaging MS. We now seek to upgrade the solariX to the even higher resolving power and accuracy required to capture the full range of information for increasingly complex natural mixtures like fossil- and bio-fuels and many other current analytical challenges such as the molecular-level characterization of atmospheric aerosols and probing intact proteins and protein assemblies.
Small Angle X-Ray Diffraction: "Soft-matter" comprises a family of differing materials from membrane lipids, detergents, polymers, and nanoparticles to liquid crystals; ie, systems integral to every-day-life. The properties and applications of such systems require detailed understanding of structure and local molecular organisation. Previously, structures were inferred from polarized light microscopy, however, as the complexities of the phases of functional materials increase modern X-ray diffraction has become the standard for structural characterisation. This request is directed at extending our cutting edge research on self-assembling systems, via the acquisition of a diffractometer with custom-made sample holders, to study phase structures in the bulk, in thin films, and in devices.
Fluorescence X-ray Spectroscopy: In 2009, UoY prioritised the purchase of a micro-X-ray fluorescence (Horiba XGT-7000 Micro XRF). The instrument provides non-destructive elemental analysis, beyond CHN (ppm levels), directly from the sample (solid or liquid) without digestion using hazardous strong acids (ie, mandatory for flame atomic absorption). The equipment is currently unusable and needs parts replacing and repair.
NMR Spectroscopy: We seek funding for a 400 MHz solid state NMR system as a vital extension to our research activities, given the huge importance of solid/soft matter in numerous research and technological areas such as heterogeneous catalysis, green chemistry, materials and nano-science. In addition, we will contribute to solid state NMR methodology research, which will allow our hyperpolarization research to include NMR studies of surface species/catalysis, and also to the expansion of unconventional computational research (based on spin dynamics) that will be extended to much more complicated, time-dependent phenomena than is currently possible.
Mass Spectrometry: In collaboration with Bruker Daltonics, the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (CoEMS) in York was supplied with a unique combination and breadth of instrumentation, the centre piece of which is our FT-ICR instrument, which was upgraded to the new solariX. FT-ICR is the method that provides the highest resolution and accuracy measurements in mass spectrometry. The specification of our current instrument (9.4T solariX) has a resolution of 1.5 x 10 sixth at m/z 400. With its MALDI and ESI sources, it is also capable of imaging MS. We now seek to upgrade the solariX to the even higher resolving power and accuracy required to capture the full range of information for increasingly complex natural mixtures like fossil- and bio-fuels and many other current analytical challenges such as the molecular-level characterization of atmospheric aerosols and probing intact proteins and protein assemblies.
Small Angle X-Ray Diffraction: "Soft-matter" comprises a family of differing materials from membrane lipids, detergents, polymers, and nanoparticles to liquid crystals; ie, systems integral to every-day-life. The properties and applications of such systems require detailed understanding of structure and local molecular organisation. Previously, structures were inferred from polarized light microscopy, however, as the complexities of the phases of functional materials increase modern X-ray diffraction has become the standard for structural characterisation. This request is directed at extending our cutting edge research on self-assembling systems, via the acquisition of a diffractometer with custom-made sample holders, to study phase structures in the bulk, in thin films, and in devices.
Fluorescence X-ray Spectroscopy: In 2009, UoY prioritised the purchase of a micro-X-ray fluorescence (Horiba XGT-7000 Micro XRF). The instrument provides non-destructive elemental analysis, beyond CHN (ppm levels), directly from the sample (solid or liquid) without digestion using hazardous strong acids (ie, mandatory for flame atomic absorption). The equipment is currently unusable and needs parts replacing and repair.
Planned Impact
The University of York's proposal is based on a collective approach by the N8 universities to the EPSRC Core Capability Call. This approach is in response to the Wakeham Review of efficiencies in research funding, a report was commissioned in 2011 to explore the benefits of wider collaboration across the universities represented by the group (Prof L. Georghiou, Sharing for Excellence and Growth, 2011, http://www.n8research.org.uk/research_areas/). This report identified a strong need of the N8 group to collaborate and co-ordinate on equipment and capital costs, where this is viable. The coordinated bid from the N8 Universities is in full alignment with this recommendation.
An asset-sharing programme has been developed to create an integrated database of assets that are available for the use of researchers throughout the N8. These systems describe the research equipment in detail, including its availability, procedures for access (eg health and safety and training) and how access would be charged to another institution. Through the implementation and utilisation of this system, equipment and instrumentation funded through this application will be leveraged for a greater impact across both the individual department and the N8 organisation than if it was provided to a single institution. Furthermore, as a result the N8 Collective will be able to continue to train chemists to a standard in order to enable them to compete on national and international levels on the most relevant equipment.
An asset-sharing programme has been developed to create an integrated database of assets that are available for the use of researchers throughout the N8. These systems describe the research equipment in detail, including its availability, procedures for access (eg health and safety and training) and how access would be charged to another institution. Through the implementation and utilisation of this system, equipment and instrumentation funded through this application will be leveraged for a greater impact across both the individual department and the N8 organisation than if it was provided to a single institution. Furthermore, as a result the N8 Collective will be able to continue to train chemists to a standard in order to enable them to compete on national and international levels on the most relevant equipment.
Organisations
Publications
Mandle R
(2015)
Control of free volume through size exclusion in the formation of smectic C phases for display applications
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Mandle R
(2015)
Etheric bimesogens and the twist-bend nematic phase
in Liquid Crystals
Archbold CT
(2015)
Chiral dopants and the twist-bend nematic phase--induction of novel mesomorphic behaviour in an apolar bimesogen.
in Soft matter
Mandle RJ
(2015)
Apolar bimesogens and the incidence of the twist-bend nematic phase.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mandle R
(2016)
Progression from nano to macro science in soft matter systems: dimers to trimers and oligomers in twist-bend liquid crystals
in RSC Advances
Mandle RJ
(2016)
The Dependency of Nematic and Twist-bend Mesophase Formation on Bend Angle.
in Scientific reports
Mandle R
(2016)
An interplay between molecular pairing, smectic layer spacing, dielectric anisotropy and re-entrant phenomena in ?-alkenyloxy cyanobiphenyls
in Liquid Crystals
Mandle RJ
(2016)
A twist-bend nematic to an intercalated, anticlinic, biaxial phase transition in liquid crystal bimesogens.
in Soft matter
Mandle R
(2016)
Intercalated soft-crystalline mesophase exhibited by an unsymmetrical twist-bend nematogen
in CrystEngComm
Mandle RJ
(2016)
Dependence of Mesomorphic Behaviour of Methylene-Linked Dimers and the Stability of the NTB /NX Phase upon Choice of Mesogenic Units and Terminal Chain Length.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Mandle R
(2016)
Etheric bimesogens and the twist-bend nematic phase
Mandle RJ
(2016)
A Liquid Crystalline Oligomer Exhibiting Nematic and Twist-Bend Nematic Mesophases.
in Chemphyschem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry
Mandle RJ
(2017)
Combined Microscopy, Calorimetry and X-ray Scattering Study of Fluorinated Dimesogens.
in Scientific reports
Simpson F
(2017)
Investigating the Cusp between the nano- and macro-sciences in supermolecular liquid-crystalline twist-bend nematogens
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Mandle RJ
(2017)
A nematic to nematic transformation exhibited by a rod-like liquid crystal.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Archbold C
(2017)
Conformational landscapes of bimesogenic compounds and their implications for the formation of modulated nematic phases
in Liquid Crystals
Al-Janabi A
(2017)
Isomeric trimesogens exhibiting modulated nematic mesophases
in RSC Adv.
Goodby J
(2017)
Free volume, molecular grains, self-organisation, and anisotropic entropy: machining materials
in Liquid Crystals
Al-Khazrajy O
(2017)
Determination of pharmaceuticals in freshwater sediments using ultrasonic-assisted extraction with SPE clean-up and HPLC-DAD or LC-ESI-MS/MS detection
in Analytical Methods
Mandle R
(2017)
Developments in liquid-crystalline dimers and oligomers
in Liquid Crystals
Mandle R
(2017)
Evaluation of 4-alkoxy-4'-nitrobiphenyl liquid crystals for use in next generation scattering LCDs
in RSC Advances
Mandle R
(2017)
Developments in liquid-crystalline dimers and oligomers
in Liquid Crystals
Skeene K
(2017)
One Filter, One Sample, and the N - and O-Glyco(proteo)me: Toward a System to Study Disorders of Protein Glycosylation
in Analytical Chemistry
Skeene K
(2017)
One Filter, One Sample, and the N - and O-Glyco(proteo)me: Toward a System to Study Disorders of Protein Glycosylation
in Analytical Chemistry
Mandle RJ
(2017)
Rational Design of Rod-Like Liquid Crystals Exhibiting Two Nematic Phases.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Catania TM
(2018)
Silencing amorpha-4,11-diene synthase Genes in Artemisia annua Leads to FPP Accumulation.
in Frontiers in plant science
Mertelj A
(2018)
Splay Nematic Phase
in Physical Review X
Mandle R
(2018)
Inexpensive, operationally simple flow reactor for rapid, chromatography free synthesis of siloxane based liquid crystals
in Reaction Chemistry & Engineering
Mandle RJ
(2018)
A Nanohelicoidal Nematic Liquid Crystal Formed by a Non-Linear Duplexed Hexamer.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Mandle RJ
(2018)
Designing Liquid-Crystalline Oligomers to Exhibit Twist-Bend Modulated Nematic Phases.
in Chemical record (New York, N.Y.)
Mandle RJ
(2018)
A novel nematic-like mesophase induced in dimers, trimers and tetramers doped with a high helical twisting power additive.
in Soft matter
Sabbadin F
(2018)
An ancient family of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases with roles in arthropod development and biomass digestion.
in Nature communications
Sims M
(2018)
Considerations in the determination of orientational order parameters from X-ray scattering experiments
in Liquid Crystals
Mandle RJ
(2018)
Optically active bimesogens incorporating branched central spacers.
in RSC advances
Becerra-Rivera VA
(2018)
Polyamines are required for normal growth in Sinorhizobium meliloti.
in Microbiology (Reading, England)
Pocock EE
(2018)
Molecular shape as a means to control the incidence of the nanostructured twist bend phase.
in Soft matter
Mandle R
(2018)
A Nanohelicoidal Nematic Liquid Crystal Formed by a Non-Linear Duplexed Hexamer
in Angewandte Chemie
Burns EE
(2018)
Temporal and spatial variation in pharmaceutical concentrations in an urban river system.
in Water research
Smith RK
(2018)
Detection of opium alkaloids in a Cypriot base-ring juglet.
in The Analyst
Besser K
(2018)
Hemocyanin facilitates lignocellulose digestion by wood-boring marine crustaceans.
in Nature communications
Digomann D
(2019)
The CD98 Heavy Chain Is a Marker and Regulator of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Radiosensitivity.
in Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
Liang J
(2019)
A subcompatible rhizobium strain reveals infection duality in Lotus.
in Journal of experimental botany
Schröder S
(2019)
Dynamic and Functional Profiling of Xylan-Degrading Enzymes in Aspergillus Secretomes Using Activity-Based Probes
in ACS Central Science
Mandle RJ
(2019)
Orientational order in the splay nematic ground state.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Description | This grant was to upgrade the equipment base in the department. This has been achieved. |
Exploitation Route | The new equipment is in constant use and underpins many current scientific investigations |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | This award was to upgrade key departmental equipment. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Economic |