PROGRAMMABLE BIOMIMETIC PHOTONIC MATERIALS
OUR VISION
The absorption of light by molecules leads to the formation of molecular excited states, consisting of electron-hole pairs, called excitons. Control of excitons is essential for many new and emerging technologies identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy as being vital to the economic success of the UK, including solar energy capture, photocatalysis, quantum technologies, and the design of diagnostic devices for personalised medicine.
The goal of our five year, £7.25M programme is to explore an entirely new approach to the design of molecular photonic materials that could extend excitation transfer distances from nm to cm.
We are grateful to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for funding our research.
In a molecular photonic breadboard, synthetic biological antenna complexes (like the tetrahelical proteins shown here) organise pigments in nanoscale regions of space, thus controlling excitonic coupling. Incorporation of a plasmon mode with an associated field (E) enables polaritonic control of energy transfer, and manipulation of ultra-fast non-local couplings (red arrow). Large numbers of such plexcitonic complexes can be assembled to form macroscopically extended films.
Light is the source of most life on earth; it is important in art, technology and healthcare, and it can also help us to tackle the climate crisis. Nature uses beautiful molecular structures called light-harvesting complexes to drive photosynthesis in plants and bacteria.
This film describes in simple, accessible language how we are drawing inspiration from these exquisite structures to design new molecules that can be combined with the quantum nature of light to create sustainable materials for solar energy capture and for use in optoelectronic devices like mobile phones and televisions.
LightFest - Sheffield's Millenium Gallery - Festival Trailer
Thursday 13 March to Sunday 16 March 2025
Late night Discovery Night: Thursday 13 March from 4-8pm
Ignite your curiosity in a free, hands-on scientific exhibition about light, the quantum world and a greener future!
LightFest will introduce you to the quantum nature of light, and some of the ways that light is important in life, technology and art.
Discover how plants convert sunlight into food and explore the remarkable ways that light interacts with nanostructured materials. Find out how photosynthesis inspires scientists to develop new technologies to solve the greatest challenge facing humanity today: how to live sustainably on Earth.
ASC San Diego - March 2025
Biomimetic and bioinspired design and assembly of nanostructures, materials and devices
A Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry Symposium to be held at the Spring 2025 ACS National Meeting
Symposium organisers: Graham Leggett, University of Sheffield and Stefan Zauscher, Duke University
Nature offers a rich source of inspiration for the design and assembly of nanostructures, materials, and devices, where interfaces play a central role in their function. In biology, cellular membranes are equipped with pumps, gates, motors, and other functional elements. Compartmentalized systems, such as mitochondria and the chromatophore vesicles of photosynthetic bacteria, are crucial in regulating energy flow. While evolution provides abundant inspiration for material and device design, natural systems aim to grow and replicate, whereas engineered materials and devices are designed to meet human needs. The fundamental challenge lies in drawing inspiration from natural systems and adapting it for anthropomorphic purposes. Simply copying biological systems will only replicate biology, but successfully integrating abiotic materials, and mechanisms with biologically inspired design concepts offers the potential to transform the engineering of materials and devices.
Deadline for abstracts: 30/9/24
NEWS
SUMMER 2024
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Postdoctoral Turner prize winner - Evelin Csanyi
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Faculty of Science Postdoctoral prize winner - Ed Johnson
PUBLICATIONS
WINTER 2024-25
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"Confinement and Catalysis within De Novo Designed Peptide Barrels", J. Am. Chem. Soc.
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"Covalent Capture of Nanoparticle-Stabilized Oil Droplets via Acetal Chemistry Using a Hydrophilic Polymer Brush", Langmuir
CONTACT US
To solve our grand challenge, we have brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts from across the following three UK research institutions, and lead by The University of Sheffield.
If you would like to find out more, please get in touch.
Project lead: Professor Graham Leggett
Project Manager: Christina Metcalfe
