Molecular Laser Party

I will be presenting the field of supramolecular chemistry, which about how molecules interact with other molecules. We can harness these interactions to build supramolecular “architectures” (think Lego but with molecules). This can pave the way for us to build nano-scale machines and devices for applications in medicine, computing and engineering. I will briefly present my own research on using supramolecular chemistry to control the polarisation of light as a way of storing information.

We will explore the nature of photo-responsive crystalline materials, trying to understand how the design and crystalline packing of molecules have a large effect on their photo-responsive nature. The talk will focus on crystalline materials exhibiting different types of photo-responsive behaviours, including photo-chromic and optical materials used in today’s OLEDs, photo-mechanical response used in developing molecular machines, and finally photo-induced carving, a brand new effect in which a material can be carved and engraved with micrometre precision using a low powered laser

If you think of crystals you will likely picture a diamonds' brilliance or the magic of gemstones. But wait, there's so much more! Zooming in on metals at the microscopic level, intricate atomic patterns emerge to form crystals. Crystallography unlocks the secrets of these structures, revealing how they shape a material's unique properties. It's like discovering the symmetrical and repetitive beauty of your grandma's wallpaper! Hold on to your pint and let the wonders of crystals unfold!