[nanoPost] Controlling the delivery of small molecules from nanoporous solids

The bulk of this group’s research concentrates on the manipulation of molecular species to form hierarchical functional structures. This is a bottom-up approach to nanofunctional molecules and materials, and is driven by the need to move towards designer materials that not only have the required functional groups present, but also have suitable architectures on the nanometre length scale. For the most part this work concentrates on the synthesis, characterisation and properties of nanoporous materials.

Innovative synthesis plays a large part in this effort, and they have developed a number of new methodologies. Amongst these are new ways of preparing zeolite analogues.

They are currently undertaking aimed at controlling the delivery of small molecules from nanoporous solids. Major targets in this work are all in the medical/physiology areas, where control over the delivery is paramount in obtaining the correct effect. Of particular importance in their targets are ways of developing slow release of gases over extended periods.