Supramolecular Assemblies as Nanoscale Devices to Control Chemical and Physical Processes

The aims of this project are: i) to develop molecular reaction vessels to enhance the rates and control the outcomes of chemical processes; ii) to design and construct supramolecular species with a range of topologies; and iii) to explore the potential use of these supramolecular assemblies as thermal and photochemical switches and molecular tweezers, and as the basis for molecular machines and microelectronic devices. The research is expected to provide new and efficient methods for bench-top and industrial scale synthesis of chemicals in water, as well as fundamental advances in nanotechnology to underpin new industries based on advanced materials.