We develop materials (often stimuli-responsive polymer-based materials that interact with electricity, light and magnetism). We engage with academics, charities, industry and healthcare providers (e.g. the UK National Health Service, NHS) to undertake and deliver projects (e.g. research, outreach) with impact, such engagement is frequent, productive and warmly welcomed.
We enjoy the highly interdisciplinary nature of our research, and are highly collaborative. Our highly interdisciplinary research involves expertise in a combination of chemistry, engineering, materials science, pharmacy and biology. We assemble and develop multidisciplinary teams of researchers working in a highly collaborative fashion towards transdisciplinary outcomes. We appreciate high quality discipline-specific training and enjoy applying this knowledge to solve problems at the interface of different disciplines.
We enjoy working with industry to assist in the development and understanding of materials for a variety of technical and biomedical applications. We have years of experience in chemistry (analytical, materials, polymers and synthesis), engineering (biomedical, chemical), materials science and pharmacy. We offer access to a range of excellent equipment and the expertise to analyse the resulting data. We are happy to plan projects openly discussing the range and scope of deliverables to suit our collaborator's needs. We offer opportunities for both short-term and long-term collaborative work evidenced by intellectual property and publications in the scientific literature with our industrial collaborators.
We warmly welcome researchers from a variety of career stages from around the world; folks from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America have been in the group so far.
Please contact Dr Hardy via email to arrange an appointment to discuss opportunities to join the group: j.g.hardy@lancaster.ac.uk
Please include a CV and ensure that it clearly details your education and experience (particularly familiarity with experimental techniques), publications/patents, and any other relevant activities; for an excellent CV template use the Europass Editor.
We have an interest in the development of electroactive (and conducting) materials for technical and medical applications, which typically take the form of organic electronic materials (OEMs). OEMs are typically comprised of fullerenes (Bucky balls or nanotubes), graphene/graphene oxide, or conjugated polymers (e.g. polyaniline, polypyrrole or polythiophene). Importantly, derivatives of these are commercially available allowing researchers to tailor the properties of the OEMs either through chemical modification or the generation of composites, with a view to their use for technical applications (e.g. diodes, solar cells, transistors) and medical applications (e.g., drug delivery, electrodes for the nervous system, theranostics). The optical properties (e.g., high fluorescence yield, high photostability) of organic electronic nanoparticles allows them to be imaged, and chemical modification of the nanoparticles facilitates complex formation with their therapeutic payload and targeting to specific cells, potentially yielding particles capable of simultaneous diagnostic, imaging and therapeutic activity. We are particularly interested in conjugated polymers (e.g. derivatives of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene [especially PEDOT]) and degradable versions thereof (i.e. transient electronics). Check out our publications. Check out our IP.
We have an interest in the development of photoactive materials for technical and medical applications, which typically take the form of light-responsive polymers. The polymers are designed to respond to light (UV or NIR) by actuation (movement) or releasing a drug; and ideally capable of simultaneous diagnostic, imaging and therapeutic activity. Check out our publications. Check out our IP.
We have an interest in the development of magnetoactive materials for technical and medical applications, which typically take the form of composites of inorganic and organic matter. The materials are designed to respond to magnetic fields by actuation (movement) which may trigger the release of a drug; and ideally capable of simultaneous diagnostic, imaging and therapeutic activity. Check out our publications. Check out our IP.
We have very broad interests in materials for technical and medical applications, and are willing to engage in research that conforms to research ethics (a worldwide set of principles governing the way any research involving interaction between the researcher(s) and other life or data relating to life, is designed, managed and conducted). Weird stuff can be challenging and fun, and must therefore be planned appropriately to ensure a realistic and mutually acceptable outcome is agreed before it is commenced (principles we adhere to for all projects).
We believe in the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) because of its importance in our employability and happiness. We encourage and support group members and collaborators to engage in CPD activities (e.g. those outlined within the Researcher Development Framework (RDF)), and to obtain professional accreditation/status (e.g. status as a Chartered Chemist (CChem), Chartered Biologist (CBiol), Chartered Scientist (CSci), Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Manager (CMgr), Registered Scientist (RSci), Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), etc.) via a professional body (e.g. Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society of Biology, Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, Institution of Engineering Technology, Science Council, Chartered Management Institute).
We firmly support the Technician Commitment initiative led by the Science Council (supported by the Gatsby Foundation), and routinely include technical support staff as co-authors on publications (research, teaching and industrial reports) and named investigators on projects supported by various funding routes.
Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competences as the producers of the work (i.e. peers). The process of peer review functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field, and underpins the quality of academic and non-academic work. Owing to its fundamental importance (and acknowledging its imperfections) team members are encouraged to undertake CPD activities to help prepare them to deliver effective and fair peer review (e.g. for publications, grant applications, etc.), examples of relevant courses are delivered by the American Chemical Society, Elsevier and Web of Science.