Research
Current Research — Molecular Engineering
We design and synthesize novel materials, and investigate how their properties connect with their molecular structures. We study non-covalent interactions to understand the properties of the molecules, their mechanism of action during interactions with biomacromolecules, and their self-assembly. Our research focus is synthesis, but many other types of experiments like solid-state physics, material science, biological testing, etc, are also performed to explore different types of applications. We also investigate conformational, configurational, electronic, and molecular recognition effects of the synthesized molecules with the help of spectroscopic, crystallographic, and computational techniques through collaboration with physical chemists, inorganic chemists, biologists, and physicists.
Fundamental research on the non-covalent intermolecular interactions
We study the thermodynamic properties of non-covalent interactions formed during the association of small molecules with natural and synthetic supramolecules, quantitatively through systematic experiments (New J. Chem., 2018, 42, 14914-14925, Langmuir, 2019, 86, 11579–11589. ). Such investigation enriches the fundamental knowledge of non-covalent chemistry for an understanding of the key factors that control the properties and the function of complex systems. This kind of knowledge has a deep impact to design new molecules with precise and diverse applications.
Molecular design for biology
We use the knowledge of non-covalent interactions to correlate between activity and structure of a molecule. These results help in the rational designing of molecules for biology, supramolecular chemistry, physics, and material science.
Molecular design for material science
Crystallography and Computation for Intermolecular Interactions Study
