The University of Southampton has become the sixth academic partner of the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC).
The centre that brings together academic research facilities, knowledge and expertise in applied materials chemistry.
Southampton joins the KCMC’s founder institutions Manchester, Liverpool and Bolton universities; recent member University of Bristol; and the Science and Technology Facilities Council at Daresbury.
The aim of the KCMC is to drive industrial growth for UK chemistry-using industries through the coordination, development and exploitation of frontline materials chemistry research.
The award-winning chemistry department at Southampton is particularly focused on the synthesis, processing and application of new materials and functional molecules in areas such as energy and catalysis.
Southampton is working on developments to synthesise diverse classes of inorganic, organic, solid-state and supramolecular materials and assemblies.
The institution has a reputation for using electrochemistry and its applications and expertise in computational methods. It features on-site access to fabrication and cleanroom facilities.
Southampton is home to the UK National Crystallography Service, which supports and develops research in chemistry, biochemistry and physical sciences.
Staff
Leading the KCMC Partnership for the University are:
- Andrew Hector, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry;
- Darren Bradshaw, Associate Professor in Functional Materials / Head of Functional Inorganic Materials and Supramolecular Chemistry.
Ron Swart is starting a new role as KCMC Knowledge Transfer Manager for Southampton.
Swart brings more than 30 years’ experience in industrial research and development to the role, including a broad background in managing multi-disciplinary technical projects across international locations.
He has operated in a wide variety of technical fields, from coating resins through metal extraction chemistry to developments in analytical science. He has a particular interest in interfacial chemistry and colloid science.