Research
Research in the Dove group is centered around polymer degradation. We have many strands to our research portfolio that focus on both developing strategies to control and understand polymer degradation as well as design new materials that degrade in a controlled and predictable manner. Our research efforts are in turn primarily focussed on sustainability on polymer science – that includes both ‘green’ methodologies for polymer synthesis and development of strategies to tackle plastic waste – as well as the development of next generation biomaterials – in which we seek to design materials for application in delivery and tissue engineering applications. Linking both areas is our interest in polymer stereochemistry and how that can be used to control materials properties and direct their behaviour. We work with engineers, biologists and medics across academia, hospitals and industry to drive our chemical discoveries towards application. Find out more about these areas below:
We are focussed on the development of new (organo)catalytic methodologies to both make new polymers and degrade waste plastics into useful higher value products. Our interests also extend into the development of efficient ‘click’ chemistry methods for the synthesis and functionalisation of degradable polymeric materials as well as developing new materials from sustainable feedstocks. Find out more.
Stereochemistry in polymer materials has recieved relatively little study yet has a significant impact on the properties and performance of the resultant material. Our interests are focussed on both designing new methods to create polymers with high levels of stereocontrol as well as investigating how their stereochemistry affects their properties and the ultimate function of the material. Find out more.
Our research focusses on controlling their properties across the length scales to create translatable new biomaterials. We work with elastomers and hydrogels (macroscopic control over degradability and mechanical properties), 3D printed scaffolds and microparticle by emulsion methods (microscale control over structure) and nanopartciles (nanoscale self assembly and ordering). Find out more.
We have a large number of publications in each of these areas to outline our original research themes and have published numerous review and perspective articles in several areas related to our research.
The group is housed in recently refurbished modern laboratories and has access to outstanding equipment and facilities that enable the full characterisation of our materials over the range of techniques required.