ProfessorDermot Brougham

In our group we develop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to understand the interplay of structure and dynamics in condensed matter. Our focus is on multi-scale dynamics in suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles, in soft matter (membranes and hydrogels), and in true solids. The aim of this work is to understand how the macroscopic magnetic (and other) bulk properties emerge from the nano-scale organisation. These insights may lead to new applications, hence we study; (i) Collective and diffusive motions in lipid membranes and in hydrogels, which are critical for the development of drug delivery systems and in regenerative medicine. (ii) Water dynamics within nano-structured materials, where our interest is in next-generation responsive MRI contrast agents. This involves development of new surface chemistries to stabilise individual nanoparticles, and of novel methods for assembling nanoparticles into ordered clusters. (iii) Charge transport in novel conductors. Our interest is in new functional materials for fuel cells and for next generation conducting polymers.