
Professor Simon Hall
B.Sc.(Open), Ph.D.(Bristol)
Current positions
Professor of Chemistry
School of Chemistry
Contact
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Research interests
We are interested in complex functional materials and how, by considered control of crystallization, we can alter and improve their functionality. Using templates, be they simple molecular, polymeric or even biological in origin, we gain a deeper understanding into how behaviour such as superconductivity, piezoelectricity, magnetoresistance and ferroelectricity can emerge as a function of crystal morphology in multi-component inorganic systems.
With applications in areas such as energy capture, storage and transmission, electronics, spintronics, non-volatile RAM and sensing, our materials are continually in demand for the next generation of high-performance devices.
Starting from the nexus point of Chemistry and Physics, our group members undertake multi-disciplinary research spanning an incredibly wide range of fields. From biomaterials and organic-inorganic self-assembly, through to high-temperature inorganic synthesis; from computer modelling of minerals and fluorescence spectroscopy to device engineering, our students have the skills required to gain the most complete understanding of the emergence and enhancement of functionality in materials.
We also are heavily involved with controlling polymorphism in organic crystals. Our H2020 FET-Open grant 'MagnaPharm' (www.magnapharm.com) is applying fine control over pharmaceutical cocrystallistion. We are also applying our patented methods of kinetic control over organic crystal growth to agrochemicals, dyestuffs, foodstuffs, semiconductors, solar calls and high-energy materials.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
8083 EP/V047701/1 S Hall
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
04/01/2021 to 03/01/2023
8082 H2020 EUTOMIC 945679
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/06/2020 to 30/11/2021
MagnaPharm
Principal Investigator
Description
The MagnaPharm project, funded under the EU Horizon 2020 'Future and Emerging Technologies' programme, aims to direct polymorphism in pharmaceutical compounds by crystallizing them in high magnetic fields. The ability…Managing organisational unit
School of ChemistryDates
01/01/2017 to 31/12/2019
Thesis supervisions
Novel Approaches to the formation of metastable polymorphs of organic molecules
Supervisors
The role of ionic liquids/deep eutectic solvents in sol-gel syntheses of complex metal oxides
Supervisors
The Crystallisation and Excitonic Luminescence of Molecular Crystals
Supervisors
Development of Nanoporous Carbons from Renewable Lignin Feedstocks for Sustainable Applications
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
18/05/2022Determining Nanorod Dimensions in Dispersion with Size Anisotropy Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Organic Cocrystals of TCNQ and TCNB Based on an Orthocetamol Backbone Solved by Three-Dimensional Electron Diffraction
Crystal Growth and Design
Synthesis of porous high-temperature superconductors via a melamine formaldehyde sacrificial template
Nanoscale Advances
Two New Organic Co-Crystals Based on Acetamidophenol Molecules
Symmetry
3D Electron Diffraction Structure Determination of Terrylene, a Promising Candidate for Intermolecular Singlet Fission
ChemPhysChem