Our 2024 Research & Innovation Prize winners

For the development of advanced electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate, structurally define and exploit catalysis by chemical and biological systems.

For pioneering work in developing Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for quantitative chemical analysis.

For the development and application of bioorthogonal approaches in engineering functional protein and carbohydrate based systems.

For pioneering, interdisciplinary contributions to the discovery, understanding and manufacture of defect-tolerant semiconductors for energy conversion and healthcare applications.

For innovative studies on how photophysically active materials and nanostructures may be fabricated for deployment within active biological systems targeting future healthcare solutions, and for excellence in communication.

For innovative studies and applications of complex self-assembling nanosystems, and for excellence in communication.

For outstanding contributions to the understanding and optical manipulation of photon conversion in nanocrystals and their applications in X-ray and light-field imaging, and for excellence in communication.

For the creative use of chemistry-centred tools to provide valuable insights into glycan biology.

For innovation in medicinal chemistry leading to the identification of first in class utrophin modulators for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

For the development of automated glycan assembly as a basis for molecular glycobiology and synthetic carbohydrate vaccines.

For the design, development and application of targeted therapeutics including small molecule-based RNA degradation and conditional activation of chemotherapeutics.

For transformative contributions in polymer and biomaterials science, particularly for the development of materials to stabilise biologics.

For the development of unique probes and methodologies in fluorescence imaging leading to an understanding of dynamic biological processes in living systems, pertinent to health and disease.

For advancing the understanding of the interaction of main-group frustrated Lewis pairs with light.

For new approaches to C–H borylation using zinc catalysts and bis-borane electrophiles.

For outstanding contributions to synthetic coordination chemistry and molecular magnetism.

For synthetic and spectroscopic studies of molecular magnets, particularly supramolecular assemblies that could be used in quantum information processing.

For innovations in high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry methods applied to the understanding of global carbon embedded in complex environmental matrices.

For research on the abundances and fluxes of environmentally harmful gases in the atmosphere, which has contributed to a measurable reduction in emissions of climate forcing and ozone depleting gases.

For pioneering work on the development of ionic liquids as commercially relevant solvents in biorefining and the circular economy.

For contributions to the fundamental understanding of molecular structure and chemical dynamics at hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces through the development of computational simulation methods.

For the development of innovative computational simulation methods to predict molecular dynamics across the timescales of chemistry.

For contributions to the understanding and development of novel electronic materials for solar energy conversion.

For innovative contributions in synthetic cell engineering and biohybrid systems.

For the development of innovative biocatalytic approaches to produce therapeutic oligonucleotides.

For innovative contributions to the understanding of charge transport in networks of two-dimensional materials for the development of printed electronics.

For the creation of a partnership that has delivered a new sustainable fibre packaging solution as an alternative to plastic and glass, which delivers brand equity, product functionality and end of life circularity.

For the discovery of bacterial enzymes for the degradation of lignin, and their application to the conversion of lignin to renewable chemicals.

For interdisciplinary work to realise unprecedented properties in a broad variety of functional oxide devices.

For interdisciplinary research in the synthesis and applications of therapeutic materials.

For understanding charge recombination processes in organic and perovskite semiconductors for high performance photovoltaic and photodetector devices.

For contributions to the development and application of metal-organic frameworks as functional energy materials.

For pioneering new concepts in materials chemistry, catalysis, and nanomaterials and promoting their application and commercialisation in sustainable technologies.

For the development and mechanistic study of new organic synthesis methods based on pnictogen elements.

For pioneering work on the prebiotic synthesis of essential biomolecules including amino acids, peptides and co-factors.

For work on the synthesis and investigation of pi-conjugated macrocycles and new carbon allotropes.

For significant technical leadership and contributions to the delivery of UK-government funded hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects for net-zero.

For major contributions towards the future sustainability of production plants through improvements to process safety, asset effectiveness, throughput, quality and raising apprenticeship awareness.

For the development of automated capabilities and upskilling of colleagues in automation, enabling efficient, high-throughput, data-rich experimentation and supporting apprentice wellbeing.

For outstanding contributions to drug discovery through the introduction of a viable biocatalytic workflow able to generate useful quantities of synthetically challenging compounds, and contributions to internal diversity, equity and inclusion and outreach in the local community.

For extraordinary contributions encompassing groundbreaking advancements in synthesis, photochemistry, organometallic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, drug delivery, and translational science of profound research and societal impact.

For the development of outstanding glass-blowing expertise supporting research and teaching nationally and internationally, over nearly four decades.

For outstanding application of knowledge and teamwork to produce 20 years of robust, high-quality air pollutant data for three of the UK’s air quality networks, advancing science, informing policy makers, and protecting the health of the public.

For technical innovations that enable research breakthroughs across the School of Chemistry, and translation of technical expertise beyond, in times of calm and crisis.

For contributions to the development of functional thin films as transparent conducting oxides, photocatalysts and heterojunction photoanodes for photoelectrochemical applications.

For pioneering work on solar chemistry, developing devices that capture sunlight and produce sustainable fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide, biomass and plastic waste.

For the development of theoretical methods to explain and predict the electronic and optical properties of organic materials.