Pioneering engineering research at the University of Greenwich
The Carbon Nanomaterials Laboratory at the University of Greenwich’s Medway Campus, which is home to its School of Engineering and portfolio of engineering courses, is a world-leading laboratory for the synthesis, characterisation and study of carbon nanomaterials.
The laboratory was established by Professor Kyriakos Porfyrakis FRSC and includes state-of-the-art equipment. It forms part of the newly formed Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials of the University (CAMM). The Centre is one of only a handful of research centres in Europe capable of controlling the synthesis, purification, characterisation and functionalisation of endohedral fullerenes that contain both metallic (metallofullerenes) and non-metallic N@C60 and N@C70 elements. Carbon nanomaterials have been proposed for many practical uses, from medicine (MRI contrast agents, theranostics, radiotracers) to nanoelectronics and quantum computers that could revolutionise the electronics industry.
The laboratory is separated into two spaces – a laboratory for synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, and a laboratory for purification and functionalisation for the isolation of carbon nanomaterials.
An engineering laboratory equipped with the latest technologies
In the first laboratory, Centre researchers synthesise bespoke endohedral fullerenes and other carbon nanomaterials. It contains a state-of-the-art ion implantation reactor for the synthesis of endohedral fullerenes, including N@C60 and N@C70 –this reactor is the only one of its kind and was designed by Professor Porfyrakis. There is only one other laboratory in Europe capable of the synthesis of this molecule. The laboratory also contains several spectrometers used for advanced characterisation such as a UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer and a fluorescence spectrometer. A model of the N@C60 molecule is shown below.
The second laboratory contains some of the best HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) equipment that exist in the world, including the largest HPLC column available for processing carbon nanomaterials. It is capable of processing materials at a flow rate of 300 mL/min, approaching industrial scale HPLC.
Complete your project under our researchers
The laboratory currently employs a postdoctoral researcher and is in the process of appointing a postgraduate research scholarship student. In addition, several Master's degree students are completing their research projects in the laboratory, supporting the research efforts and learning from the Centre team. To date, more than twenty students on Master’s degree programmes (MSc) or Master of Engineering degree programmes (MEng) have completed projects in the laboratory and have benefited from being able to access the laboratory and see first-hand the research taking place, and to learn from and work alongside these researchers.
The School of Engineering at the University of Greenwich is proud to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research. Our collaborative efforts with industry partners ensure that our research not only advances the field but also directly informs our teaching. This synergy provides our researchers and students with unique opportunities to engage in highly relevant, real-world projects, preparing them to excel in their future careers.
Dr Rasoul Khandan, Head of School of Engineering
The Centre are currently working on a number of research projects in collaboration with other groups within the University such as in the use of fullerenes as hydrogels for tissue engineering. The Centre are also working with the University of Oxford and the University of Lancaster on the use of endohedral fullerenes for miniature atomic clocks. They are also collaborating with several groups in Europe and the United States for research into the use of endohedral fullerenes in quantum nanoelectronics.
If you would like to find out more about the research or how to enrol in a PhD programme with the Centre, please contact Professor Porfyrakis.
