Professor Peter M. Budd

School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.

Telephone: ++161 275 4711

Email: Peter.Budd@manchester.ac.uk

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Welcome to the fascinating world of molecules and macromolecules.

We carry out fundamental research on polymers and their interactions with small molecules. We seek to apply our knowledge for the benefit of society and are developing novel materials and energy-efficient processes for molecular separations and transformations.

POLYMERS THAT BEHAVE AS MOLECULAR SIEVES

In Manchester, we have invented a novel range of polymers, referred to as polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs), which have rigid, contorted molecular structures. In the solid state the polymer molecules cannot pack together efficiently, so the material behaves like a sieve for small molecules (i.e., it has micropores, holes smaller than 2 nanometers).

MEMBRANES THAT SELECTIVELY TRANSPORT MOLECULES

A membrane may be used to separate mixtures of gases or liquids into their components. To be useful, a membrane material needs to be both highly selective (i.e., one type of molecule must pass through more easily than others) and highly permeable (i.e., it must let a lot through).

MATERIALS FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS

A major challenge is to ensure a clean and sustainable energy future. In order to tackle the problem of global warming, we are developing materials for carbon capture.

Fuel cells convert energy in a fuel (e.g., hydrogen) directly into electricity. We are developing materials for hydrogen storage and are exploring novel polymer electrolytes for fuel cells.

**NEWS**
SHORT POSTDOCTORAL PROJECT:	We have a vacancy for a short-term (3 month) postdoctoral appointment to start immediately. This is a collaborative project involving the Schools of Materials and Dentisty. The project will involve the synthesis and characterization of polyelectrolytes for application in tissue engineering.
	DoubleNanoMem Consortium in Bergamo In January, members of the DoubleNanoMem consortium met in Bergamo,Italy.
ACS Fall Meeting, Denver Members of our Materials World Network consortium met during the ACS Fall Meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA. Research results were presented in a symposium on "Porous Polymers".
	Micromeritics grant award Micromeritics have donated an extended pressure sorption analyser to support colllaborative research on nanoporous materials. Press release
Membrane meetings, Amsterdam and Leuven Peter Budd gave a keynote lecture and Chris also spoke at the International Congress on Membranes (ICOM2011) in Amsterdam. Afterwards, members of the DoubleNanoMem consortium met in Leuven, Belgium.
	International Conference on Materials Chemistry (MC10) MC10, chaired by Peter Budd, was held at the University of Manchester, 4-7 July 2011. Nearly 500 delegates attended the conference, which included excellent plenary lectures from Jean-Marie Lehn (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1987), Omar Yaghi (RSC Centenary Prize 2010), Michael Graetzel (Millenium Technology Prize 2010), Seth Marder, Joanna Aizenberg and Kostya Novoselov (Nobel Prize in Physics 2010). Alex, Louise, Jon and Hosna acted as stewards. Chris and Alex gave oral presentations.
Student visit to Italy Last May, Alex spent three weeks at the Institute on Membrane Technology in Italy, carrying out permeation experiments.

Updated 24 January 2012