Staff
- Academic Staff
- Dr M.N. Ahmad
- Professor S.J. Allen
- Professor S.E.J. Bell
- Professor D.R. Boyd
- Professor R. Burch OBE
- Dr M.J. Cook
- Professor A.P. de Silva
- Dr A.P. Doherty
- Dr N.C. Fletcher
- Dr A. Goguet
- Dr W. P.D.Goldring
- Professor K.J. Hale
- Professor C. Hardacre
- Dr J.D. Holbrey
- Professor P. Hu
- Dr M. Huang
- Dr. J. Jacquemin
- Professor S.L. James
- Dr M.C. Lagunas
- Dr I.C. Lane
- Dr W.F. Lin
- Professor T.R.A. Magee
- Dr P. Manesiotis
- Dr C. Mangwandi
- Professor J. Mann
- Dr H.G. Manyar
- Dr A.C. Marr
- Dr P.C. Marr
- Professor J.J. McGarvey
- Professor A. Mills
- Dr M.J. Muldoon
- Dr P. Nockemann
- Professor E.V. Rebrov
- Professor D.W. Rooney
- Professor K.R. Seddon
- Dr G.N. Sheldrake
- Dr P.J. Stevenson
- Dr K. Tchabanenko
- Dr J. Thompson
- Dr J.S. Vyle
- Professor G.M. Walker
- Dr P.J. Walsh
- All Staff
Professor Steven E J Bell
Professor S.E.J. Bell
BSc (Queen’s University of Belfast), 1982
PhD (Queen’s University of Belfast), 1986
Director of Research, IMM
Chair of Physical Chemistry
Tel: + 44 (0) 28 9097 4470
Fax: + 44 (0) 28 9097 6524
E-mail: s.bell@qub.ac.uk
Research Keywords
Raman spectroscopyHydrophobic coatings
Forensic science
Nanomaterials
Porphyrins
Research
Our main interests are in preparation and characterisation of innovative materials, particularly through laser based methods. The primary characterisation method is Raman spectroscopy which provides detailed structural information on even the most challenging compounds and chemical systems. This involves extensive collaborations both with other academic research groups and commercial/governmental organizations.
Recent examples of our work on novel materials include:
Preparation of nanostructured superhydrophobic surface coatings and their application across a broad range of technological areas including microfluidics and bioanalysis.
Novel photoactive polymers for replacement lenses to prevent postoperative infection following cataract surgery.
Swellable gels as smart hosts for nanoparticle-based Raman sensors.
Real-time manipulation of 2-dimensional nanoparticle arrays at liquid-liquid interfaces.
Mechanism of a action of a light-activated antibacterial surface coating for replacement lenses used in cataract surgery.
A water drop (8 mm3) on a Cu surface treated with our superhydrophobic coating ?
A model pond skater made from Cu. The model’s legs are superhydrophobic and allow it to stand on the water surface.
The group have over 20 years experience in Raman methods and an extensive suite of spectrometers ranging from commercial microscope-based systems to home-built experimental designs.
Current areas of interest in Raman spectroscopy include:
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy - our fundamental studies of the nanoparticle chemistry which controls the enhancement have allowed us to design systems which enhance challenging samples such as anthrax marker compounds or DNA/RNA mononucleotides.
Understanding the microstructure of dosage-form pharmaceuticals - our work (often in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy, QUB) includes innovative drug delivery system (gels, intravaginal rings, patches) as well as conventional tablets and 3-dimensional mapping of granulation during manufacture.
Forensic science - in collaboration with FSNI we have developed composition profiling of "ecstasy" tablets, discrimination methods for single-layer paint evidence and analysis methods for questioned documents.
Characterization of food - a combination of DFT theory, large experimental studies and multivariate data analysis, including neural networks, are being used to establish robust, non-contact methods for determining quality parameters in meat and lipid-based foodstuffs.
Instrumentation/method development - our very extensive experience in design and construction of laser-based optical systems results in a continuous stream of projects which currently include the "scissors" method for analysis of highly fluorescent compounds and new approaches to high-throughput Raman screening techniques.
SEJB was a Founder/Director of Avalon Instruments, which manufactures Raman spectrometers and acted as Technical Director until its recent purchase by Perkin-Elmer Inc.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of a mononucleotide.
The surface-enhanced Raman spectra of DPA- a marker compound for anthrax spores. Even at concentrations as as low as 1 ppm (0.0001%) the characteristic bands can be detected in just a few seconds.
“Ecstasy” tablets, marked with logos as a form of product branding.
The Raman spectra of 3 tablets with identical logos - the differences mean that the data can be used for drugs intelligence, linking tablets seized from different locations to the same supply chain.
Experimental data give the changes in the Raman spectra on excitation of a porphyrin from the ground (S0) to triplet (T1) states. Density functional calculations (DFT) show that excitation of an electron from b1 and b3 orbitals would give the observed changes.
