Recipients of the inaugural SCGC–FIRST awards announced
27 March 2024
Chemistry Engineering Funding Materials science
SCGC-FIRST is a major new award scheme to develop novel ideas and nascent research from Oxford’s laboratories into environmental sustainability solutions for the global chemicals industry. The four chosen projects exemplify innovation and promise to accelerate sustainable technology development.
Boost to doctoral training will support leading research in areas of national importance
12 March 2024
Chemistry Energy Funding MPLS Materials science Physics Statistics Teaching
The UK’s biggest-ever investment in engineering and physical sciences doctoral skills, totalling more than £1 billion nationwide, has been announced today by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. It includes funding for over 300 fully-funded DPhil studentships at Oxford in strategic research areas.
Oxford early career researchers shine in Parliamentary competition
6 March 2024
Award Chemistry Computer science Engineering MPLS Maths Medical science Physics
Thirteen early career researchers from Oxford were finalists at this year’s STEM for BRITAIN event, held on Monday at the Houses of Parliament, with three winning awards in their categories.
Like charges attract?
1 March 2024
It’s not only opposites that attract – new study shows like-charged particles can come together
Oxford scientists launch ambitious roadmap for a circular carbon plastics economy
1 February 2024
Chemistry Research Sustainability & the environment
Researchers from the Department of Chemistry/Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Plastics have outlined ambitious targets to help deliver a sustainable and net zero plastic economy, arguing for a rethinking of the technical, economic, and policy paradigms that have entrenched the status-quo.
MPLS researchers honoured in 2024 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists
17 January 2024
Associate Professors Fernanda Duarte and Jayne Birkby have been named as Finalists in the 2024 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK. The prestigious awards celebrate the past accomplishments and future potential of the UK’s most innovative young scientists and engineers.
Unlocking more sustainable futures with green chemistry
28 November 2023
Chemistry Energy Research Sustainability & the environment
A feature article about three Oxford research groups using chemistry to help reach sustainability goals. From solving global plastic pollution to improving the performance of rechargeable batteries found in electric cars, ‘green chemistry’ is a truly promising topic.
University and SCG Chemicals launch £1m SCGC-FIRST fund to accelerate sustainable technology development in the chemicals industry
10 November 2023
Chemistry Computer science Engineering Innovation and Enterprise Materials science Maths
SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC), part of the Siam Cement Group (SCG) and one of the largest integrated chemical companies in Asia, has agreed a major new award scheme to develop novel ideas and nascent research from Oxford’s laboratories into environmental sustainability solutions for the global chemicals industry.
Meet the winners of Oxford’s Jamie Ferguson Innovation Awards 2023
12 October 2023
Award Chemistry Innovation and Enterprise
The second year of the Jamies Awards deliver ideas that tackle plastic waste, drug discovery, and bad coffee.
Oxford researchers develop 3D printing method that shows promise for repairing brain injuries
4 October 2023
Chemistry Medical science Research
A breakthrough technique developed by University of Oxford researchers could one day provide tailored repairs for those who suffer brain injuries. The researchers demonstrated for the first time that neural cells can be 3D printed to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex.
New ‘droplet battery’ could pave the way for miniature bio-integrated devices
31 August 2023
Chemistry Innovation and Enterprise Research
University of Oxford researchers have made a significant step towards realising miniature bio-integrated devices, capable of directly stimulating cells. The work has been published in the journal Nature.
No evidence for magnetic field effects on fly behaviour
9 August 2023
A team including Oxford chemists has shown that influential reports of magnetic field effects on Drosophila (fruit fly) behaviour cannot be reproduced. Drosophila have been widely used as a model organism for studying the mechanism of the magnetic compass sense of migratory songbirds.
Nanopore technology achieves breakthrough in protein variant detection
8 August 2023
A team of scientists led by the University of Oxford have achieved a significant breakthrough in detecting modifications on protein structures. The method, published in Nature Nanotechnology, employs innovative nanopore technology to identify structural variations at the single-molecule level, even deep within long protein chains.
Revolutionary new method of analysis boosts UK life sciences sector
31 July 2023
Oxford scientists Professor Philipp Kukura, Professor Justin Benesch, Dr Gavin Young, and Daniel Cole have pioneered a new technique known as mass photometry (MP). MP is a revolutionary new method of analysing molecules. It enables the accurate mass measurement of single molecules in solution, in their native state and without the need for labels. This approach opens up new possibilities for bio analytics and research into the functions of biomolecules, with new applications in the world of gene and cell therapy.
Oxford chemists achieve breakthrough achievement: hazard-free production of fluorochemicals
21 July 2023
For the first time, Oxford chemists have generated fluorochemicals – critical for many industries – without the use of hazardous hydrogen fluoride gas. The team’s innovative method, published this week in the leading journal Science, could achieve an immense impact in improving the safety and carbon footprint of a growing global industry.
Oxford Chemistry researchers synthesise first example of a stable beryllium-beryllium bond
16 June 2023
Scientists in the Department of Chemistry have prepared the first-ever stable compound containing a chemical bond between two beryllium atoms, as described in a paper published in 'Science' and featured in 'New Scientist'.
Six Oxford scientists win Royal Society of Chemistry Prizes
13 June 2023
Award Chemistry Materials science Research
Six researchers from the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Materials have been honoured in this year's Royal Society of Chemistry Research and Innovation Prizes.
Oxford Professor of Chemistry elected to oldest learned US society
7 June 2023
Dame Carol Robinson (Department of Chemistry) is one of a handful of distinguished scholars worldwide to have been elected a Member of the American Philosophical Society (APS) for 2023.
Oxford spin-out HydRegen secures £2.6m to revolutionise sustainable chemical manufacturing
27 April 2023
Chemistry Innovation and Enterprise Spin out
Biotechnology company HydRegen has secured £2.6m in its latest fundraising round, led by Clean Growth Fund, to commercialise its sustainable technologies for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Three MPLS researchers awarded €2.5 million European Research Council Advanced Grants
7 April 2023
Award Biology Chemistry Research
Professor Craig MacLean, Professor Tim Coulson and Professor Dame Carol Robinson have all been awarded the prestigious grants recognising ground-breaking projects.