Theory

We use the power of computers and theory to gain a fundamental understanding of chemistry and chemical reactions.

Image describing 4 research areas in the Theory Group. Clockwise from top-left: Ring-currents in porphyrin [(c): Patrick Fowler and Erich Steiner], Electrostatic potential mapped onto electron density for copper helicate complexes [(c) Grant Hill], Formation of Urea in the interstellar medium [(c) Anthony Meijer & Eren Slate; Background-image: Sgr B2 (c) ESO/APEX & MSX/IPAC/NASA], Binding of Pectin on alumina [(c) Natalia Martsinovich & Aneesa Ahmad]
Clockwise from top-left: Ring-currents in expanded porphyrin, ESP mapped onto electron density for copper helicate complexes, Formation of Urea in the ISM [Background: Sgr B2 (c) ESO/APEX & MSX/IPAC/NASA], Binding of pectin on alumina.
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Our Research Group applies the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics to the interpretation, modelling and calculation of the structure, energetics, dynamics, chemical and physical properties of atoms, molecules and materials.

Theory and experiment are complementary: theory has an important role in interpretation of new experimental results, and new experiments challenge us to devise new theories. Therefore, we are involved in many collaborations with experimental groups both inside and outside the department.

Major themes

  • Theory Development - Developing new theories and methods for electronic structure, graph theoretical, and quantum dynamics calculations with a particular emphasis on the development of parallel and GPU-based methods.
  • Computational Chemistry - Mechanism elucidation for reactions from small organic molecules to fuel chemistry, structure and property prediction. Collaborations with many experimental groups, both locally and internationally.
  • Materials Chemistry - Investigation of the structures and properties of new materials, in particular materials with possible applications in solar cells, photocatalysis and sensors.
  • Astrochemistry - Formation of molecules in the interstellar medium with a particular emphasis on reaction on surfaces and the formation of complex organic molecules.
  • Intermolecular Forces - Study of the fundamental interactions between atoms and molecules, and self-assembly of organic molecules into large ordered supramolecular aggregates.
  • Photochemistry - Investigations into the interaction of matter with light for molecules, biomolecular systems, and solid materials. Our calculations are used to explain, underpin, and drive experimental observations in this area.
  • Machine learning - Improving current computational chemistry and electronic structure approaches using the latest techniques from computer science and statistics.

Key publications

Steiner E, Fowler PW. Diamagnetic and paramagnetic ring currents in expanded porphyrins. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry. 2004 Jan;2(1):34-37. 

Slate ECS, et al. Computational studies into urea formation in the interstellar mediumMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 2020 Oct; 497(4):5413–5420.

Shaw RA, Hill JG. A Linear-Scaling Method for Noncovalent Interactions: An Efficient Combination of Absolutely Localized Molecular Orbitals and a Local Random Phase Approximation Approach. J Chem Theory Comput. 2019 Oct 8;15(10):5352-5369.

Gillespie PNO, Martsinovich N. Origin of Charge Trapping in TiO2/Reduced Graphene Oxide Photocatalytic Composites: Insights from Theory. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2019 Sep 4;11(35):31909-31922.

People

For further information about Theory at Sheffield please see the staff page of individual researchers below:

Professor Anthony J. H. M. Meijer

Professor Patrick Fowler FRS (Emeritus)

Dr J. Grant Hill

Dr Natalia Martsinovich

Professor Barry Pickup (Emeritus)

Members of other research clusters active in theory:

Dr Adrien Chauvet

Dr Marco Conte

Dr Michael F. A. Hippler

A global reputation

Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.