Materials and biological physics

The Materials and Biological Physics Group studies a wide range of problems in soft matter, from understanding the fundamental physical principles that underpin life, to the practical applications of organic thin-films.

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Research interests

  • Using steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopic techniques to study electronic structure and excited-state dynamics of conjugated carbon-based materials
  • Understanding singlet exciton fission in polyenes and acenes, and controlling singlet and triplet exciton energies through solid-state and molecular engineering
  • Exploring polymers at surfaces and interfaces: film stability and dewetting; phase separation; diffusion of polymers on surfaces and in films; polymer adsorption
  • Photonic and polaritonic structures and lasers based on thin films of organic and 'hybrid-semiconductor' materials
  • Photovoltaic and light emitting devices based on perovskites and polymeric semiconductors; developing manufacturing processes
  • Investigating future energy systems through collaborative interactions with the public
  • Performance and integration of PV systems into the UK electricity network
  • Understanding the physics of cell motility and cancer metastasis
  • The development of new optical and atomic force microscopy based imaging techniques for understanding living systems
  • The physics of bacterial life, death, and antibiotic resistance

Academic staff and research fellows

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Research Excellence Framework 2021

We have been rated 1st in the UK in terms of the quality of our research. In the latest REF, 100 per cent of research and impact from our department has been classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

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.