New techniques for separating and sizing industrial, environmental and biological particles and macromolecules (field-flow fractionation); methods for real-time monitoring of waters and wastewaters based on flow injection analysis; microwave instrument development ('millijet'); analysis of gas molecules using fluorescence spectra; rare earth elements in minerals using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; infrared spectroscopy for use in medical diagnosis; development of inexpensive microprocessor controlled analytical instrumentation for teaching and research.
Elucidation of enzyme mechanisms through the study of model reactions and by the design of mechanism based inhibitors; modelling metalloproteins and metal-induced biological processes; anchored complexes in protein separation; design and testing of pharmaceuticals including anti-cancer and anti-ulcer agents.
Fabrication and properties of microelectrodes and chemically modified electrodes; on-line monitoring of metals in process streams; theory of voltammetry -- electrode kinetics; development of electrochemical instrumentation; redox properties of organometallic and coordination compounds; electrochemical synthesis; spectroscopic identification of electrochemically generated intermediates in unusual oxidation states; bioinorganic electrochemistry; photoelectrochemistry and electrochemical catalysis; solar cells.
Nutrient cycling in aquatic systems; aquatic colloid chemistry; pollutant speciation transport and fate in aquatic environments; microbial ecology of lowland rivers; behaviour of organic phosphates in aquatic environments; the role of natural organic matter in aquatic ecosystems.
New processes with less waste, energy requirements, less or no solvents and developing new synthetic pathways. This includes replacing organic solvents by water, supercritical CO2 and ionic liquids, the use of aqueous based catalyst systems, the use of microwave energy in chemical reactions, new energy efficient materials together with the development of new, appropriate analytical methods. Green mineral processing including alternatives to the cyanide gold extraction process, soil chemistry, organic amendments in treatment of environmentally compromised soils, chemistry of hard substances.
Structure and reactivity of coals, controlled release technology, non-linear optical materials; molecular recognition used in the extraction and purification of sugars; purification of fullerenes.
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