A5056078189- Skin Protection and Aging
- Photochemistry and Electron Transfer Studies
- Light effects on plants
- Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Lanthanide and Transition Metal Complexes
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Photoacoustic and Ultrasonic Imaging
- Electron Spin Resonance Studies
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Advanced Chemical Physics Studies
- Radical Photochemical Reactions
- Combustion and flame dynamics
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Research
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Biochemical and biochemical processes
- Scientific Measurement and Uncertainty Evaluation
- Free Radicals and Antioxidants
- Plant responses to elevated CO2
- Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
University of Warwick
2020-2025
University of Toronto
2023
Food production and food security are fast becoming some of the most pressing issues 21st century. We developing environmentally responsible molecular heaters to help boost crop growth expand geographic areas capable supporting growth. Sinapic diacid (SDA) is such a molecule, that can act as light-to-heat agent, converting solar energy into heat delivered plant. have characterised photophysical properties SDA extensively, using combination steady-state ultrafast laser spectroscopy techniques...
The sparsity of efficient commercial ultraviolet-A (UV-A) filters is a major challenge toward developing effective broadband sunscreens with minimal human- and eco-toxicity. To combat this, we have designed new class Meldrum-based phenolic UV-A filters. We explore the ultrafast photodynamics coumaryl Meldrum, CMe, sinapyl Meldrum (SMe), both in an industry-standard emollient on synthetic skin mimic, using femtosecond transient electronic vibrational absorption spectroscopies computational...
Light-to-heat conversion materials generate great interest due to their widespread applications, notable exemplars being solar energy harvesting and photoprotection. Another more recently identified potential application for such is in molecular heaters agriculture, whose function protect crops from extreme cold weather extend both the growing season geographic areas capable of supporting growth, all which could help reduce food security challenges. To address this demand, a new series...
Sinapoyl malate, naturally present in plants, has proved to be an exceptional UV filter and molecular heater for plants. Although there are nowadays industrially relevant sustainable synthetic routes sinapoyl its incorporation into certain cosmetic formulations, as well adsorption on plant leaves, is limited by hydrophilicity. To overcome these obstacles, it important find a way effectively control the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of malate make readily compatible with formulations stick...
The recent ban of some organic UV-filters – such as oxybenzone or octinoxate considered toxic for coral reef, has heightened the need eco-friendly alternatives, especially those synthesized using green approaches that reduce carbon footprint. In this context, several thiobarbituric acid derivatives were synthetized from bio-based p-hydroxybenzaldehydes (e.g. vanillin, syringaldehyde) through a high-yielding sustainable Knoevenagel condensation, and their UV-filtering activity, stability...
The development of future quantum devices such as the maser, i.e., microwave analog laser, could be well-served by exploration chemically tunable organic materials. Current iterations room-temperature solid-state masers are composed an inert host material that is doped with a spin-active molecule. In this work, we systematically modulated structure three nitrogen-substituted tetracene derivatives to augment their photoexcited spin dynamics and then evaluated potential novel maser gain media...
Abstract Sinapate esters have been extensively studied for their potential application in ‘nature-inspired’ photoprotection. There is general consensus that the relaxation mechanism of sinapate following photoexcitation with ultraviolet radiation mediated by geometric isomerization. This has largely inferred through indirect studies involving transient electronic absorption spectroscopy conjunction steady-state spectroscopies. However, to-date, there no direct experimental evidence tracking...
Para-hydroxy methylcinnamate is part of the cinnamate family molecules. Experimental and computational studies have suggested conflicting non-radiative decay routes after photoexcitation to its S1(ππ*) state. One route involves intersystem crossing mediated by an optically dark singlet state, whilst other direct a triplet Furthermore, irrespective mechanism, lifetime initially populated state yet be accurately measured. In this study, we use time-resolved ion-yield photoelectron...
Plants, as with humans, require photoprotection against the potentially damaging effects of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Previously, sinapoyl malate (SM) was identified photoprotective agent in thale cress. Here, we seek identify a similar plant, garden cress, which is currently used skincare product Detoxophane nc. To achieve this, explore photodynamics both cress sprout extract and nc femtosecond transient electronic absorption spectroscopy. With assistance liquid...
Solar exposure of avobenzone, one the most widely used commercial UVA filters on market, is known to cause significant degradation. This finding has fueled research into developing photostabilizer molecules. In an effort provide insight their stand-alone photoprotection properties, excited state dynamics photostabilizer, 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene) pentane-2,4-dione (TMBP), and its phenolic derivative, 3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene) (DMBP), were studied with ultrafast transient...
Abstract Food security is fast becoming one of the most pressing issues 21 st century. With increasing climate instability, crop growth now routinely affected by adverse weather patterns, which can result in reduced yields and even death. We are developing an environmentally responsible molecular heater to help boost plant growth, expand geographic regions suitable for such protect plants against cold weather. Our heater, sinapic diacid (SDA, 2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)malonic...