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Understanding Microwave Interactions with Polymers to Enable Advanced Plastic Chemical Recycling (2024)
Journal Article
Adam, M., Hjalmarsson, N., Lee, C. S., Irvine, D. J., Robinson, J., & Binner, E. (2024). Understanding Microwave Interactions with Polymers to Enable Advanced Plastic Chemical Recycling. Polymer Testing, 137, Article 108483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2024.108483

The widespread adoption of plastics has led to substantial production and waste generation, raising environmental concerns. Chemical recycling offers a promising solution to enhance recycling rates, with microwave heating emerging as an attractive te... Read More about Understanding Microwave Interactions with Polymers to Enable Advanced Plastic Chemical Recycling.

Simultaneous geraniol and citronellol transesterification using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase for the production of fragrance and flavour esters: a kinetic study (2024)
Journal Article
Wikaputri, A. S., Irvine, D. J., Stockman, R. A., & Shivaprasad, P. (2024). Simultaneous geraniol and citronellol transesterification using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase for the production of fragrance and flavour esters: a kinetic study. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 16, Article 101186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101186

This study aims to develop, for the very first time, a kinetic model for the simultaneous transesterification of geraniol and citronellol using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase to produce their respective esters. This allows us to test the feasibility... Read More about Simultaneous geraniol and citronellol transesterification using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase for the production of fragrance and flavour esters: a kinetic study.

A potential alternative to fungicides using actives-free (meth)acrylate polymers for protection of wheat crops from fungal attachment and infection (2023)
Journal Article
Crawford, L. A., Cuzzucoli Crucitti, V., Stimpson, A., Morgan, C., Blake, J., Wildman, R. D., …Avery, S. V. (2023). A potential alternative to fungicides using actives-free (meth)acrylate polymers for protection of wheat crops from fungal attachment and infection. Green Chemistry, 25(21), 8558-8569. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3gc01911j

Fungicidal compounds are actives widely used for crop protection from fungal infection, but they can also kill beneficial organisms, enter the food chain and promote resistant pathogen strains from overuse. Here we report the first field crop trial o... Read More about A potential alternative to fungicides using actives-free (meth)acrylate polymers for protection of wheat crops from fungal attachment and infection.

Ring opening polymerisation of ɛ-caprolactone with novel microwave magnetic heating and cyto-compatible catalyst (2023)
Journal Article
Wang, K., Ni, M., Dundas, A. A., Dimitrakis, G., & Irvine, D. J. (2023). Ring opening polymerisation of ɛ-caprolactone with novel microwave magnetic heating and cyto-compatible catalyst. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 11, Article 1123477. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1123477

We report on the ring-opening polymerization of ɛ-caprolactone incorporated with a magnetic susceptible catalyst, FeCl3, via the use of microwave magnetic heating (HH) which primarily heats the bulk with a magnetic field (H-field) from an electromagn... Read More about Ring opening polymerisation of ɛ-caprolactone with novel microwave magnetic heating and cyto-compatible catalyst.

Oxidation of Monoterpenes to Form Diols and Triols: A Versatile Toolbox for Polymer Synthesis (2023)
Journal Article
Fowler, H. R., O'Brien, D. M., Keddie, D. J., Alexander, C., Irvine, D. J., Stockman, R. A., …Taresco, V. (2023). Oxidation of Monoterpenes to Form Diols and Triols: A Versatile Toolbox for Polymer Synthesis. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 224(8), Article 2200446. https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202200446

Polyols and polyacrylates have a wide range of applications in polymer synthesis as monomers, initiators, or building blocks in a variety of polymerization reaction types. With an ever-growing need to reduce the global dependency on fossil fuels, fin... Read More about Oxidation of Monoterpenes to Form Diols and Triols: A Versatile Toolbox for Polymer Synthesis.

Microparticles Decorated with Cell‐Instructive Surface Chemistries Actively Promote Wound Healing (2022)
Journal Article
Latif, A., Fisher, L. E., Dundas, A. A., Crucitti, V. C., Imir, Z., Lawler, K., Pappalard, F., Muir, B. W., Wildman, R., Irvine, D. J., Alexander, M. R., & Ghaemmaghami, A. M. (2024). Microparticles Decorated with Cell‐Instructive Surface Chemistries Actively Promote Wound Healing. Advanced Materials, 36(43), Article 2208364. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202208364

Wound healing is a complex biological process involving close crosstalk between various cell types. Dysregulation in any of these processes, such as in diabetic wounds, results in chronic nonhealing wounds. Fibroblasts are a critical cell type involv... Read More about Microparticles Decorated with Cell‐Instructive Surface Chemistries Actively Promote Wound Healing.

Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers (2022)
Journal Article
Atkinson, R. L., Elsmore, M., Smith, S., Reynolds-Green, M., Topham, P. D., Toolan, D. T., …Howdle, S. M. (2022). Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers. European Polymer Journal, 179, Article 11567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111567

We report the synthesis of novel terpene-based monomers: nopinyl acrylate and methacrylate, from naturally abundant β-pinene. A very high Tg value was observed for poly(nopinyl methacrylate) when synthesised by free radical polymerisation, and well-d... Read More about Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers.

A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction (2022)
Journal Article
Monaghan, O. R., Skowron, S. T., Moore, J. C., Pin-Nó, M., Kortsen, K., Atkinson, R. L., Krumins, E., Lentz, J. C., Machado, F., Onat, Z., Brookfield, A., Collison, D., Khlobystov, A. N., De Focatiis, D., Irvine, D. J., Taresco, V., Stockman, R. A., & Howdle, S. M. (2022). A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction. Polymer Chemistry, 13(39), 5557-5567. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2py00878e

Crosslinking is a valuable route to creating new polymeric materials and normally involves introduction of a cross linker or some form of secondary processing. Here we report the discovery and analysis of a self-crosslinking sustainable terpene deriv... Read More about A self-crosslinking monomer, α-pinene methacrylate: understanding and exploiting hydrogen abstraction.

Exploiting Generative Design for Multi-Material Inkjet 3D Printed Cell Instructive, Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composites (2022)
Preprint / Working Paper
he, Y., Begines, B., Trindade, G., Abdi, M., dubern, J., Prina, E., …Wildman, R. Exploiting Generative Design for Multi-Material Inkjet 3D Printed Cell Instructive, Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composites

As our understanding of disease grows, it is becoming established that treatment needs to be personalized and targeted to the needs of the individual. In this paper we show that multi-material inkjet-based 3D printing, when backed with generative des... Read More about Exploiting Generative Design for Multi-Material Inkjet 3D Printed Cell Instructive, Bacterial Biofilm Resistant Composites.

Investigating the role of solvent type and microwave selective heating on the extraction of phenolic compounds from cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) pod husk (2022)
Journal Article
Dewi, S. R., Stevens, L. A., Pearson, A. E., Ferrari, R., Irvine, D. J., & Binner, E. R. (2022). Investigating the role of solvent type and microwave selective heating on the extraction of phenolic compounds from cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) pod husk. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 134, 210-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2022.05.011

Cacao pod husk (CPH) is a primary waste in the cacao industry that contains favourable natural antioxidants based on phenolic compounds. This study reported an investigation of the effect of extraction parameters to maximise the bioactive yields of C... Read More about Investigating the role of solvent type and microwave selective heating on the extraction of phenolic compounds from cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) pod husk.

Sustainable terpene triblock copolymers with tuneable properties for pressure sensitive adhesive applications (2022)
Journal Article
Elsmore, M., Atkinson, R., Irvine, D., Howdle, S., & De Focatiis, D. (2022). Sustainable terpene triblock copolymers with tuneable properties for pressure sensitive adhesive applications. Polymer Testing, 109, Article 107530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2022.107530

A series of triblock copolymers in a hard-soft-hard block configuration with varying hard block α-pinene methacrylate content and molecular weight and butyl acrylate soft segment have been synthesised and investigated for viability in pressure sensit... Read More about Sustainable terpene triblock copolymers with tuneable properties for pressure sensitive adhesive applications.

Ink-jet 3D printing as a strategy for developing bespoke non-eluting biofilm resistant medical devices (2021)
Journal Article
He, Y., Luckett, J., Begines, B., Dubern, J. F., Hook, A. L., Prina, E., …Wildman, R. D. (2022). Ink-jet 3D printing as a strategy for developing bespoke non-eluting biofilm resistant medical devices. Biomaterials, 281, Article 121350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121350

Chronic infection as a result of bacterial biofilm formation on implanted medical devices is a major global healthcare problem requiring new biocompatible, biofilm-resistant materials. Here we demonstrate how bespoke devices can be manufactured throu... Read More about Ink-jet 3D printing as a strategy for developing bespoke non-eluting biofilm resistant medical devices.

Generation and Characterization of a Library of Novel Biologically Active Functional Surfactants (Surfmers) Using Combined High-Throughput Methods (2021)
Journal Article
Cuzzucoli Crucitti, V., Contreas, L., Taresco, V., Howard, S. C., Dundas, A. A., Limo, M. J., …Irvine, D. J. (2021). Generation and Characterization of a Library of Novel Biologically Active Functional Surfactants (Surfmers) Using Combined High-Throughput Methods. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 13(36), 43290-43300. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c08662

We report the first successful combination of three distinct high-throughput techniques to deliver the accelerated design, synthesis, and property screening of a library of novel, bio-instructive, polymeric, comb-graft surfactants. These three-dimens... Read More about Generation and Characterization of a Library of Novel Biologically Active Functional Surfactants (Surfmers) Using Combined High-Throughput Methods.

Synthesis of model terpene-derived copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide for cosmetic applications (2021)
Journal Article
Bennett, T. M., Portal, J., Jeanne-Rose, V., Taupin, S., Ilchev, A., Irvine, D. J., & Howdle, S. M. (2021). Synthesis of model terpene-derived copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide for cosmetic applications. European Polymer Journal, 157, Article 110621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110621

There is currently a strong drive within the cosmetics industry to replace petroleum based solvents and polymers with renewable alternatives. Copolymers of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA) and maleic anhydride (MA) are interesting model candidates to be... Read More about Synthesis of model terpene-derived copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide for cosmetic applications.

Droplet Microfluidic Optimisation Using Micropipette Characterisation of Bio-Instructive Polymeric Surfactants (2021)
Journal Article
Henshaw, C. A., Dundas, A. A., Cuzzucoli Crucitti, V., Alexander, M. R., Wildman, R., Rose, F. R. A. J., …Williams, P. M. (2021). Droplet Microfluidic Optimisation Using Micropipette Characterisation of Bio-Instructive Polymeric Surfactants. Molecules, 26(11), Article 3302. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113302

Droplet microfluidics can produce highly tailored microparticles whilst retaining monodispersity. However, these systems often require lengthy optimisation, commonly based on a trial-and-error approach, particularly when using bio-instructive, polyme... Read More about Droplet Microfluidic Optimisation Using Micropipette Characterisation of Bio-Instructive Polymeric Surfactants.

RAFT polymerisation of renewable terpene (meth)acrylates and the convergent synthesis of methacrylate-acrylate-methacrylate triblock copolymers (2021)
Journal Article
Atkinson, R. L., Monaghan, O., Elsmore, M. T., Topham, P. D., Toolan, D. T. W., Derry, M. J., …Howdle, S. M. (2021). RAFT polymerisation of renewable terpene (meth)acrylates and the convergent synthesis of methacrylate-acrylate-methacrylate triblock copolymers. Polymer Chemistry, 12(21), 3177-3189. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1py00326g

Terpenes are ideal candidates for sustainable polymer feedstocks, due to their natural abundance and availability from existing waste streams. Previously, we have shown that a range of terpene(meth)acrylate monomers can be synthesised from the most c... Read More about RAFT polymerisation of renewable terpene (meth)acrylates and the convergent synthesis of methacrylate-acrylate-methacrylate triblock copolymers.

Synthesis of water-soluble surfactants using catalysed condensation polymerisation in green reaction media (2021)
Journal Article
Goddard, A. R., Apebende, E. A., Lentz, J. C., Carmichael, K., Taresco, V., Irvine, D. J., & Howdle, S. M. (2021). Synthesis of water-soluble surfactants using catalysed condensation polymerisation in green reaction media. Polymer Chemistry, 12(20), 2992-3003. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1py00415h

Sustainable and biobased surfactants are required for a wide range of everyday applications. Key drivers are cost, activity and efficiency of production. Polycondensation is an excellent route to build surfactant chains from bio-sourced monomers, but... Read More about Synthesis of water-soluble surfactants using catalysed condensation polymerisation in green reaction media.

Discovery of a Novel Polymer for Xeno-Free, Long-Term Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion (2020)
Journal Article
Nasir, A., Thorpe, J., Burroughs, L., Meurs, J., Pijuan‐Galito, S., Irvine, D. J., …Denning, C. (2020). Discovery of a Novel Polymer for Xeno-Free, Long-Term Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 10(6), Article 2001448. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202001448

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be expanded and differentiated in vitro into almost any adult tissue cell type, and thus have great potential as a source for cell therapies with biomedical application. In this study, a fully-defined polymer... Read More about Discovery of a Novel Polymer for Xeno-Free, Long-Term Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Expansion.

A Click Chemistry Strategy for the Synthesis of Efficient Photoinitiators for Two‐Photon Polymerization (2020)
Journal Article
Henning, I., Woodward, A. W., Rance, G. A., Paul, B. T., Wildman, R. D., Irvine, D. J., & Moore, J. C. (2020). A Click Chemistry Strategy for the Synthesis of Efficient Photoinitiators for Two‐Photon Polymerization. Advanced Functional Materials, 30(50), Article 2006108. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202006108

It is reported that efficient photoinitiators, suitable for two‐photon polymerization, can be obtained using the copper catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition reaction. This click chemistry strategy provides a modular approach to the assembly of photoi... Read More about A Click Chemistry Strategy for the Synthesis of Efficient Photoinitiators for Two‐Photon Polymerization.

Discovery of hemocompatible bacterial biofilm-resistant copolymers (2020)
Journal Article
Singh, T., Hook, A. L., Luckett, J., Maitz, M. F., Sperling, C., Werner, C., …Alexander, M. R. (2020). Discovery of hemocompatible bacterial biofilm-resistant copolymers. Biomaterials, 260, Article 120312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120312

© 2020 The Authors Blood-contacting medical devices play an important role within healthcare and are required to be biocompatible, hemocompatible and resistant to microbial colonization. Here we describe a high throughput screen for copolymers with t... Read More about Discovery of hemocompatible bacterial biofilm-resistant copolymers.