Case Studies

NCS data is enabling transformative multidisciplinary science via new collaborations with chemists. We study the properties of compounds to develop new materials that will address the needs of future industry.

Observing the formation of a chemical bond

Grant Reference Number or Facility Name: Nottingham Trent University accessing National Crystallography Service, University of Southampton

One sentence summary: Novel research involving Southampton’s National Crystallography Service (NCS) is using newly developed solid-state NMR techniques combined with ultra-high resolution single crystal X-ray diffraction to enable chemists to ‘see’ how a chemical bond is formed.

One paragraph summary: Using high-resolution quantum crystallography, results from the NCS are supporting research from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Warwick to monitor the different stages of a chemical reaction i.e. the formation of a chemical bond. These results are correlated with those from Solid-State NMR at the University of Warwick and enabled the parameterising and benchmarking of entirely new methods to follow this kind of behaviour.

Southampton’s National Crystallography Service helping researchers tackle key societal challenges

Grant Reference Number or Facility Name: School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow accessing National Crystallography Service, University of Southampton

One sentence summary: The University of Glasgow’s School of Chemistry are one of the most prolific users of Southampton’s National Crystallography Service.

One paragraph Summary: Data collected by the National Crystallography Service (NCS), at the University of Southampton, is enabling researchers at the University of Glasgow to explore the answers to some of the key challenges facing our world today such as the capture and storage of CO2

Applications of luminescent coordination complexes

Grant Reference Number or Facility Name: Cardiff University accessing National Crystallography Service, University of Southampton

One sentence summary: Crystallography data is helping transform healthcare imaging and treatment with the development of luminescent metal-containing compounds.

One paragraph summary: Data from the University of Southampton’s National Crystallography Service (NCS) is helping academics at Cardiff University develop luminescent metal-containing compounds that could transform biological imaging and help in the global fight against cancer and other medical conditions.

Radiation damage in chemical crystallography

Grant Reference Number or Facility Name: RCUK/D/EPSRC/Facilities/XRC/10, National Crystallography Service, University of Southampton

One sentence summary: World-leading research aims to reveal cause of radiation damage in chemical crystallography

One paragraph Summary: Scientists at Southampton’s National Crystallography Service are global leaders in innovative research to minimise the X-ray radiation damage caused to small molecule crystals during analysis.

Designing molecules for light harvesting and charge transport

Grant Reference Number or Facility Name: Dr Peter Holliman, Bangor University

One sentence summary: Developing large scale, affordable solar panels that could revolutionise the renewable energy industry.

One paragraph Summary: Data from the National Crystallography Service (NCS), at the University of Southampton, is helping chemists at Bangor University develop integrated solar panels that could significantly impact our future energy supplies.

Topologically directed discovery of functional co-ordination materials

Grant Reference Number or Facility Name: University of Sussex, Dr George Kostakis, accessing National Crystallography Service, University of Southampton.

One sentence summary: Data from the University of Southampton’s National Crystallography Service (NCS) is helping chemists at the University of Sussex address major challenges in synthetic chemistry to produce functional and transformative materials