Session 143

New Directions for Catalysts: Advanced Biofuels to Self-Healing Planes

Prof. Duncan Wass, University of Bristol.
18:15, Tuesday 2 October 2018

Catalysts are the technology at the heart of the majority of industrial chemical processes, their ability to selectively and efficiently convert simple chemical building blocks into more advanced materials being crucial in these processes. This lecture will present two new directions for catalysts from my research group. Firstly, the discovery of catalysts for the upgrading of simple alcohols such as (bio) methanol and ethanol into drop-in replacements for liquid fuels such as petrol will be described. We have extended this technology to be tolerant to real fermentation broths, using alcohols drinks such as beer as a model feedstock. Secondly, we have been working on the development of self-healing carbon fibre reinforced composite materials of the type widely used in aerospace applications. Again, catalysts are the technology at the heart of achieving new materials that can repair themselves with almost full recovery of mechanical properties.

Molecules of Murder

Dr. John Emsley, Science Writer.
18:15, Tuesday 9 October 2018

Urban water fingerprinting to inform the state of the environment and public health

Dr. Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, University of Bath
18:15, Tuesday 16 October 2018

A new approach in public health epidemiology utilizing urban water fingerprinting with hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques has been recently pioneered to provide near real-time measurements of public health. Urban water fingerprinting provides anonymised but comprehensive and objective information on the health status of a population and surrounding environment in real time as urban water (sewerage system and receiving aqueous environment) pools the endo- and exogenous biomarkers of that population.
This cutting-edge approach of extracting epidemiological information from urban water emerged from Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE). WBE was developed in a strong cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary collaborative ethos within SCORE (www.score-cost.eu) and SEWPROF teams (www.sewprofitn.eu), and although still in its infancy, WBE is currently used to report on community-wide illicit drug use trends and feeds into the Europe-wide evidence based early warning system by European Agency for Drugs and Drug Addiction (http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/wastewater-analysis).
This talk will introduce the concept and its rapid advances. It will focus on pharmacologically active compounds in urban water and their stereochemistry in the context of environmental risk assessment. It will also explore new avenues in the utilization of urban water fingerprinting in the assessment of population health and health risk prediction.

Mental images and memory processes as therapeutic targets for cocaine use disorder.

Dr. John Marsden, King's College London
18:15, Tuesday 23 October 2018

Addiction is caused by exposure and physical and mental adaptation. Addiction is treatable; but some disorders have proved resistant to medications and psychological therapies. Focusing on cocaine use disorder (CUD), John Marsden will outline learning processes that underpin and maintain CUD and describe the rationale, procedures, preliminary evidence and implications of a novel cognitive therapy.

Smart Materials

Dr. Anna Ploszajski, University College London
18:15, Tuesday 13 November 2018

Smart materials allow solid objects to sense, adapt, morph and respond to their environment. Properties like shape and colour become transient upon changes like temperature, light levels, moisture, pressure or magnetism. Many examples of smart materials exist today, but their widespread adoption has been limited. In this talk, award-winning materials engineer Dr Anna Ploszajski will explore why these remarkable materials have proven so difficult to handle, and where we might expect to see them impact our lives in the future.

Mindreading and interpersonal attraction

Dr. Peter Mitchell, Nottingham University
18:15, Tuesday 20 November 2018

Most humans are good at mindreading, meaning that they are adept in interpreting signals in other's behavior to infer the cause of that behavior. The behavior in question has a proximal cause (an inner state, such as something the person is thinking), which in turn is related with a distal cause (an event in the world that triggered them to think of something in particular). The research I will present will demonstrate that people are surprisingly skilled at inferring the distal cause of others' behavior, suggesting by implication that they can infer others' inner states. Some people are easier to "read" than others. Recent evidence suggests that people who are easy to read also tend to be perceived as being likeable or interpersonally attractive.

Age-related changes in synaptic transmission during cognitive decline.

Dr. Stephen Brickley, Imperial College London
18:15, Tuesday 27 November 2018

Cognitive decline is considered an inevitable consequence of ageing with human brain-imaging studies suggesting that functional changes in connectivity underlies this decline. My laboratory is exploring the hypothesis that cognitive decline is caused by changes in the number and/or the strength of synaptic connections. I will briefly describe the longitudinal behavioural strategies we use to monitor changes in cognitive performance. I will then introduce the automated two-photon imaging and 3D tomography techniques we have developed to trace neuronal connections. Finally, I will discuss the feasibility of combining mGRASP (mammalian GFP reconstitution across synaptic partners) with optogenetics to reveal age-related differences in the synaptic weighting of defined neuronal projections. The aim of this work is to better understand the changes taking place in the brain that could explain the inevitable cognitive decline that is associated with ageing.

Molecules in space: our astrochemical origins

Dr. Catherine Walsh, University of Leeds
18:15, Tuesday 4 December 2018

Molecules are found everywhere in space: in cold and dense clouds in the interstellar medium of galaxies, in planet-forming disks around young stars, and in the atmospheres of hot gas-giant exoplanets. The field of astrochemistry brings together astronomers, physicists, and chemists working on observations, theory, and experiments to increase our understanding of the chemistry that occurs under the extreme conditions in space, and to exploit the information contained within observations that can reveal the chemical, physical, and dynamical properties of astrophysical environments. In this talk I will describe how the origin of complexity seen in our Solar System and that has been exposed in the molecular inventory of comets, has its heritage in the exotic chemistry that happens in the coldest and most quiescent region in space, the interstellar medium. Along the way, I will present results from state-of-the-art space missions and telescopes that are uncovering our astrochemical origins.

3D Printing and its applications across Pharmacy and Chemical Synthesis

Dr. Stephen Hilton
18:15, Tuesday 26 February 2019

This lecture describes the use of 3D printing and its applications in the fields of Chemistry and Pharmacy. This lecture covers our experience of 3D printing and how it changed our research in chemical synthesis and drug delivery. The implications for this and its facilitation of cross-disciplinary research will be described.

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Measuring the Dark Web

Cerys Bradley
18:15, Tuesday 5 March 2019

The Dark Web is a hidden part of our world populated by anonymous users and unknown to search engines. How then, do researchers understand this space? PhD student Cerys Bradley will discuss their research on Dark Net Markets and their role in the online drugs trade and describe how you conduct research on a population deliberately trying to remain hidden. This talk is intended for an audience with little to no prior knowledge of the Dark Web and contains a small interactive element for willing participants.

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The Shocking History of Phosphorus

Dr John Emsley, Science Writer
18:15, Tuesday 9 January 2018

This is the biography of a terrifying chemical element, one that was discovered long before humans were capable of controlling its awesome power. Born of the age of alchemy, and harbouring a kind of mysterious power, it brought wealth to a few and misery to many. For more than 300 years, phosphorus maimed, killed, polluted and burned–sometimes on terrifying scale. Yet such were its perceived benefits that doctors prescribed it, every home contained it, and whole industries were dedicated to its manufacture. It also provoked a reaction among young women workers that is today seen as the start of the feminist movement.

Otherworlds: Psychedelics and Exceptional Experience

David Luke, University of Greenwich
18:15, Tuesday 16 January 2018

Otherworlds the talk is based on the book; a psychonautic scientific trip to the weirdest outposts of the psychedelic terrain, inhaling anything and everything relevant from psychology, psychiatry, parapsychology, anthropology, neuroscience, ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, biochemistry, religious studies, cultural history, shamanism and the occult along the way. Staring the strange straight in the third eye this eclectic exploration of otherworldly entheogenic research delivers a comprehensive and yet ragtaglledy scientific survey of syanaesthesia, extra-dimensional percepts, inter-species communication, eco-consciousness, mediumship, possession, entity encounters, near-death and out-of-body experiences, psi, alien abduction experiences and lycanthropy. Essentially, its everything you ever wanted to know about weird psychedelic experiences, but were too afraid to ask…  ​ 

Dr David Luke is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich where he has been teaching an undergraduate course on the Psychology of Exceptional Human Experience since 2009. His research focuses on transpersonal experiences, anomalous phenomena and altered states of consciousness, especially via psychedelics, having published more than 100 academic papers in this area, including seven books, most recently Otherworlds: Psychedelics and Exceptional Human Experience (2017). David is also director of the Ecology, Cosmos and Consciousness salon at the Institute of Ecotechnics, London, and is a cofounder and director of Breaking Convention: International Conference on Psychedelic Consciousness. He has given over 200 invited public lectures and conference presentations, won both teaching and research awards, organised numerous festivals, conferences, seminars, retreats, expeditions and pilgrimages, and has studied techniques of consciousness alteration from South America to India, from the perspective of scientists, shamans and Shivaites, but increasingly has more questions than answers. 

Ketamine, Glutamate and Brain Imaging

James Stone, Kings College London
18:15, Tuesday 23 January 2018

The recent interest in the potential for ketamine as an antidepressant has led to speculation about the possible mechanisms that might underlie this effect. Although they do not permit the study of intracellular mechanisms, neuroimaging methods allow the study of biologically relevant changes in brain function and neurochemistry, which may help to elucidate the processes underlying the therapeutic benefit of ketamine in patients with depression. In this presentation, I will discuss current theories about the biological underpinnings of the antidepressant effects of ketamine. I will discuss the acute and subacute effects of ketamine on brain glutamate levels, as measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. I will also discuss ketamine effects on functional connectivity, blood flow and neuroreceptor binding, and consider how these might be related to its antidepressant properties. 

From Star Trek to Medical Imaging – the Physics of MRI

Prof. Penny Gowland, Nottingham University
18:15, Tuesday 30 January 2018

MRI is a highly versatile non-invasive medical imaging technique. It is commonly thought of as a method of detecting anatomical abnormalities in radiological diagnosis. However it is also a fantastic technique for studying dynamic changes in physiology and metabolism in both health and disease. This makes it very useful for experimental medicine studies, aiming to better understand and characterize disease and to investigate the mechanisms of different treatments. This talk will explain briefly how MRI works and explain how it can be used across of range of conditions from neurology to obstetrics. 

Analytical techniques to determine material properties of a Tudor Collection

Eleanor Schofield, The Mary Rose Trust
18:15, Tuesday 6 February 2018

The Mary Rose Trust is home to Henry VIIIs warship and many associated artefacts. The collection has a range of artefacts in terms of size, material, degree of degradation and function. It comprises items needed for everyday survival in Tudor times, an impressive array of weapons and also personal items such as clothing, combs and playing dice. This talk will explore some of the analytical techniques used to determine material properties and how this information is used to inform future conservation strategies and ensure this unique collection is kept stable for years to come. 

The Black Stuff: Bitumen and Asphalt

Dr. Fred Parrett- Technical Developments and Chairman SCI London group
18:15, Tuesday 20 February 2018

We drive on it, walk on it, it waterproofs and protects buildings and structures, but many never realise the science, engineering and chemistry behind asphalt and bitumen. A very large number of organic molecules are found in bitumens ranging from the simplest organic molecule, to large polymeric molecules having molecular weights in excess of 15,000. Hundreds of organic molecules representing paraffinic, olefinic, aromatic and heterocyclic structures with various functional groups have been identified. The ever-increasing demands to improve the material properties of this complex material has resulted in interesting developments. It's not just about roads and paving - bitumen itself is used in a whole range of materials.

Presidential Lecture: Nano-bots: movie fiction or scientific innovation?

Dr. Gemma-Louise Davies
18:15, Tuesday 6 March 2018

Gemma-Louise graduated from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) with a Degree in Natural Sciences (Mod. Chemistry) and remained there to undertake a PhD in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, which she was awarded in 2011. Following a brief industry-supported Postdoctoral position in Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), Gemma-Louise moved to the University of Oxford as a Postdoctoral Research Associate for 2 years. In 2013, she joined the University of Warwick as a Global Research Fellow, where she began her independent research career. In July 2017, Gemma-Louise joined the Department of Chemistry at University College London (UCL), UK, as a Lecturer in Materials Chemistry. Her research focuses on designing and developing materials to understand and solve current healthcare challenges, overcome obstacles in important industrial processes and assess the fate of nanomaterials in the environment

A Dead Cert? – Can VOC measurements of decomposition be used to enhance victim recovery detection dogs?

Dr Jonathon Brooks, University of Leicester
18:15, Tuesday 13 March 2018

The breakdown of biological tissue during mammalian decomposition results in the production of both gases and liquids.  The majority of these gases are inorganic of nature, e.g. CO₂ and NH₃, however a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also present. These volatile substances are intermediate products of decomposition produced when large macro-molecules such as proteins, are broken down. Victim recovery dogs can be trained to detect this unique mixture of volatiles to allow their use in victim recovery.  Currently there exists no standardised method of police dog training across the UK, with different police forces implementing diverse training techniques using a variety of sample types. With the current lack of scientific basis to the training and a deficiency in funding, the effectiveness of police dogs has been met with criticism. The University of Leicester is currently applying a variety of analytical techniques to identify and quantify the volatile profile of decomposition in real life scenarios.

Wine is a Solution 2018

Dr Stephen Potts, UCL
18:15, Tuesday 20 March 2018

Come and join us as we take an interactive and scientific view on what’s in our glass. We will go through the correct tasting technique before experiencing the key flavours in wine by creating our own “blend”, before looking at the compounds responsible for certain flavour characteristics. We will taste examples of wine from three different grape varieties and discover that where the grapes are grown and how the wine is prepared can significantly affect the style and flavour. You will then test the knowledge you’ve gained by identifying a mystery wine.

Places are strictly limited and if you are interested in attending please email oliver.vas.15@ucl.ac.uk

This event is strictly CPS members only.

Please note: due to the methods used for wine clarification, this event may not be suitable for vegetarians. Please email s.potts@ucl.ac.uk if you’re not sure.

Why We Must Change the Drug Laws to Liberate Research and Treatment

Professor David Nutt
18:15, Tuesday 8 January 2019

Professor Nutt, of Imperial College London, will argue that the drug laws as codified in the UN Conventions are the worst censorship of research in the history of science. For over 50 years, they have denied many opportunities for innovative treatments, many of which were established in the 1950s and 60s. Worse, they have probably increased rather than decreased the harms of drug use. He will give examples of all these and show how himself and others are beginning to move the field forward with neuroscience research.

The Science Behind the Search for Anti-Ageing Medicines

Dr. Lizzy Ostler
18:15, Tuesday 15 January 2019

There is growing evidence that many of the deleterious processes of ageing, such as heart disease, dementia and arthritis, could be prevented or remediated by simple chemical compounds. Recent work has demonstrated that the removal or alteration of phenotype of senescent cells has the potential to reduce multiple age-related pathologies. The development of orally-available broad-spectrum anti-degenerative medicines is now a realistic goal. A wide variety of polyphenolic natural products, often isolated from “super-foods” including grapes and cocoa beans, have long been identified as potential lead compounds for anti-ageing therapeutics. However, many such compounds have multiple biological activities, and may be poorly absorbed. We have established simple, robust and high-yielding syntheses to facilitate access to a broad range of structural variants of compounds based on Resveratrol, and subjected this panel of “Resveralogues” to a wide variety of in vitro assays, with a particular focus on activities related to cell growth and senescence. A subset of our compounds is able to “rejuvenate” cultures of senescent cells by altering RNA splicing patterns, lengthening telomeres, and enabling a significant fraction of cells to re-enter normal cell cycle. The implications of this novel mechanism for the design of future anti-degeneratives will be presented.

Perfume = Chemistry + Artistry: An interactive talk

Ruth Mastenbroek
18:15, Tuesday 22 January 2019

(Perfume smelling interactive talk by Perfumer Rather Mastenbroek). Ruth will show some key synthetic ingredients that have changed the world of perfume, and talk about how she went from being an Oxford Chemistry graduate to the only independent perfumer in Britain today.

The Science of Climate Change – and what we can do about it

Professor Joanna Haigh
18:15, Tuesday 29 January 2019

Since the industrial revolution the surface temperature of the Earth has increased by about 1°C and climate scientists are overwhelmingly of the opinion that this largely due to the effect of gases released into the atmosphere by human activities. How can we be sure that this is the case? Does it matter? What can we say about the future? In this talk Jo Haigh will outline the evidence for climate change, in temperature and other measures, globally and regionally in the context of natural variations in climate, and she will discuss what is well known and what less certain. She will describe how the climate reflects a delicate balance between the energy coming in from the Sun and the heat energy leaving Earth for space, and how this can be disrupted by increasing concentrations of “greenhouse gases”, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). She will show how basic physical science can be used to construct computer models of the climate which can then be employed to investigate how climate processes work and what increasing CO2 may mean for the future. The talk will conclude with a discussion around different approaches to tackling climate change and where the world is heading following the recent United Nations climate conferences.

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The First Prize Medal for Science: the Origin of the Royal Society’s Copley Medal

Dr. Rebekah Higgitt
18:15, Tuesday 19 February 2019

It has become common for exceptional achievements, including within science, to be rewarded with a prize medal. The ubiquity of prize medals for science today means that the history of the first, the Copley Medal, has been overlooked. Rather than simply noting the exploits of famous winners - such as Franklin, Priestley and Herschel - this talk explores the creation of a novelty and the meaning of medals to the Royal Society's 18th-century fellows. The scheme required an investment of time, money, thought and skill, and the creation of a design that borrowed from contemporary ideas about experimental philosophy, antiquarianism and Freemasonry. The Copley Medal did not arrive fully formed as a reward system, but accrued meaning and value from its associations.