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Welcome to our research pages

We are a research group based at the School of Chemistry of the University of St Andrews. We are part of EaStCHEM, a joint research school established between the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Ultra-microscopy investigations of novel, functional materials form the core of our scientific endeavours. In collaboration with partners across various disciplines and institutions, we are part of the Scottish Centre for Interdisciplinary Surface Spectroscopy (SCISS).

Our expertise lies in the nanoscale design of functional materials. Scanning probe techniques are applied to a variety of interdisciplinary subjects focusing on a better fundamental understanding of the physics and chemistry at surfaces. Scanning probe techniques, such as STM or AFM, enable us to obtain insights into the nanoscopic realm, thanks to their remarkable spatial resolution and to their ability to perform spectroscopy at the single atom/molecule level. To learn more about our research, click here.

Most recent news

20th March 2025 – Our most recent research on fullerenes was accepted for publication in Carbon. A great project work in collaboration with the groups of Eleanor Campbell (Edinburgh, UK) and Chris Ewels (Nantes, FR).

10th March 2025 – We have a fully funded PhD studentship available. UK and international students welcome. See details on our “Open Positions” page.

12th December 2024 – Congratulations to Ewan for defending his PhD thesis on “Structural and Electronic Manipulation of Fullerenes for Use in Molecular Electronics”, and many thanks to Prof Quanmin Guo (University of Birmingham) and Prof Manfred Buck for examining the thesis!

4th October 2024 – Our collaboration with iGii (Integrated Graphene Ltd) has just seen its first research output being accepted for publication in Applied Surface Science. We report on the optimization of iGii’s 3D graphene foam electrodes for medical diagnostics applications. Congratulations to Michael-John who is the driving force behind the joint research work.

26th September 2024 – What a bumper year for our research group! Welcome to Rosalind, Owen, Angela, Lucy and Ethan! We’re looking forward to working with you.

21st June 2024 – Congratulations to Miki for her oral contribution at the 37th European Conference on Surface Science (ECOSS-37)!!!

6th February 2024 – Ewan and Renald having a great time working at the I09 beamline of the Diamond Light Source. What a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Professor Philip Moriarty (Nottingham University) and Dr David Duncan (Nottingham University and DSL)!

14th June 2023 – What a brilliant Graduation Ceremony this year! Congratulations to Yi-Ying, Simon, Lauren, and Fraser! Well done – we are so proud of you!!!