Aston Advanced Materials Research Centre (AAMRC)
We develop advanced materials to solve real world problems.
The Advanced Materials Research Centre provides materials-based solutions for key global grand challenges, including: Energy/Sustainability, Health, and Advanced/ Transformative Technologies.
We apply our core material skills in manufacturing, characterisation, and digitisation to solve real world challenges. We have a thriving multidisciplinary research centre that works closely with local, national and international businesses.
Our People
- AAMRC Management Team
Professor Richard Martin
Director of Aston Advanced Materials Research Centre
Email: r.a.martin@aston.ac.uk
Prof Brian J Tighe
Professor (50th Anniversary Professor of Biomaterials Science)
Email: b.j.tighe@aston.ac.uk
Prof Paul Topham
Head of School
Email: p.d.topham@aston.ac.uk
Professor Mujib Rahman
Head of Department
Email: m.rahman19@aston.ac.uk
Paul Gretton
Senior Project Manager
Email: p.grettton@aston.ac.uk
Dr Stephen David Worrall
Lecturer in Chemistry
Email: s.worrall@aston.ac.uk
Qingchun Yuan
Senior Lecturer
Email: q.yuan@aston.ac.uk
Dr Petra J. van Koningsbruggen
Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry
Email: P.vankoningsbruggen@aston.ac.uk
Dr Matthew Derry
Lecturer
Email: m.derry@aston.ac.uk
Dr Ahmed Abed
Research Fellow
Email: a.abed@aston.ac.uk
Dr Laura Leslie
Associate Professor
Email: l.j.leslie@aston.ac.uk
Dr Val Franklin
Research Fellow
Email: Biostuff@aston.ac.uk
Sam Adu-Amankwah
Lecturer
Email: s.adu-amankwah@aston.ac.uk
Dr Nikolaos Tziavos
Lecturer in Structural Engineering
Email: n.tziavos@aston.ac.uk
Dr Robert Evans
Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Email: r.evans2@aston.ac.uk
Anisa Mahomed
Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
Email: a.mahomed2@aston.ac.uk
Dr James Wilson
Lecturer
Email: j.wilson11@aston.ac.uk
Amit Kumar Sarkar
Marie Curie Research Fellow
Email: a.sarkar@aston.ac.uk
- AAMRC Members
Mrs Shirin Hanaei
PhD Student
Email: 190202961@aston.ac.uk
Mr Bawan Hadad
PhD Student
Email: 210110854@aston.ac.uk
Mr. Vijayakumar
Postgraduate Researcher
Email: 210324576@aston.ac.uk
Miss Anisha Patel
Postgraduate Researcher
Email: patea110@aston.ac.uk
Dr Luke Broadbent
Post Doctoral Research Associate
Email: l.broadbent@aston.ac.uk
Dr Farah Raja
Post Doctorial Research Associate
Email: souzal@aston.ac.uk
Nawal Hassan
PhD Research Student
Email: 190086040@aston.ac.uk
Dr Joe Homer
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Email: homerw1@aston.ac.uk
Juan Ignacio Cadiz-Miranda
PhD Student
Email: 210130726@aston.ac.uk
Lucas Pereira Lopes de Souza
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Email: souzal@aston.ac.uk
Miss Georgia Lucy Maitland
PhD Student
Email: maitlang@aston.ac.uk
Miss Courtney Harris
Research Student
Email: 190030869@aston.ac.uk
Research Projects
- Developing novel bioactive glasses for bone cancer applications
Survival for osteosarcoma patients is poor despite the aggressive use of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. Bone cancer treatment typically includes removing all anatomical structures involved in the original pre-chemotherapy tumour which can therefore leave critical size defects after surgery. In addition to the tissue loss /damage there are also concerns regarding secondary or metastasis cancers.
Note survival rates half if there is local reoccurrence of the cancer. Therefore, safe and effective therapeutic materials are required to improve the clinical outcome. The minimum key requirements for an effective biomaterial targeted toward osteosarcoma therapy are (1) to successfully eradicate any residual tumour not excised during the surgery without being cytotoxic to the surrounding tissue and (2) to provide a suitable platform for the regeneration of new bone. A potential solution to this problem is to engineer materials capable of replacing damaged tissue while simultaneously preventing reoccurrence and/or metastases of tumours after surgery. The development of synthetic alternatives that help regenerate bone by acting as active temporary scaffolds is associated with considerable research activity. However, there have been very few reports of synergistic scaffolds that can help manage cancer and simultaneously promote wound healing. My group and I have developed the first bioactive glass which simultaneously regenerates bone and kills bone cancer cells.
The materials have been successfully patented, further details can be found in our recent publications
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.2c12102
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00283
Funders: Bone Cancer Research Trust, Sarcoma UK, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Orthopaedic Charitable Funds (Dubrowsky Legacy Donation).
Research Lead: Professor Richard Martin, Director of Aston Advanced Materials Research Centre- The relation between synthesis, structure and physical properties of metal organic frameworks
Research expertise and associated research projects: My research expertise is the study of the relation between synthesis, structure and physical properties of metal organic frameworks with the aim of understanding how to improve a desired materials’ physical property or reactivity in a predetermined fashion. I use this expertise to develop new solutions for unsolved challenges in the field of catalysis, magnetic materials and health:
- To develop catalysts for epoxide and epoxide/CO2 polymerisation (POCO2COPO) to produce the industrially important polymers poly(ether polyol)s and poly(propylene carbonate)s; this also provides a sustainable solution for dealing with environmental issues (the Greenhouse effect, more environmentally friendly catalysts and industrial polymerisation processes).
- To develop MOFs-based Bifunctional Catalysts for Efficient One-Pot Transformation of Biomass to Ethanol (MOFCatEthanol). This project aims at the development and use of new bifunctional catalysts to achieve (1) high selectivity for cellulosic ethanol production through an ingenious series of tandem reactions in an aqueous phase, with (2) high conversion and throughput using a single reactor, and (3) under mild reaction conditions, hence providing sustainable solutions for environmental issues (revalorisation of biomass, environmentally benign industrial processes).
- To develop magnetic, optical and/or photomagnetic materials that also have antimicrobial activity that can be (i) implemented in electronic devices, e.g. optical and magnetic switches for information storage and as displays (Magnetic materials) and (ii) used as antimicrobial agents. This project aims at providing solutions for the societal desire towards (i) more advanced (e.g. faster data processing) and miniaturisation of electronic devices by offering industry novel magnetic materials to fulfil these needs, and (ii) effective antimicrobial agents.
- To develop metal compounds for antimicrobial activity, e.g. the design, synthesis, characterisation and testing of novel silver(II) compounds as enhanced antimicrobial agents (Ag-AMR) for surface disinfection, which is essential to solving current health and disinfection issues.
Funding details: MOFCatEthanol: Dr Qingchun Yuan (PI), Professor Tony Bridgwater and Dr Petra Vankoningsbruggen were awarded an MSCA-IF-EF-ST Fellowship on the project of MOFs-based Bifunctional Catalysts for Efficient One-Pot Transformation of Biomass to Ethanol (MOFCatEthanol).
The project is for 24 months (from June 2021)with a total cost of € 224,933.76. POCO2COPO and Magnetic materials: Further funding for these projects is currently being sought. Ag-AMR: EPSRC funding within the research programme Aston Multidisciplinary Research For AntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR4AMR) has been awarded for this project to a consortium of Aston University researchers: Dr Corinne M. Spickett, LHS (Biology), (ii) Dr Dan L. Rathbone, LHS (Pharmacy) and Dr Petra J. van Koningsbruggen, EPS (CEAC).
This project, particularly the synthesis of silver compounds, has started on 1 September 2016. Research Lead: Dr Petra J. van Koningsbruggen, Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry.
- Creating innovative bioactive glasses for treating bone cancer
Osteosarcoma patients face low survival rates despite aggressive treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, often resulting in critical size defects. Tissue loss and the risk of secondary cancers pose additional challenges, with survival rates halving upon local cancer recurrence. To enhance clinical outcomes, there is a need for safe and effective therapeutic materials. Key requirements for an effective biomaterial targeting osteosarcoma therapy include eliminating residual tumors post-surgery without harming surrounding tissue and promoting new bone regeneration. Our solution involves engineering materials that replace damaged tissue while preventing cancer reoccurrence and metastases. Our research focuses on synthetic alternatives, particularly bioactive glass, as active temporary scaffolds to regenerate bone and combat bone cancer. We have successfully patented these materials, presenting our findings in recent publications. This work is made possible by the support of Bone Cancer Research Trust, Sarcoma UK, Royal Academy of Engineering, and Royal Orthopaedic Charitable Funds (Dubrowsky Legacy Donation).
- Developing MPF-s-Based Bifunctional Catalysts for Efficient Biomass-to-Ethanol Transformation
This project aims to create novel bifunctional catalysts for high-selectivity cellulosic ethanol production through tandem reactions in an aqueous phase. The goal is to achieve high conversion and throughput in a single reactor under mild conditions, providing sustainable solutions for biomass revalorization and environmentally friendly industrial processes.
- Magnetic, Optical, and Antimicrobial Materials
The objective is to develop materials with antimicrobial properties suitable for electronic devices, such as optical and magnetic switches for information storage and displays. This project addresses the societal demand for advanced and miniaturized electronic devices and effective antimicrobial agents.
- Metal Compounds for Antimicrobial Activity
Focuses on designing, synthesizing, characterising, and testing novel silver compounds as enhanced antimicrobial agents for surface disinfection. This research project is crucial for addressing current health and disinfection issues.
- Creating Advanced Antimicrobial Bioactive Glasses
Surgical site infections contribute to a significant portion of hospital-acquired infections, often caused by multidrug-resistant bugs. These infections, challenging to treat, lead to increased mortality risks, especially in elderly patients. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, the typical treatment for SSIs, have adverse effects and contribute to prolonged hospital stays, increasing healthcare costs. To address this issue, my team is developing bioactive glasses that release controlled amounts of antimicrobial ions for diverse soft and hard tissue applications. Our goal is to create materials resistant to antimicrobial resistance. For more details, refer to our recent publications.
- Prevention and Management of Road Surface Damage
- Project Funded by UKRI
This project addresses the critical issue of cancer metastasis to the bones, particularly prevalent in prostate, breast, and lung cancers. Surgical removal of metastatic bone tumors is common, followed by postoperative treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, addressing bone defects and preventing cancer recurrence remains a challenge. Our innovative approach involves bioactive glasses with gallium, aiming to reconstruct bone tissue in metastatic lesions, eradicate residual cancer cells, and enhance bone regeneration. This strategy not only reduces the risk of relapse but also eliminates the need for additional surgery, improving postoperative quality of life. My project focuses on assessing the toxicity of gallium-doped bioactive glasses against metastatic cell lines and enhancing their ability to stimulate new bone formation.
- Project Funded by The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Chartiable Funds
This initiative aims to evaluate the cancer-killing potential of novel biomaterials against various bone cancers. Initial data indicates high efficacy, particularly against primary bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Now, we seek to assess these materials against metastatic cancers, focusing on breast, kidney, and prostate cancers that commonly spread to bone tumors. To enhance clinical relevance, we plan to optimize the materials by testing them against cancerous cells directly isolated from patients' surplus tissue collected during routine surgeries. This approach ensures a realistic and clinically representative evaluation of the materials' effectiveness in treating the targeted cancers.
- Liquid-directed self-assembly of block copolymers for energy storage applications
- MEDIPOL project
Staff exchange project with a Spanish company, a University in the Czech Republic and three Thai Universities. The project is a 1.4Meuro project looking at the design of polymer materials for biomedical applications.
- Road Surface Damage Prevention and Management
This EPSRC-funded project, spanning 36 months, focuses on two interconnected objectives. Firstly, it aims to enhance road design and construction to minimize surface damage caused by factors such as water impact, environmental conditions (freezing-thawing), and dynamic interactions between tires, water, and the pavement surface. Secondly, the project seeks to revolutionize road repair science, emphasizing durable repairs by considering fundamental physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of asphalt pavement, along with optimal compaction regimes. The project will contribute practical guidelines for industrial applications, addressing gaps in knowledge within the pavement engineering community.
- Development of alternative materials for membrane slice culture with tailored properties which facilitate the monitoring of electrical signalling in epileptic brain tissue in-situ during tissue culture