Professor Julia A. Weinstein
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Head of Light-Matter Interactions Research Cluster
Professor of Physical Chemistry
Head of Lord Porter Laser Laboratory
Head of Physical Chemistry Teaching Theme
Full contact details
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Dainton Building
13 Brook Hill
葫芦影业
S3 7HF
- Profile
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Dr. Weinstein obtained her Diploma in Chemistry (with honours) from Moscow Lomonosov State University in 1990, followed by a PhD from the same institution in 1994, where she became a member of staff. In 2000 she became a Royal Society/NATO postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Nottingham, which was followed by a temporary lectureship at the same institution.
In 2004 she was appointed as EPSRC advanced Research Fellow and obtained a lectureship at the University of 葫芦影业. In 2010 she was promoted to senior lecturer, followed by a promotion to reader in 2015, and to professor of physical chemistry in 2016.
Awards
- Lomonosov Award in Science (2003)
- John Van Geuns Lecture (2004)
- RSC Chemical Dynamics Award (2017)
- Qualifications
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- MRSC
- Member of the ACS and EPA
- Research interests
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Most broadly, our research group is interested in any aspects of interaction of light with matter in condensed phase.
The main focus of our research is (1) Ultrafast dynamics of electron and energy transfer in condensed phase; and (2) Chemical Approach to Solar Energy Conversion.
The conversion of light into chemical energy lies at the heart of many natural processes and man-made applications. A charge-separated species generated via an excited state is the key intermediate in this process. Stabilisation of this intermediate is the key issue and pivotal to developing efficient artificial systems. We develop methodologies for controlling stability of charge-transfer excited states by manipulating environment and structural properties of model systems based on transition metal complexes, with potential application in molecular wires, electronics and photonics. The interdisciplinary research uses a combination of organometallic synthesis, time-resolved electronic and vibrational spectroscopy and theory to explore the fundamental aspects underlying this work crossing from controlling photomolecular properties of materials to designing molecular architecture for photo-induced electron transfer.
Other research areas include:
- Highly luminescent metal chromophores for imaging and sensing.
- Development of compounds which emit in the NIR spectral range.
- Development of photostable photo-sensitisers of singlet oxygen 鈥 the key recative oxygen species 鈥 and understanding of underlying chemical rules to the efficiecy of its generation.
- Free radicals in chemistry and biology.
The main techniques involved in our research comprise:
- (Spectro)electrochemistry;
- Time-resolved electronic spectroscopy 鈥 absorption and emission;
- Time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy - infra-red and (resonance) Raman.
- Pulse radiolysis.
We collaborate with the UK National Facility - Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Science and Technology Facilities Council, member of LaserLab Europe, and with various laboratories world-wide, including USA, Switzerland, Germany and Buelorussia.
We have a 4 years PhD position available to start on the 1 October 2020. For more details following this link.
- Publications
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Journal articles
Chapters
Conference proceedings papers
- Teaching interests
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Photochemistry; Mathematics, Chemical Kinetics
- Teaching activities
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Undergraduate and postgraduate taught modules
- Mathematics for Chemists 2 (Level 1)
This course teaches basic practical skills in performing differentiation and integration; it introduces the link between those and practical chemistry (kinetics, thermodynamics, synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, polymer chemistry, practical laboratory work and others); and creates a basis for the courses where more advanced mathematics will be introduced. - Chemical Reaction Kinetics (Level 2)
This module provides an introduction into kinetic analyses of complex reaction mechanisms. - Photochemistry and Molecular Photonics (Level 4)
This lecture course describes basic theoretical considerations, experimental methods, and applications of one of the key fundamental processes - electron transfer - in chemistry, photochemistry, biochemistry and related disciplines.
Support Teaching:
- Tutorials: Level 1 General Chemistry
- Tutorials: Level 2 Physical Chemistry
- Level 3 Literature Review
Laboratory Teaching:
- Level 4 Research Projec
- Mathematics for Chemists 2 (Level 1)