Dr. Matthew A. Addicoat and Dr. Dinga Wonanke A.D., researchers from the Nottingham Trent University (NTU, UK), arrived at the SCTMS for continuing work on a project supported by the RFBR and the Royal Society of London. The grant related to the study of microporous framework materials. Their visit is from December 1 to 7.Work on the project “Theory and methods of combined topological and quantum-chemical prediction of mechanical properties anisotropy of microporous frameworks” began in 2018. During this time, scientists made several mutual visits to discuss the work plan and exchange research results. At the moment, the final stage of the project is underway – the main results are being formulated, according to which three publications in scientific journals are being prepared for publication, and calculations of the mechanical properties of microporous compounds of metal-organic frameworks are continuing. Some research results were presented at a number of conferences.
Several databases have already been created on the properties and building blocks for metal-organic frameworks (coordination polymers), tools for analyzing the flexibility of these building blocks, calculations are being made to predict the flexibility for materials in which it has not yet been opened. “Our work is purely theoretical, – comments project manager Dr. Eugeny Alexandrov. – However, based on our recommendations, which will be in the articles, synthesis specialists will be able to get new material with the so-called flexible behavior, or breathing frameworks.”
Microporous materials have diverse applications in practice. This includes adsorption and various types of filtration including recognition and extraction of complex mixture components, the control of the selectivity of the capture of toxic and polluting substances, and the effective storage of gaseous substances, and the absorption of mechanical energy, heat, electromagnetic radiation, etc.
“Looking for special words for my trip, I would call it incredible, – says Dr. Dinga Wonanke, – I am very happy to come to Russia, to Samara, to this research center, where the discussion of scientific problems takes place everywhere – both in the workplace, in the conference hall and the tearoom. The scientific research itself is happening very quickly, thanks to Andrey Golov and Eugeny Alexandrov, who can quickly clarify the problems we are having in calculating, compiling databases and other parts of the project.”
“This is my first visit in the winter time, I hope I will come back when it will be not so cold, – Dr. Matthew Addicoat shares his impressions. – Now we have high efficiency - we are simultaneously writing two articles and have the opportunity to communicate in detail on the topic of the project. And, I think, we do not stop our collaboration”.
“I am glad that the work on this project has reached the finish line,– says the director of the SCTMS, Prof. Vladislav Blatov, – that they give rise to new scientific questions and problems that can be solved with further cooperation, which will certainly continue.”