Abstract: From wearable sensors to personalised medicines and solar panels, nanostructures made from functional molecules are already enhancing our lives. Nonetheless, science is still playing catchup as nature has been nailing nanostructures for hundreds of millions of years. Whether it is peacock feathers or butterfly wings, scientists can only dream of manipulating matter with such elegance. Jess reveals that the most miraculous molecular structures of all exist a pair of non-superimposable mirror images; where the left and right-handed forms can have remarkably different materials properties. Jess will also talk about her efforts to celebrate scientists from historically marginalised groups, and how science needs to change to support the next-generation of scientists.
Bio: Dr Jess Wade is an Imperial College Research Fellow working in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. Her research considers new materials for optoelectronic devices, with a focus on chiral organic semiconductors. She previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Fuchter group at Imperial College London, where she optimised these chiral systems such that they can absorb/emit circularly polarised light as well as transport spin-polarised electrons. For her PhD Jess concentrated on new materials for photovoltaics and the development of advanced characterisation techniques to better understand their molecular packing. Outside of the lab, Jess is involved with several science communication and outreach initiatives. She is committed to improving diversity in science, both online and offline.