Research

At our Department of Chemistry - Ångström, one of the research fields within chemistry is focused on the development of renewable energy sources and energy carriers. This area occupies a special position in Uppsala and includes solar cells, artificial photosynthesis, hydrogen production, fuel cells, biofuels from biomass and smarter batteries. World-leading research collaborative projects map the structure of metals and chemical compounds, including those with unique catalytic activity, electrical conductivity, and the ability to store energy, contributing to future sustainable energy systems. 

In addition to energy-related research, the department also develops chemistry for biomaterials and drugs for medical treatments. This research is conducted through close national and international collaborations with other universities, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies that promote interdisciplinary research for clinical application. Current applications include polymeric biomaterials for the treatment of corneal blindness, bone repair, prevention of heart failure and the development of new chemically modified oligonucleotide drugs and delivery systems, e.g. for the treatment of brain cancer.  

The department is organised into six research programmes:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Macromolecular Chemistry
• Molecular Biomimetics
• Physical Chemistry
• Structural Chemistry
• Synthetic Molecular Chemistry

The specific research topics in the different research programmes have evolved over time as a result of department  and programme strategies, available resources and the interests of the principal investigators. The department encourages the establishment of new research topics when they fit the strategic goals of a research programme and necessary resources are available.