Topic: chirality

Organic multicomponent crystals can alter material properties without changing the covalent structures of their constituent molecules. René de Gelder examines how these crystals can be classified and how chirality affects the resulting classes and subclasses. Thousands of structures in resources such as the Cambridge Structural Database provide the basis for a network-science analysis of structural diversity. The approach seeks principles governing multicomponent crystal formation, ways to predict new combinations, and a map of the transition between cocrystals and salts.

A twelve-month postdoctoral project beginning in January 2027 studies electroactive chiral materials derived from [7]helicene, quasi[8]circulenes and neutral helical radicals incorporating tetrathiafulvalene. Combining helical scaffolds with electron-donor units is intended to influence charge delocalization, molecular packing, conductivity and spin filtering. The work builds on preliminary enantiomer resolution and synthesis results, and investigates chiroptical modulation, spin-dependent electrochemistry and chirality-induced spin selectivity. Collaborations involve theoretical chemistry and

This postdoctoral role in Hiromasa Niinomi’s group develops research on light–matter interactions and light-induced phase transitions, particularly the chirality and topology of light, or on nonequilibrium behavior at high-pressure water–ice interfaces. Researchers may contribute experience in lasers, optical microscopy, spectroscopy and nanofabrication, or develop these skills while bringing complementary expertise. WPI-SKCM² connects topology and chirality across disciplines to explore fundamental science and sustainability-related technologies. Appointment is for one year, with possible ren

Chemistry seminar by Prof. Yves Geerts (Université Libre de Bruxelles) on historical attempts by Pasteur and Curie to direct chiral symmetry breaking with external fields, why they failed, and how chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) under non-equilibrium conditions now enables enantiomer separation and control of molecular handedness.