Neil R. Branda

Biography

  Dr. Neil R. Branda is a Professor at Simon Fraser University  

Research Interest

 Organic Materials molecular switches, photochromism and electrochromism, molecular recognition and supramolecular chemistry We are motivated by the vision of molecules as the components of nano-scale machines - machines that like their macroscopic counterparts, require controllable moving parts, ways to harvest and process energy, molecular circuitry, on-off switches, logic gates and information storage devices. Our research focuses on designing mechanisms to control structure and function relationships in molecules using molecular recognition, supramolecular chemistry and molecular switching strategies. Specific goals include: the use of molecular switches triggered by light (photochromic) and electricity (electrochromic), the use of allosteric cofactors to influence host-guest interactions, and the self-assembly of new materials using hydrogen bonding and metal coordination.