Supramolecular platforms for the design of energetic materials

"We have broad interests in supramolecular and theoretical chemistries, and in this project will use these to engineer and understand the properties of novel energetic materials.This industrially sponsored project will work in collaboration with the Falcon Project Ltd and
colleagues at the Hartree Centre to synthesise energetic materials based on computationally evaluated models / design
principles that inform synthesis. To achieve this, we will use a variety of macrocyclic molecules as platforms for
synthesising model / target compounds in line with theoretical predictions. These will aim to exploit non-covalent
interactions commonly observed in supramolecular systems, with the ultimate goal being to understand how energetic
components can be engineered into materials in a programmed or rational manner. This will create feedback loops for
theoretical design enhancement, and once developed, we will study the physical properties of these species in-house
with the Falcon Project Ltd. Finally, there is scope for this project to lead to future employment with the Falcon Project
Ltd. upon completion of the doctoral study. The project aligns with the recently opened National Robotarium
(https://thenationalrobotarium.com) at Heriot-Watt University, and there will be opportunities to integrate into this
Research Institute during the course of doctoral study."