Spectroscopy@IKU - Manipulating and Characterizing Molecular Architectures: From Isolated Molecules to Molecular Crystals

Spectroscopy@IKU aims to strengthen Molecular Physics, Chemistry and Materials Sciences at Istanbul Kultur University (IKU), by establishing a strong, internationally competitive research team dedicated to molecular spectroscopy at the IKU Faculty of Sciences and Letters. The team will be led by Prof. Rui Fausto (ERA Chair holder), a world-leading scientist in the field. A new research infrastructure dedicated to spectroscopy will be created, supporting the ERA Chair team and serving as a spectroscopy platform for other IKU research groups. Additionally, it will provide spectroscopy services to external users, from both academy and industry. The ERA-chair research team will engage in training young researchers and post-graduate students, contribute to the academic activities of IKU on spectroscopy, and participate actively in outreaching actions. All activities will follow the principle of free circulation of knowledge and expertise, aligning with ERA priorities. Research will focus on two main areas sharing the need for precise molecular structure manipulation and characterization: (i) structure and reactivity of atmospheric and astrophysically relevant molecules, and (ii) polymorphism in molecular crystals and cocrystals. The first subject centers on the laboratory study of isolated molecules and small aggregates, addressing fundamental chemistry and physics in Earth's atmosphere and space, through exploration of new avenues of chemical reactivity and their underneath physical processes, such as reactions resulting from vibrational excitation of molecules or taking place via quantum mechanical tunneling, two subjects the ERA-Chair holder has been pioneering. The second main subject is a hot topic in materials sciences and one of the most crucial subjects for pharmaceutical industry at the moment. New approaches for polymorphs screening will be implemented, based on the development of novel versatile techniques for molecular crystals/cocrystals generation.