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Dr. Colin Seaton

Associate Professor

Area
School of Chemistry & Biosciences
Faculty of Life Sciences
E-mail
C.Seaton@bradford.ac.uk
Phone
+441274236155
55 publications
1 award

Biography

Dr Colin Seaton received a first class BSc(Hons.) in Chemistry from the University of St. Andrews and a PhD in Chemistry froth University of Birmingham with a thesis entitled "Novel Methods of Crystal Structure Determination from Powder X-ray Diffraction Data".
His Research lies in the field of crystal engineering with key interests in polymorphism, creation of multi-component crystals, crystal growth and habit modification. His work brings together both experimental and computational approaches to these problems with a interest in the application of biologically inspired computational methods such as evolutionary algorithms. 
Teaching covers atomic and molecular structures, solid-state chemistry and computational chemistry. 

Research

My research lies in the field of solid-state molecular chemistry, with the major focus on crystal engineering, the study of crystalline phases and controlling their formation. A key aim is the determination of the factors controlling the creation of crystal phases and using this understanding to design and create new materials. My work covers the development of both experimental (crystallisation processes, phase diagram construction, crystal structural determination by single crystal and powder diffraction methods) and computational methodologies (ab initio calculations, evolutionary algorithms) to gain the insight required.

Current topics of interest include work on understanding influence of experimental conditions on polymorphism through molecular modelling of solvent/solute interactions and molecular conformation, the influence of chemical and crystallographic factors on proton transfer in crystal materials and the creation of multi-component crystals (salts and co-crystals). Development of new computational methodologies to model additive/crystal interactions, molecule/molecule interactions and location of low energy molecular conformations.

Research collaborator

  • Crystal Engineering (University of Lincoln)
  • Crystal Engineering (University of Lincoln)

Teaching

Modules

  • Inorganic Chemistry 1 - CFS4022-B
  • Inorganic Chemistry 1 (at distance) - CFS4029-B
  • Inorganic Chemistry 2 (at Distance) - CFS5024-B
  • Solid Analysis - CFS7026-B

Professional activities

  • BACG Young Scientist Award (1 July 2012)

  • University of Birmingham - PhD
  • University of St. Andrews - BSc (Hons)

  • University of Bradford - Lecturer in Chemistry (1 February 2014)
  • University of Limerick - Postdoctoral Research Fellow (1 July 2011)
  • University of Manchester - Part-Time Postdoctoral Research Associate (1 September 2010)
  • University of Bradford - Part-Time Teaching Associate (1 September 2010)
  • University of Manchester - Postdoctoral Research Associate (1 June 2010)
  • University of Bradford - Scientific Officer (1 October 2009)
  • University of Manchester - Postdoctoral Research Associate (1 May 2008)
  • University of Bradford - Postdoctoral Research Associate/Teaching Associate (1 July 2003)

  • Royal Society of Chemistry, Member (MRSC)
  • Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Affiliate Member
  • British Association of Crystal Growth, Member
  • British Crystallographic Association, Member

Publications