Dr. David Crowther MRSC, CChem
Senior Lecturer (Analytical Science)
Academic Responsibilities
Academic leader, analytical section
Chemical analysis service co-ordinator
Analytical Science from year one to Masters, principally molecular spectroscopy.
Research
With a mixed background in biochemistry, spectroscopy and electrochemistry before my appointment at Sheffield Hallam my research interests are broad, and I currently run 3 PhD projects and 2 MPhil projects in different areas. As an analytical scientist I am intrigued by measurement problems that have been brought to my attention and I will use whatever analytical techniques are appropriate (including development of new methods) to get results. I currently have a selection of research projects at various stages from starter level (using undergraduate students for short initial investigations) through pipeline (gaining information for a grant application) to running and mature levels.
Major research themes at present:
The development of optical chemical sensors using solvatochromic dyes, for which I hold LINK funding with the University of Liverpool and Chell Instruments Ltd. New dye structures are being synthesised and immobilised for use in a chromatic sensor developed by Liverpool and Chell. The initial target is water in organic solvents, but additional applications (e.g ion sensors) are also being tackled.
Measurement of vasocontrollers in pre-eclampsia, a joint project with Miss FM Fairlie of the Jessop Hospital for Women, Sheffield and supported by an SHU/Uof S research award. Methodology for nitrate and nitrite determination has been established and lipid peroxide, prostaglandin and nitrosothiol determinations are currently being investigated. Techniques are glc, hplc, ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.
Analysis of problems associated with dot matrix inkjet inks. A project funded by Domino Amjet Ltd, involving study of the physicochemical interactions of ink components which may lead to instability problems in the ink. Techniques include FTIR microspectroscopy, SEM-EDX, ICP-OES, and HPLC.
The usefulness of potentiometric stripping analysis for elemental determination in environmental samples. Equipment on loan from Radiometer is being used to determine heavy metals and selenium in the environment.
Analysis of herbicide metabolites using fluorescent derivatives with HPLC or CE. Acid-reactive reagents are being synthesised and used to tag metabolites. The approach may also be useful in the clinical analyses of ii).
Identification of materials directly on thin layer chromatography plates. Infrared spectroscopy requires plates composed of zirconia, but surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy can be used on silica plates. The preparation and use of colloids for SERS is being investigated.
I am a co-supervisor on projects concerning organic vapour detection using sensor arrays (the "electronic nose") and synthesis and characterisation of solvatochromic phosphonium betaines.
I also supervise an MPhil project on the introduction and assessment of novel learning methods in Anlaytical Science teaching.
Recent and forthcoming publications
D Crowther and X Liu (1995), J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm., 2445. Covalent Immobilisation of Solvatochromic Dyes.
D Crowther, JM Monaghan, K Cook and D Gara (1996) Analyt. Comm., 33, 51-52. Nitrate and nitrite determination in complex media by gradient ion chromatography.
D Crowther, M Best and C Wohlfarth (1996) , Analyt. Comm., 33, 71-73. Analysis of nanogram spots of ink by Fourier Transform infrared microscopy and spectral stripping.
D Crowther, V Rogerson and M Cooke (1996) Analyt. Comm. 33, 93-94. Environmental contamination from lead, copper and cadmium - determination using the woodlouse as bioaccumulator and potentiometric stripping analysis for measurement.
PC Russell, GR Jones, D Crowther, M Jones, SU Ahmed and P Huggett (1996) Proc. Opto '96, 145-150. ACS Orgs. GMBH, Wunstorf, Germany. A chromatic sensor for detecting water in organic solvents.
JM Monaghan, K Cook, D Gara and D Crowther (1997) J Chrom., in press. Determination of nitrite and nitrate in human serum
Recent (1996) meeting abstracts:
D Crowther and M Jones Third European Conference on Optical Chemical Sensors and Biosensors, ETH Zurich. Solvatochromic Dyes as Chemical Sensors.
J Monaghan and D Crowther, International Ion Chromatography Symposium, Reading. Determination of nitrate and nitrite in human serum.
D Crowther TLC Forum symposium, Guildford (Chromatographic Society). IR and Raman spectra from TLC spots - reality or wishful thinking?
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