Faculty - Dr. Nick Vukotic

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Our research group develops cutting-edge tools and methods for the rapid discovery and characterization of solid-state molecular materials. These patented instruments, devices, and techniques give us a unique advantage, enabling high-throughput synthesis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) based characterization of new materials. This approach accelerates the development of materials for a variety of targeted applications.

We focus on designing and synthesizing novel solid-state molecular materials with applications in:

• Pharmaceutical science: improving the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of pharmaceutical solid forms as well as nutraceutical supplements.
• Molecular capture and release: leveraging framework materials such as coordination polymers, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and hydrogen-bonded networks.
• Charge transport: enhancing electronic properties in materials like organic semiconductors.

To control the physical properties of these materials, we employ a “crystal engineering” approach that uses supramolecular non-covalent interactions and metal–ligand bonds to fine-tune characteristics like solubility and charge transport. By understanding fundamental structure–property relationships, we can design and optimize materials while using our high-throughput techniques to rapidly screen reaction conditions.

Our group has a strong track record of quickly advancing technologies from concept to patent, successfully bringing products to market, creating new companies, and driving economic and socioeconomic impacts in the Windsor/Essex region.

Group members benefit from our multidisciplinary work, gaining skills in organic/inorganic synthesis, crystallization, purification, spectroscopy, materials characterization, and various X-ray diffraction techniques. They also participate in designing, fabricating, and testing new research tools and devices through close collaborations with industry partners.

More details are available at our group website.

Other Relevant Descriptors: crystal engineering, high-throughput screening, X-ray diffraction (XRD), pharmaceutical solid forms, materials chemistry, stimuli-responsive crystals, coordination polymers, nanoporous adsorbents, metal–organic frameworks, polymer nanocomposites, biomaterials.

Select Patents

1. V.N. Vukotic, K. Rukavina Vukotic, A. Dmitrienko, J. Kobti, E. Douglas, K. Geauvreau, Multiwell Devices for Materials Characterization, Related Apparatuses and Associated Methods, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/654,430, filed May 31, 2024.
2. V.N. Vukotic, S. Veinberg, M. LeSter, A. Dmitrienko, A. Iskra, M. Williams, M. Belassel, Transmission X-ray Diffraction Apparatus and Related Method, U.S. Patent Application No. 63/268,497, filed February 25, 2022.
3. V.N. Vukotic, J.N. Murphy, J. Kobti, M. Dao, Therapeutic Coordination Polymers Containing Pharmaceuticals for Drug Release Applications (PCT Application No. 63/230289), U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, filed August 6, 2021.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

1. J.N. Murphy, J. Kobti, M. Dao, D. Wear, M. Okoko, S. Pandey, V.N. Vukotic, Therapeutic coordination polymers: tailoring drug release through metal–ligand interactions, Chemical Science 2024, 15 (19), 7041–7050.
2. J.M. Taylor, P.J. Dwyer, J.W. Reid, B.S. Gelfand, D. Lim, M. Donoshita, S.L. Veinberg, H. Kitagawa, V.N. Vukotic, G.K.H. Shimizu, Holding open micropores with water: hydrogen-bonded networks supported by hexaaquachromium(III) cations, Chem 2018, 4 (4), 868–878.

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