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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Heading to Rome to attend the Nanophotonics and Micro/Nano Optics International Conference 2026! 🇮🇹 Representing both Matter and Matter & Light! #NANOP2026

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Cell Press @cellpress.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

New device can charge drones using lasers, potentially mid-flight. Video shows the process in action. Learn more in Matter & Light: www.cell.com/matter-light... Jianhua Han, Hong Lin & colleagues

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Had a great time attending PhotoIUPAC 2026 last week in Zagreb! Here’s a wee picture from the conference dinner, where we enjoyed a fantastic four course meal amongst good academic chatter.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Plenary speaker kicking off PhotoIUPAC 2026 is Nobel Laureate David MacMillan! Unfortunately had to endure some teasing about Scotland in the World Cup from the Chair in his introduction 😢

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Heading to Zagreb, Croatia next week for the 30th IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry 💡 I will be representing both Matter and Matter & Light by Cell Press, and I'm very excited to see what's been going on in the photochemistry field! #Matter #MatterandLight

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Delighted to share this piece of work from my PhD days! Huge thanks to all the collaborators, and especially to Gemma-Louise Davies for getting this in tip-top shape! Very pleased that it has been selected as part of the Journal of Materials Chemistry B HOT Papers. doi.org/10.1039/D6TB...

doi.org

Exploring the influence of internal surface modification of paramagnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles on MRI relaxation dynamics

Paramagnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) containing immobilised Gd3+-macrocycles are widely investigated as platforms for enhancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast, yet the influe...

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

What do you get for a Scientific Editor who likes board games? The Publish or Perish Game, obviously! Now just to recruit some academics for a game night…

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Robert Hoye is awarded the Paul Siffert Award! You can check out Robert’s recent publication in Matter here: www.cell.com/matter/fullt...

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Set to be a hot* week of science in Strasbourg! 🔥 *Don’t think it’s to drop below 30 °C

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Returning to Strasbourg next week for E-MRS Spring! Hit me up if you fancy a chat and/ or a coffee! ☕️🇫🇷

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

My book of choice for Hawaii was Jurassic Park - a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was an ideal setting, and of course, who doesn’t love dinosaurs! 🦖

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

This jet lag is brutal… 11 hour time difference is no joke 😅 Hopefully can make it through the first day back at work, lots of caffeine will be required.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Mahalo Honolulu and MRS Spring for a fantastic conference! Great science, great people, great location! 🌴🌺🥥 A personal highlight of mine was the conference lū’au with a traditional feast and performers demonstrating the different dances from across the islands (especially the fire dancers!).

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

First up, our Plenary Speaker Kazunari Domen! #S26MRS

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Aloha from Honolulu! 🌴🥥☀️ If you’re around this week and want to discuss @cp-matter.bsky.social by Cell Press or any of our other physical science Cell Press journals, get in touch! #S26MRS #MRS #Matter

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I am unbelievably excited to announce that I will be attending MRS Spring 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii next week, representing Matter by Cell Press! Please do get in touch if you want to discuss a paper, publishing or anything concerning Matter and Cell Press! #Matter #MRSSpring @cp-matter.bsky.social

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Steve Cranford @cranfordmatter.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Very excited!

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Emily Draper @profdraper.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

I have a 2 year PDRA position available in my group focusing on synthetic organic chemistry for supramolecular materials. Please apply using the link below if you’d be a good fit for the role in Glasgow @uofgchem.bsky.social www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...

jobs.gla.ac.uk

Research Associate

Job Purpose To make a leading contribution to the ‘Design of Organic Electronic Materials using Predictive Modelling’ working with Professor Draper in the research discipline design and synthesis o...

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Had a great time on Friday celebrating my PhD supervisor, @gemmaloudavies.bsky.social, as she was awarded the RSC and SCI McBain Medal! 🥇 Congrats again Gemma!

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Seems like ResearchGate has had some formatting issues in the last week or so (maybe longer?).

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Cell Press @cellpress.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Injected with light-emitting compounds, these succulents can shine in the dark with a variety of colors and naturally recharge during the day. www.cell.com/news-do/pr-g... @cp-matter.bsky.social

Title: Glow-in-the-dark succulents that recharge with sunlight
Image: Succulents glow in shades of red, green, blue, and more after being infused with afterglow phosphor particles that absorb and slowly release light.
Image credit: Liu et al., Matter

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Cell Press @cellpress.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

From miso in space to infrared contact lenses, lots of #CoolScience published in Cell Press journals made the news this year. Wrap up 2025 with us and check out some of the most talked-about Cell Press papers below!👇

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Cell Press @cellpress.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Introducing a new, highly selective, multidisciplinary, open access journal—Cell Press Blue! @cellpressblue.bsky.social publishes cutting-edge research across life, physical, medical, sustainability, & applied sciences. First articles online in January, sign-up for alerts. dlvr.it/TPyKkb

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

There’s worst ways to spend an evening after a cancelled train (well, all the trains really).

A glass of lemonade and a book sit on a table in front of a Christmas tree lit up and decorated with red and gold baubles.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Delighted to share our annual "35(+1) challenges in materials science being tackled by PIs under 35(ish) in 2025". Thanks to all the authors for their contributions - great to get this out in our Dec issue! Check it out below: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @cp-matter.bsky.social #Matter

sciencedirect.com

35(+1) challenges in materials science being tackled by PIs under 35(ish) in 2025

This year, we present 36 emerging researchers from around the world, all roughly under the age of 35 (or thereabouts). This is our fourth year highlig…

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Coming back from a fantastic few days exploring Belgium. Got a pal doing his PhD at KU Leuven, so took the opportunity to explore the surrounding cities and Christmas markets! 🎄🧇 Visited Gent, Leuven, Bruges and Brussels, not bad for my first trip to Belgium.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Introducing our new Cell Press journal, Matter & Light, which will publish cutting-edge research on the interaction between light and materials science in defining the future of technology. #Matter #Matter&Light www.cell.com/matter-light...

cell.com

Matter & Light: Matter & Light

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

On a separate note, Tuesday evening was absolutely unbelievable… Scotland qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years! (I was a mere toddler last time so have zero memories). To experience that game in person in my hometown was just out of this world! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Wonderful evening being back @School of Chemistry University of Glasgow for their Chemistry Alumni Panel! We shared some insights in how our undergraduate degree led us to where we are now in our careers, 7 years on (crazy to acknowledge that!). @uofgchem.bsky.social

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

UK folks, is Microsoft down? Can’t get onto Teams or my email 🙃

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

University of Glasgow was looking spectacular (spooktacular? 😉🙄) last night! @uofglasgow.bsky.social

A picture of the University of Glasgow at night, with its gothic tower lit up red.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

We're hiring a Deputy Editor for our new journal, Matter & Light. Do you have proven materials research expertise? Are you an experienced Editor with a passion for Science? Check out the link in the post below for more details!

wd3.myworkday.com

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

My ~spooky season~ book of choice this year is Ghost Story by Peter Straub. Just over 60% through, and thoroughly enjoying it! Well written and exceptional eerie elements!

Ghost Story by Peter Straub, a black book with a spooky orange house on the cover, is held in a living room. There is a glowing ceramic pumpkin in the background and Halloween decorations in the window.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

I was very fortunate to attend Omar Yaghi’s talk at the University of Birmingham back in April 2024! (Although I believe it was on COFs…)

Omar Yaghi stands in front of three screens in a lecture hall, giving a talk on “Organic Chemistry for the Climate”.

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CNN @cnn.com · 03/09/2025

Chinese researchers have made what they say are the first multi-colored and brightest-ever luminescent plants. cnn.it/4ncu4GI

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Spent an invigorating summer-turn-autumn weekend at Loch Lomond. A highlight was visiting the Hot Tottie, alternating between the roasting sauna and a dip in the ice-cold loch! 🔥❄️

Harvey the golden labrador swimming in a loch, surrounded by mountains and a cloudy sky.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Super cool seeing the coverage of an article I handled in the @nytimes.com! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/s...

nytimes.com

It’s a Night Light. It’s a Plant. It’s a Glowing Succulent.

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SellaTheChemist @sellathechemist.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/07/2025

Our #UCLChemAirPoll 2025 project is just getting underway. We send our first year undergrads in primary schools, where Year 5 or 6 children predict where in their neighourhood levels of NOx will be high or low. We measure using diffusion tubes, and report our […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

A UCL Chemistry undergraduate guiding a lesson on air pollution in front of a class of year 5 children.

UCL chemistry students preparing calibration solutions for their diffusion tubes using the Griess-Salzmann reagent to prepare the pink diazo dye - volumetric and other glassware visible in the picture.

A UCL chemistry student placing a diffusion tube on a lamp post with tall buildings visible in the background.

UCL Chemistry students looking at their maps to determine where to site their tubes after getting instruction from the class.

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Nature @nature.com · 27/08/2025

Succulents become rechargeable night lights after injection with tiny phosphor particles go.nature.com/4oVQb5O

go.nature.com

Glow-in-the-dark houseplants shine in rainbow of colours

Succulents become rechargeable night lights after injection with tiny phosphor particles.

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Excited for tomorrow night’s social dinner as part of the Joint Scottish Dalton and USIC Meeting 2025. Canny beat a good Scottish ceilidh - hoping to see a good turnout of kilts! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Another conference this week, in my lovely hometown of Glasgow! Will be attending the Joint Scottish Dalton and USIC Meeting 2025 at Strathclyde University on Thursday and Friday. Give me a shout if you’re about!! @cp-matter.bsky.social

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

A few weeks ago we went to the Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab at Kings Cross and it was amazing! A truly scientific experience in every drink! And the apothecary decor is on point. Highly recommend 🧪⚗️🔮

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Prof Ross Forgan @forganross.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

It was an absolute privilege today to accept the 2024 @rsc.org Peter Day Prize medal at #MC17, in my hometown no less, on behalf of everyone who has ever worked in our team.

Inscribed silver medal and prize certificate

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Dr Connor Wells @connorwells95.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

A Friday evening spent with a cold drink in the sun and a book, after a fun week networking, is the ideal summer balance.

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