We develop new ways to remove toxic waste from our waters

Materials chemist Tom Willhammar finds his drive and inspiration in nature's building blocks. With his research colleagues, he then develops ideas that, after further analysis, lead to potential solutions to some of today's greatest challenges.

"One of the best things about research is working with dedicated people. For example with my doctoral students, but also with other colleagues who all contribute with different competences."

[...] an open and creative setting where everyone feels that when we find something that catches our interest, we can explore it.

The most recent example is the study he conducted with fellow researcher Andrew Kentaro Inge, in which they showed that molecules from pomegranate peel combined with metal ions form a new material capable of absorbing harmful pharmaceutical residues from water. Residues that conventional treatment plants are unable to capture.

Researchers and students examine the electron microscope. Photo: Björn Terring/Stockholm University

"I'm passionate about being able to see what a material looks like at its core and then understanding what that means for its properties. We employ an electron microscope where, with the help of an electron beam, we can take pictures of the organisation of the atoms and study how the atoms are arranged in different materials. After mixing the molecules from the pomegranate with metal ions, the electron microscope allowed us to see that we had created a porous structure with cavities perfectly suited to capture drug molecules."

How do you go about collaborating on such a discovery?

"We are constantly testing new ideas. Sometimes this leads to new discoveries. If we see that there is something new here, we let that idea develop. The advantage of doing research at Stockholm University is that basic research allows you to focus on understanding the world at a fundamental level. I think it is very important for creativity to be able to freely explore things and test your ideas. This is also something that I really try to create in the working environment with my PhD students, an open and creative setting where everyone feels that when we find something that catches our interest, we can explore it."

Photo: Rickard Kilström

Du you want to know more about Tom and his research?

 

Read more about Tom

Tom Willhammar research group

New way to purify water from pharmaceutical pollutants

What do you want to convey to your students?

"I teach students from first year undergraduates to PhD students and I find it very satisfying to share my knowledge at all levels. It is not certain that my students will work with what I do, but it is still important to give them a way to relate to science. To inspire them by showing them that there is a way to understand the world at an atomic and molecular level. Those who are interested can then take it further.

Having people from different backgrounds, from different parts of the world, with different ideas and approaches, is something we really want to nurture.

 

Why should you study chemistry at Stockholm University?

"The goal is not necessarily to save the world. Rather that we can be a small piece of the bigger puzzle. What I do, someone else can build on. We build knowledge that helps to develop our understanding of the world."

What does it mean that Stockholm University is an international environment?

"It's about the conditions for creativity. Having people with different backgrounds around you, from different parts of the world, with different ideas and approaches, is something we really want to cherish. In research, diversity is only an opportunity."

How do you keep up the interest?

"It is important to choose a topic that you are really interested in. If you then have a hunger to understand things in depth, it becomes a 'never ending story'. There is no end point. You can always seek new knowledge."