Our people
- Phone:
- +64 3 364 2438
- Fax:
- +64 3 364 2110
Address:
Department of Chemistry
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
Biography
Paul undertook his BSc (Hons) and PhD degrees at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia), where his research was centred on the synthesis of multi-nuclear metal complexes in the quest to develop species of bio-mimetic relevance and as novel magnetic materials. He then spent two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, investigating the structural and functional aspects of metallo-macrocyclic complexes.
Paul was then appointed to a lectureship at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, rising through the ranks before moving to the University of Canterbury where he is Professor of Chemistry. Paul’s research interests are centred in Supramolecular Chemistry with an emphasis on investigating Metalorganic Frameworks (MOFs) for carbon capture and energy transfer.
Research interests
Paul's research interests touch upon all aspects of Supramolecular Chemistry and ranges from organic synthesis and coordination chemistry, through materials and structural chemistry, to host-guest and sensor chemistry.
This work is underpinned by structural analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction which is complimented by a range of spectroscopic techniques. In a series of endeavours the Kruger group are addressing the following research themes:
- Spin-switching materials that possess externally addressable spin-switching Fe(II) centres. Potential applications for these materials is as the active components in temperature, pressure or guest induced magnetic switches or molecular or ion detection.
- Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) that are permanently porous show promising applications in catalysis, separation, strategic gas storage and molecular recognition.
- Anion sensing through the development of molecules capable of acting as 'naked-eye' or fluorescent anion sensors for use in medical devices and environmental monitoring.
- Host-guest chemistry of metal-organic cages that possess geometrically and electronically predefined internal voids capable of binding guest molecules. These materials may find potential application as drug delivery vectors, sensor materials and as para-magnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) magnetic-resonance contrast agents.
Our research programme will benefit New Zealand in the form of new knowledge and manufacturing processes that could be taken up by exporters.
Professor Paul E. Kruger
In the news
Annual Report
2023 Regional Lecture Series - Annual Report 2023
April 14, 2024
Sustainability has been a theme throughout our Regional Lectures Series, and this year we focused on tangible sustainability tech.
Read more about 2023 Regional Lecture Series - Annual Report 2023
Annual Report
Empowering futures - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
Discovery Scholars were placed into summer internships, and attended the International Standards Organisation Conference.
Annual Report
Board Chair’s report - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
I continue to be amazed and inspired as I look across the breadth of mahi undertaken by the Institute.
Annual Report
Co-Directors’ Report - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
2023 was a year full of activity, and we are pleased to share this report on the Institute's progress.
News Article
We welcome two new Deputy Directors
July 3, 2023
We welcome Associate Professors Anna Garden and Natalie Plank as our new Deputy Directors, and bid farewell from our directorship team to Professor Paul Kruger and Associate Professor Geoff Willmott.
Annual Report
NanoCamp over the years - Annual Report 2022
April 21, 2023
The Institute’s inaugural NanoCamp was held at Massey University during the week January 19-23, 2009. Principal
Investigator Professor Shane Telfer who led the first NanoCamp says NanoCamp was an unreserved success.
Read more about NanoCamp over the years - Annual Report 2022
Annual Report
Journal Covers - Annual Report 2020
April 14, 2021
This page lists the various scientific journal covers that featured MacDiarmid Institute Investigators work in 2020.
Annual Report
Summer studentships for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni
March 30, 2021
Summer studentship descriptions for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni.
Read more about Summer studentships for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2019
May 26, 2020
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2019. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2019
May 25, 2020
In partnership with the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI), we held Kōrero sessions teaching nanoscience to early childhood and primary teachers.
Read more about Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2019
News Article
MacDiarmid Institute-led research recieves $4.1 million funding
November 5, 2019
MacDiarmid Institute-led advanced materials and nanotechnology research received $4.1 million funding through the 2019 Marsden Fund.
Read more about MacDiarmid Institute-led research recieves $4.1 million funding
Annual Report
Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Kōrero sessions were again held around the country – with two sessions held in each of three centres (Auckland 120 attendees, Wellington 32, Christchurch 49).
Read more about Kōrero partnership with NZEI - Annual Report 2018
Events
Good news for a change: Sustainability Tech in Aotearoa New Zealand and the science behind it - Nelson (31 August)
July 13, 2023
The topic for this year’s MacDiarmid Institute Regional Lecture Series is Good news for a change: Sustainability Tech in Aotearoa New Zealand and the science behind it.
Videos
MacDiarmid Institute DiscoveryCamp 2023 Waiata
August 24, 2023
The MacDiarmid Institute DiscoveryCamp 2023 participants in the Chemical and Process Engineering Labs at University of Canterbury.
Read more about MacDiarmid Institute DiscoveryCamp 2023 Waiata
Paul Kruger - building things with molecules
March 21, 2019
Professor Paul Kruger is using metal organic frameworks to capture carbon dioxide for emissions reduction efforts.
Read more about Paul Kruger - building things with molecules
MacDiarmid Institute DiscoveryCamp 2023
August 24, 2023
The MacDiarmid Institute DiscoveryCamp 2023 participants in the Chemical and Process Engineering Labs at University of Canterbury.
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