Our people
- Phone:
- +64 6 356 9099, ext. 84656
Address:
IFS-Chemistry
Massey University
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North 4442
Biography
Shane Telfer was born in the town of Clyde in Central Otago, New Zealand. He completed a BSc (Hons) and a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Canterbury, and is now a Professor of Chemistry at Massey University. This gradual drift northwards was punctuated by a post-doctoral odyssey that included stops in Geneva, Tokyo and Montreal.
Shane has broad interests in synthetic chemistry and molecular materials. The current focus of his research is the chemistry of metal-organic frameworks, a tremendously exciting new class of sponge-like materials. The pores in metal-organic frameworks are capable of sustainable gas storage (including carbon dioxide), separations and catalysis. Shane is the founder of startup company Captivate.
Research interests
We currently focus on metal-organic frameworks, which are crystalline ‘molecular sponges’ that have applications in gas storage, separations and catalysis. We are exploring new ways to design and synthesize these materials and to enhance their functional properties. We also have a keen interest in synthesizing new chromophoric compounds for applications in photovoltaics.
We create something out of nothing.
Professor Shane Telfer
In the news
News Article
Celebrating Matariki values in our research
June 27, 2024
Deputy Director Māori, Associate Professor Pauline Harris, explores some of our research that relates to the values of Matariki.
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
Spin-outs formed in 2022
April 20, 2023
Matthew Cowan – University of Canterbury
Permeance Limited
Laura Domigan – University of Auckland
Opo Bio Limited
Franck Natali - Victoria University of Wellington
Liquium
Shane...
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2021
May 9, 2022
This provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators in 2021.
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2020
March 24, 2021
This provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators in 2020.
Annual Report
Future sustainability science at Te Papa
July 3, 2020
We partnered with Te Papa Tongarewa to include future sustainability science in the new Te Taiao | Nature exhibition.
Annual Report
How can materials science offer a greener future for our planet? - Annual Report 2019
May 28, 2020
In 2019, we focused our annual regional showcase on 'NZ Innovation for Sustainability.'
Annual Report
Patents and Spinouts 2019 - Annual Report 2019
May 27, 2020
This article from our 2019 Annual Report provides information about the MacDiarmid Institute's latest inventions, patents and spinouts.
Read more about Patents and Spinouts 2019 - Annual Report 2019
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.
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
News Article
Showcasing science for future sustainability at Te Papa
August 22, 2019
Te Papa’s Nature exhibit features some of our scientists' work creating materials for energy technology key to mitigating climate change.
Read more about Showcasing science for future sustainability at Te Papa
Annual Report
Metal Organic Frameworks - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
An entire rugby turf in a teaspoon: the tiny crystal game-changers in combatting climate change.
Read more about Metal Organic Frameworks - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Case studies - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Engender Ltd was formed by Principal Investigator Professor Cather Simpson in 2011 to provide a solution to the problem dairy farmers have of selecting the sex of their calves.
Annual Report
Patents and spinouts 2018 - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
This article from our 2018 Annual Report provides information about the MacDiarmid Institute's latest inventions, patents and spinouts.
Read more about Patents and spinouts 2018 - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
Science of Surfaces bootcamp - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
This year 30 MacDiarmid Institute students - chemists and physicists - met up in Wanaka to discuss the science of...
Read more about Science of Surfaces bootcamp - Annual Report 2018
In The Media
MacDiarmid Professor Shane Telfer helps easing life for asthmatics
December 12, 2017
Scientists hope to help asthma sufferers and others needing oxygen at home by developing molecular sponges with nanoscale-sized pores to purify the air.
Read more about MacDiarmid Professor Shane Telfer helps easing life for asthmatics
Interface Magazine
Luke Liu: Metal-Organic Frameworks
July 10, 2015
Luke Liu builds molecular sponges—known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, these molecular sponges have the potential to store and separate industrial compounds such as hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide with high efficiency. The energy required to separate these compounds using current methods is high—for example, about a third of the power generated from coal burning is used to capture the carbon dioxide from the post-combustion gas mixtures produced during the coal burning process.
Interface Magazine
Public Lecture Series: The Energy Revolution
July 10, 2015
The age of fossil fuels is coming to an end and global warming from their burning is undeniable - but when will tomorrow begin? Will there be a long transition period, with a mish-mash of renewables while we learn to harness the sun’s energy efficiently, as plants have been doing for 3.5 billion years? Is there even enough sunlight striking the Earth to supply the increasing energy demands of 6-9 billion humans?
Read more about Public Lecture Series: The Energy Revolution
Events
To Industry and Beyond - Tauranga (21 November)
September 28, 2022
Professor Shane Telfer and Dr Anna Farquhar focus on pathways from science to industry as part of "To Industry and Beyond".
Videos
2019 Lecture Series: NZ Innovation for Sustainability
August 28, 2019
Associate Professor Carla Meledandri and Professor Shane Telfer talk about how materials science is offering a greener future for our planet.
Read more about 2019 Lecture Series: NZ Innovation for Sustainability
2022 Lecture Series: To Industry and Beyond
March 7, 2023
Professor Shane Telfer and Dr Anna Farquhar focus on pathways from science to industry.
Shane Telfer - microscopic pores for CO2 capture
March 21, 2019
Professor Shane Telfer is working to capture carbon in the atmosphere so climate change can be more effectively tackled.
Read more about Shane Telfer - microscopic pores for CO2 capture
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