Alex J. Stirk
@alexjstirk.bsky.social
Ph.D in rotaxane containing MOFs. Now in solid state pharma. Interested in all things solid state and interlocked.
Good article. I came to Canada as an international PhD student in 2012. PR in 2020.
How international students are exploited by the government and colleges is awful. Then they get blamed for all of Canada's recent problems. If you build a system, people will use it.
thewalrus.ca/canada-held-...
How international students are exploited by the government and colleges is awful. Then they get blamed for all of Canada's recent problems. If you build a system, people will use it.
thewalrus.ca/canada-held-...
Canada Held the Door Open for International Students. Then Slammed It in Their Face | The Walrus
They contributed more to the GDP than the entire auto industry. Now the country doesn’t want them anymore
thewalrus.ca
November 11, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Good article. I came to Canada as an international PhD student in 2012. PR in 2020.
How international students are exploited by the government and colleges is awful. Then they get blamed for all of Canada's recent problems. If you build a system, people will use it.
thewalrus.ca/canada-held-...
How international students are exploited by the government and colleges is awful. Then they get blamed for all of Canada's recent problems. If you build a system, people will use it.
thewalrus.ca/canada-held-...
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
This paper on "Inflatable porous organic crystals", by Len Barbour & his collaborators, looks rather excellent.
#ChemSky
#ChemSky
Inflatable porous organic crystals - Nature Materials
Reversible and unidirectional expansion of an acicular porous molecular crystal is observed with gas uptake. Using in situ structural and photomicrographic techniques, a molecular-level insight is obt...
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
This paper on "Inflatable porous organic crystals", by Len Barbour & his collaborators, looks rather excellent.
#ChemSky
#ChemSky
What a treat of a day! Carys had her first ferry ride, and I became a Canadian citizen. Sworn in by Dr. Mary White no less! A materials chemist welcomes in another.
October 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
What a treat of a day! Carys had her first ferry ride, and I became a Canadian citizen. Sworn in by Dr. Mary White no less! A materials chemist welcomes in another.
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
My tutorial review on single crystal diffraction analysis is now online @crystengcomm.rsc.org! Students, supervisors, and reviewers: Please consider this thought-provoking read to discover many facets of the crystallographic practice that are often overlooked or misunderstood 💎 #crystallography
Useful practices in single crystal diffraction analysis of reticular structures
Single crystal diffraction analysis remains the gold standard for the three-dimensional atomic structure characterization of framework materials such as metal–organic frameworks, covalent organic fram...
pubs.rsc.org
October 4, 2025 at 6:36 AM
My tutorial review on single crystal diffraction analysis is now online @crystengcomm.rsc.org! Students, supervisors, and reviewers: Please consider this thought-provoking read to discover many facets of the crystallographic practice that are often overlooked or misunderstood 💎 #crystallography
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi are this year's winners of the Nobel prize in chemistry for their work on MOFs – just a few grams of these materials can have the same surface area as a football pitch. Julia Robinson with the details.
2025 chemistry Nobel prize goes to the scientists behind metal–organic frameworks
Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi take top prize for discovery and development of versatile materials with a huge surface area
www.chemistryworld.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi are this year's winners of the Nobel prize in chemistry for their work on MOFs – just a few grams of these materials can have the same surface area as a football pitch. Julia Robinson with the details.
Yeeesss!!! Since many Loeb group PhDs mixed rotaxanes with MOFs I therefore claim double Nobel status and should be treated as such. You're very welcome.
Congratulations to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi! For more reaction, follow our live blog.
The 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry as it happens – live
Join us as we provide analysis and commentary in the run up to the announcement of the biggest prize in chemistry
www.chemistryworld.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Yeeesss!!! Since many Loeb group PhDs mixed rotaxanes with MOFs I therefore claim double Nobel status and should be treated as such. You're very welcome.
Ok, I know I'm really liking my new board, but I'm not sure it has an outboard motor.
September 30, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Ok, I know I'm really liking my new board, but I'm not sure it has an outboard motor.
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
In case someone was wondering about the origin of those frequences... 😌 I admit this is pretty challenging to decipher in terms of real-space to reciprocal-space relationship, without knowing know how it is made. #FourierTransform #Crystallography #Braggyourpattern
September 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
In case someone was wondering about the origin of those frequences... 😌 I admit this is pretty challenging to decipher in terms of real-space to reciprocal-space relationship, without knowing know how it is made. #FourierTransform #Crystallography #Braggyourpattern
Taken me so long to get to this point of owning my own board, but it's here! Torq 9'1". All waxed and ready to go on its maiden voyage!
August 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Taken me so long to get to this point of owning my own board, but it's here! Torq 9'1". All waxed and ready to go on its maiden voyage!
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
TIL that you can get hydrochloric acid like this. I have no idea why we bought this. It’s giving boxed wine / to-go vibes.
July 11, 2025 at 4:57 PM
TIL that you can get hydrochloric acid like this. I have no idea why we bought this. It’s giving boxed wine / to-go vibes.
To all of those going to ICCOSS '25. Just know that I'm extremely jealous and dying of envy.
I hope none of your projector adaptors work and they reschedule it to a more convenient date for me.
I hope none of your projector adaptors work and they reschedule it to a more convenient date for me.
July 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
To all of those going to ICCOSS '25. Just know that I'm extremely jealous and dying of envy.
I hope none of your projector adaptors work and they reschedule it to a more convenient date for me.
I hope none of your projector adaptors work and they reschedule it to a more convenient date for me.
New Stirk just dropped. She's so little! Mom is doing great. Looking forward to taking a break from chemistry for a little bit!
June 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
New Stirk just dropped. She's so little! Mom is doing great. Looking forward to taking a break from chemistry for a little bit!
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
🔗Medieval Chainmail meets Modern Materials! Our 2D [c2]daisy chain polymer (think: molecular-scale armor!) self-assembles into chainmail-like networks, achieving shape-shifting superpowers under stimuli.
⚡️ Breakthrough for soft robotics & smart textiles! #MaterialsScience
👉https://rdcu.be/ehOa6
⚡️ Breakthrough for soft robotics & smart textiles! #MaterialsScience
👉https://rdcu.be/ehOa6
April 15, 2025 at 11:15 AM
🔗Medieval Chainmail meets Modern Materials! Our 2D [c2]daisy chain polymer (think: molecular-scale armor!) self-assembles into chainmail-like networks, achieving shape-shifting superpowers under stimuli.
⚡️ Breakthrough for soft robotics & smart textiles! #MaterialsScience
👉https://rdcu.be/ehOa6
⚡️ Breakthrough for soft robotics & smart textiles! #MaterialsScience
👉https://rdcu.be/ehOa6
Cursed chemdraw.
Enzyme-loaded Fe3+-doped ZIF-90 particles as catalytic bioreactor hybrids for operating catalytic cascades http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2025/SC/D5SC01972A
May 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Cursed chemdraw.
Anyone else use a planetary mill for cocrystals?
I'm seeing a wide range of rpm/solvent volume/ball loadings. Anyone have a magic combination?
I'm seeing a wide range of rpm/solvent volume/ball loadings. Anyone have a magic combination?
April 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Anyone else use a planetary mill for cocrystals?
I'm seeing a wide range of rpm/solvent volume/ball loadings. Anyone have a magic combination?
I'm seeing a wide range of rpm/solvent volume/ball loadings. Anyone have a magic combination?
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
Remember those patterns? Our article is finally out on @naturecomms.bsky.social and you can read what disordered marvels caused them! Thanks to @nchampness.bsky.social @ellamschmidt.bsky.social & all the great scientists I joined in this journey 🎆
#MOF #crystallography #totalscattering #3DdeltaPDF
#MOF #crystallography #totalscattering #3DdeltaPDF
April 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Remember those patterns? Our article is finally out on @naturecomms.bsky.social and you can read what disordered marvels caused them! Thanks to @nchampness.bsky.social @ellamschmidt.bsky.social & all the great scientists I joined in this journey 🎆
#MOF #crystallography #totalscattering #3DdeltaPDF
#MOF #crystallography #totalscattering #3DdeltaPDF
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
🇨🇦 Come be our colleague! @uottawascience.bsky.social is hiring a supervisor for our X-Ray Core Facility, with new high end equipment coming soon. Ottawa is a beautiful place to live. Please share widely!
10 days left to apply: uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uOttaw...
10 days left to apply: uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uOttaw...
March 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
🇨🇦 Come be our colleague! @uottawascience.bsky.social is hiring a supervisor for our X-Ray Core Facility, with new high end equipment coming soon. Ottawa is a beautiful place to live. Please share widely!
10 days left to apply: uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uOttaw...
10 days left to apply: uottawa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/uOttaw...
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
I'm not sure I agree, but I do think there is a point here. One could argue that experts in areas from public health to economics to (gasp) political science have been too confident that the public should follow their recommendations because they are 'right'. But that's an odd form of democracy. 4/n
March 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM
I'm not sure I agree, but I do think there is a point here. One could argue that experts in areas from public health to economics to (gasp) political science have been too confident that the public should follow their recommendations because they are 'right'. But that's an odd form of democracy. 4/n
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
So, hear me out:
February 25, 2025 at 10:36 PM
So, hear me out:
Reposted by Alex J. Stirk
What an incredible loss for the crystallography community and science in general. Prof Sheldrick was truly a giant and such a nice person. May he rest in peace 🕯️
I have just heard about the passing of George Sheldrick. He was a giant in the field of crystallography and will be greatly missed.
February 21, 2025 at 11:58 PM
What an incredible loss for the crystallography community and science in general. Prof Sheldrick was truly a giant and such a nice person. May he rest in peace 🕯️
Not just artists. Scientists too. Has anyone questioned about who can actually afford to move and do graduate school/post-docs now?
Yes scholarships exist, but sometimes the upfront moving cost is too much.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Yes scholarships exist, but sometimes the upfront moving cost is too much.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Working-class creatives don’t stand a chance in UK today, leading artists warn
Exclusive: Analysis by the Guardian shows a third of major arts leaders were educated privately
www.theguardian.com
February 21, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Not just artists. Scientists too. Has anyone questioned about who can actually afford to move and do graduate school/post-docs now?
Yes scholarships exist, but sometimes the upfront moving cost is too much.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Yes scholarships exist, but sometimes the upfront moving cost is too much.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Ok. Now I've seen it corrected as a possessive and non-possesive.
Do you say:"pKas", "pKa's" or pKas'"
In the context of: "their low pKas led to..blah blah".
Do you say:"pKas", "pKa's" or pKas'"
In the context of: "their low pKas led to..blah blah".
February 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Ok. Now I've seen it corrected as a possessive and non-possesive.
Do you say:"pKas", "pKa's" or pKas'"
In the context of: "their low pKas led to..blah blah".
Do you say:"pKas", "pKa's" or pKas'"
In the context of: "their low pKas led to..blah blah".