University College London
Chemical Engineering

Halogenated anaesthetics such as isoflurane and sevoflurane are widely used across surgery, dentistry and veterinary medicine, often alongside nitrous oxide (N₂O). While effective, a large fraction of these gases is exhaled unchanged, contributing to the accumulation of waste anaesthetic gases (WAGs) in the atmosphere. Additionally, N₂O is routinely used for analgesia in dentistry and childbirth, where exposure levels on labour wards can exceed recommended limits for healthcare staff. Despite their clinical importance, there is currently no widely adopted technology to capture and contain emissions, posing both environmental and occupational health challenges.

This project develops a new class of filters based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), nanoporous materials that act as highly selective 'molecular sponges' for targeted gas capture. Their impressive surface areas, which often surpass traditional gas filtration materials, and their tuneable structures make them ideal materials for efficient WAG capture. Using high-throughput computational screening, the project will rapidly identify MOFs capable of selectively adsorbing key anaesthetic gases. Promising candidates will be validated experimentally through advanced gas sorption studies to determine optimal structures and chemistries of MOFs for efficient WAG capture.

The most effective materials will then be integrated into scalable filter designs, compatible with existing anaesthetic delivery systems in operating theatres and labour wards. In collaboration with clinicians at UCLH NHS Foundation Trust, prototypes will be designed using stakeholder feedback and evaluated in real-world clinical environments. By directly capturing WAG emissions at source, this work aims to reduce the carbon footprint of anaesthesia and improve air quality for healthcare professionals, demonstrating how advanced materials can deliver practical, real-world impact in various clinical settings."