MATERIALS PHYSICS

Materials have played a central role in the development of civilisation from the Bronze Age to the Semiconductor Age. We aim to understand and predict the properties of materials and the processes by which they grow or transform. We also provide guidance for experimental research, help to interpret observations, and seek ways to enhance materials’ properties. Our theoretical work is often helped by simulations, which include accurate quantum mechanical calculations, atomistic and more coarsely-grained approaches, and continuum models.

COMPLEXITY AND NETWORKS

Through data-driven research and modelling, we investigate the properties of systems whose complex behaviour emerges from large numbers of interacting components. For example, why are ant societies, whose elaborate highly-organised macroscopic (colony-level) properties emerge from microscopic interactions between ants, so successful?

CORRELATED QUANTUM SYSTEMS

Using theoretical techniques from quantum field theory and computer simulations, we study the cooperative collective behaviour of nanoscale quantum systems. Specific systems of interest include dissipationless phases of matter, which may be useful for quantum information processing, and the dynamics of nanoscale mechanical systems driven far from equilibrium. Our work continually throws up fundamental questions relating to quantum mechanics and how thermodynamics may be adapted to nanometre length scales.

METAMATERIALS, PLASMONICS, NANOPHOTONICS

Plasmonics and nanophotonics investigates ways to confine electromagnetic radiation to nanoscale volumes below the diffraction limit. This is achieved via the excitation of hybrid light/matter modes in metallic nanostructures, and is developing into a disruptive technology for all areas of science where the manipulation of light is a prominent ingredient: biochemical sensing, solar light harvesting, photomedical therapies, and optoelectronics, for example. …

Metamaterials are artificial solids designed to guide electromagnetic fields or acoustic waves. The properties of conventional materials are determined by chemical composition and how the atoms are arranged. Metamaterials, on the other hand, consist of arrays of specially-engineered units organised on much larger length scales. They can be designed to manipulate photons and electrons in ways that cannot be achieved with conventional materials. This has inspired scientists to conceive perfect lenses, new lasers, 'invisibility cloaks’ and opened the door to slow and stopped broadband light.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MATERIALS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT USE

The ability to capture and store solar energy is a key requirement for a sustainable economy. Research  concerns the application of nanostructured materials to achieve efficient gains in photovoltaic devices. This includes quantum photovoltaics, ultra-high-efficiency solar cells, organic solar cells, as well as energy efficient materials, solid oxide fuel cells, and materials for energy refrigeration and power transmission.

SECURITY, SENSORS AND NANOMAGNETISM

This includes applications of nanostructured optoelectronic materials from plasmonics and metamaterials, nano magnetism, and narrow-gap semiconductors.

RESEARCH AT THE INTERFACE WITH BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Focus areas are mid-infrared imaging for cancer detection, nanoplasmonics for biological sensing, and organic photoconductors for x-ray imaging.

PLASTIC AND OPTOELECTRONICS FOR ICT

Work in this area encompasses plastic electronics, polymer gain media for lasers and optical amplifiers, semiconductor nanophotonics and photonic crystals, highly integrated optics, organic and oxide microelectronics, and quantum optics in the solid state.