Metastable functional materials
We are exploring the control of function and properties of materials away from equilibrium using a combination of external stimuli. Applications include solid-state sensors and switches, including next-generation molecular ferroelectric compounds. Our research into metastable materials is supported by the Philip Leverhulme Prize in Chemistry.
Optical stimuli
including single-crystal phase transitions due to linkage isomerism.
Thermal stimuli
involving displacive instabilities, including highly anharmonic systems where there exists large differences between local and average structures.
Electrical stimuli
including both conventional ferroelectrics, with macroscopic polarisation, to systems that exhibit microscopic polarisation domains that respond to an applied electric field.
Kinetic control
covering crystal engineering into new polymorphs, as well as the fabrication of artificial heterostructures and material composites.