Braiding Dynamics of Majorana Modes. The project aims to investigate Majorana modes, exotic quantum particles which can be found in the new material class of Topological Superconductivity. In particular, they can be utilised to construct fault-tolerant quantum bits. Quantum logic gates are enabled by moving these Majorana modes around each other, i.e., by braiding them, leading to an error-free quantum performance. This project will deliver cutting-edge simulations to analyse the braiding proces ....Braiding Dynamics of Majorana Modes. The project aims to investigate Majorana modes, exotic quantum particles which can be found in the new material class of Topological Superconductivity. In particular, they can be utilised to construct fault-tolerant quantum bits. Quantum logic gates are enabled by moving these Majorana modes around each other, i.e., by braiding them, leading to an error-free quantum performance. This project will deliver cutting-edge simulations to analyse the braiding process in condensed matter systems and benchmark how these fault-tolerant quantum bits operate under real-world conditions. By providing the theory for advanced structures and devices, this project will inform experiments and pave the way for future technology based on topological phenomena.Read moreRead less
Topological semiconductors resonate with an elusive form of radiation. The aims of the project are to fill a substantial knowledge gap in a class of novel semiconductors that can function as sensors in a frequency range where conventional semiconductors do not work. The way these materials interact with light is not fully understood. The project expects to provide this understanding of great significance and generate new knowledge in physics and materials science. Expected outcomes include a res ....Topological semiconductors resonate with an elusive form of radiation. The aims of the project are to fill a substantial knowledge gap in a class of novel semiconductors that can function as sensors in a frequency range where conventional semiconductors do not work. The way these materials interact with light is not fully understood. The project expects to provide this understanding of great significance and generate new knowledge in physics and materials science. Expected outcomes include a results database that will guide experiments and enable future sensor design. The project expects to provide substantial benefits by identifying the best materials for use as sensors in this frequency range, which has applications in communications, defence, and in the Science and Research Priorities of Food and Transport.Read moreRead less
New carbon phases synthesized under extreme conditions. This project aims to address one of the major fundamental puzzles in carbon science; how to experimentally synthesize new phases of carbon predicted by theory. This could be approached via a combination of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation to transform novel nano-carbon precursors. The expected outcomes include new phases of carbon with unexplored properties, an understanding of the pathways for synthesis of carbon materials, an ....New carbon phases synthesized under extreme conditions. This project aims to address one of the major fundamental puzzles in carbon science; how to experimentally synthesize new phases of carbon predicted by theory. This could be approached via a combination of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation to transform novel nano-carbon precursors. The expected outcomes include new phases of carbon with unexplored properties, an understanding of the pathways for synthesis of carbon materials, and new computational tools to understand nano-carbon materials under extreme conditions. This should provide benefits for industries seeking advanced materials for modern manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Exciton-mediated room-temperature superconductivity . Superconductivity is the ability of an electronic material to conduct electrical current without resistance. This property underpins many existing and proposed technological applications, ranging from medical imaging to low-energy electronics and quantum computing. In this project, we aim to demonstrate a highly unconventional route towards superconductivity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, by exploiting collective behaviour of e ....Exciton-mediated room-temperature superconductivity . Superconductivity is the ability of an electronic material to conduct electrical current without resistance. This property underpins many existing and proposed technological applications, ranging from medical imaging to low-energy electronics and quantum computing. In this project, we aim to demonstrate a highly unconventional route towards superconductivity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, by exploiting collective behaviour of excitons (electron-hole pairs in a semiconductor) strongly coupled to photons. This research should help to overcome the biggest challenge for the widespread applications of superconductors: the very low temperature or extreme pressure that the superconducting materials need to function.Read moreRead less
Controllable quantum phases in two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials. This project aims to design novel two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials and to control electronic quantum phases therein. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in advanced materials, solid-state physics and quantum nanoscience. It will rely on supramolecular chemistry to synthesise new atomically precise functional materials. Expected outcomes include the fabrication of new advanced nanomaterial ....Controllable quantum phases in two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials. This project aims to design novel two-dimensional metal-organic nanomaterials and to control electronic quantum phases therein. The project expects to generate new fundamental knowledge in advanced materials, solid-state physics and quantum nanoscience. It will rely on supramolecular chemistry to synthesise new atomically precise functional materials. Expected outcomes include the fabrication of new advanced nanomaterials, as well as the observation and control of new quantum phenomena therein. The project should provide significant benefits, such as advancing basic research in quantum nanomaterials, and aiding to lay the foundation for next-generation electronics and information technologies.Read moreRead less
Atomic-Scale Engineering of Bioactive Organic Molecules on Surfaces. Advances in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) have enabled the precise engineering of matter at surfaces. The ability to image and track changes at surfaces is simply staggering, but the frontier of molecules with pharmaceutical and agrichemical importance remains unexplored. This interdisciplinary project aims to synthesise fundamental molecules and reveal molecular rearrangement pathways utilising SPM. Expected outcomes of this ....Atomic-Scale Engineering of Bioactive Organic Molecules on Surfaces. Advances in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) have enabled the precise engineering of matter at surfaces. The ability to image and track changes at surfaces is simply staggering, but the frontier of molecules with pharmaceutical and agrichemical importance remains unexplored. This interdisciplinary project aims to synthesise fundamental molecules and reveal molecular rearrangement pathways utilising SPM. Expected outcomes of this project include new methods to couple molecules otherwise unobtainable by traditional means and fundamental knowledge of molecular manipulation and chemical structure. This aims to provide significant benefits, such as the translation of new chemical principles to academic and industrial laboratories.Read moreRead less
Giant magnetic-thermoelectricity in topological materials . This project aims to explore magnetic field-induced exotic thermoelectricity in emerging topological materials and develop novel magnetic-field-mediated heat-to-electricity generators and coolers. The significance and outcomes of this project will be the discovery of new magnetic topological materials with thermoelectric conversion efficiency superior to traditional thermoelectric materials and unlocking the physics of the exotic magnet ....Giant magnetic-thermoelectricity in topological materials . This project aims to explore magnetic field-induced exotic thermoelectricity in emerging topological materials and develop novel magnetic-field-mediated heat-to-electricity generators and coolers. The significance and outcomes of this project will be the discovery of new magnetic topological materials with thermoelectric conversion efficiency superior to traditional thermoelectric materials and unlocking the physics of the exotic magnetic-field-correlated thermoelectric phenomena. The outcomes of this project will offer new avenues for novel applications of quantum topological materials and establish a solid foundation for the next generation of thermoelectric devices for various applications.Read moreRead less