Nanocomposite Oxide Thin Films For Novel Ionotronic Magnetoelectrics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy
Abstract
Ionotronic devices rely on charge effects based on ions instead of/or in addition to electrons. The field has begun to gain very wide attention recently. It has been applied mainly to oxide thin film memristors (resistance depends on voltage and can be switched between an 'on' and an 'off' state of high and low resistance). These devices are interesting for creating electrically switchable memory, but there are challenges with these structures including the requirement of a setting process and variable properties from one film to another.
In this proposal, we have the new idea to utilise ionotronic effects to create a new kind of electrically switchable memory. Here ionic defects at vertical interfaces in vertical nanocomposite thin films charge couple to magnetism in a magnetic transition metal oxide. Since the cation valences in the metal oxide depend on oxygen concentration or charge state, and since the magnetic properties depend on cation valences, it should be possible to switch magnetism on and off by applying an electric field. This device is an ionotronic magnetoelectric, and it represents a completely new form of magnetoelectric RAM.
Magnetoelectric RAM is where electric field controls magnetism instead of electric current doing so as in other forms of RAM, and it is a long sought-after goal. It offers the possibility of low power, very high density, high-speed reading and writing times, and non-volatility. Low energy, high performance computing is promised with this technology. However, while a range of structures and materials have been studied to date, none has proved practical in terms of ease of structure formation, stability, temperature of operation, or size of magnetoelectric effect.
Making the ionotronic magnetoelectric a practical reality is not trivial, and relies on advanced materials science - the growth of very thin films, the creation of highly ordered materials combinations on a very small scale (1/0000 the thickness of a human hair), the movement of charges along interface nanochannels near to room temperature, the knowledge of which materials combine together in a compatible way, the imaging of materials at the atomic scale, etc. To attain the 'practical magnetoelectric' dream we propose to create and measure new structures, we will use unique experimental capabilities and will also collaborate with world-leading researchers. Our starting point for the research is our ability to create, at the nanometre scale, ionic interface channels in perfect vertical nanocomposite films. We have also observed the first signs that ions can indeed charge couple to magnetic properties.
In this proposal, we have the new idea to utilise ionotronic effects to create a new kind of electrically switchable memory. Here ionic defects at vertical interfaces in vertical nanocomposite thin films charge couple to magnetism in a magnetic transition metal oxide. Since the cation valences in the metal oxide depend on oxygen concentration or charge state, and since the magnetic properties depend on cation valences, it should be possible to switch magnetism on and off by applying an electric field. This device is an ionotronic magnetoelectric, and it represents a completely new form of magnetoelectric RAM.
Magnetoelectric RAM is where electric field controls magnetism instead of electric current doing so as in other forms of RAM, and it is a long sought-after goal. It offers the possibility of low power, very high density, high-speed reading and writing times, and non-volatility. Low energy, high performance computing is promised with this technology. However, while a range of structures and materials have been studied to date, none has proved practical in terms of ease of structure formation, stability, temperature of operation, or size of magnetoelectric effect.
Making the ionotronic magnetoelectric a practical reality is not trivial, and relies on advanced materials science - the growth of very thin films, the creation of highly ordered materials combinations on a very small scale (1/0000 the thickness of a human hair), the movement of charges along interface nanochannels near to room temperature, the knowledge of which materials combine together in a compatible way, the imaging of materials at the atomic scale, etc. To attain the 'practical magnetoelectric' dream we propose to create and measure new structures, we will use unique experimental capabilities and will also collaborate with world-leading researchers. Our starting point for the research is our ability to create, at the nanometre scale, ionic interface channels in perfect vertical nanocomposite films. We have also observed the first signs that ions can indeed charge couple to magnetic properties.
Planned Impact
This research has both fundamental and applied aspects. On a fundamental level we are exploring a new paradigm in thin film materials design and nanostructuring. We aim to develop a plug-in approach for designing new systems in the future. The impact here will be the generation of knowledge in an entirely new area which could have long-term societal and economic benefits.
There are also applied aspects to our work. Our main thrust is to demonstrate devices with properties above and beyond what can be generated by any other means. Examples are that we have recently patented a high performance, non-forming process, high retention memristor nanocomposite device. We are now aiming to move well beyond this, to create a practical magnetoelectric device. These systems have potential in new types of fast, low power consumption computer memory. We will patent actively in the area and seek external licensors. We have a very good track record in getting patents licensed. There is clear economic impact from patent licensing. We will also liaise closely with 2 industries (Deregallera, UK, and Applied Materials, USA and Germany) who are keen to be involved in the project.
As far as societal impact goes, we will generate highly skilled technical researchers within an international training environment. Cambridge is a high tech. hub with many job openings for technically skilled people. Our trained researchers have gone to both local companies and international ones. Also, several of our researchers have got good jobs in academia in the UK and EU. This proposal will allow us to keep feeding excellent researchers into companies and academia which will have direct benefit to UK society and the knowledge economy.
There are also applied aspects to our work. Our main thrust is to demonstrate devices with properties above and beyond what can be generated by any other means. Examples are that we have recently patented a high performance, non-forming process, high retention memristor nanocomposite device. We are now aiming to move well beyond this, to create a practical magnetoelectric device. These systems have potential in new types of fast, low power consumption computer memory. We will patent actively in the area and seek external licensors. We have a very good track record in getting patents licensed. There is clear economic impact from patent licensing. We will also liaise closely with 2 industries (Deregallera, UK, and Applied Materials, USA and Germany) who are keen to be involved in the project.
As far as societal impact goes, we will generate highly skilled technical researchers within an international training environment. Cambridge is a high tech. hub with many job openings for technically skilled people. Our trained researchers have gone to both local companies and international ones. Also, several of our researchers have got good jobs in academia in the UK and EU. This proposal will allow us to keep feeding excellent researchers into companies and academia which will have direct benefit to UK society and the knowledge economy.
Organisations
- University of Cambridge (Lead Research Organisation)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Purdue University (Collaboration)
- Imperial College London (Project Partner)
- University of Warwick (Project Partner)
- Applied Materials (United States) (Project Partner)
- Texas A&M University (Project Partner)
- Deregallera (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Judith Driscoll (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Baiutti F
(2021)
A high-entropy manganite in an ordered nanocomposite for long-term application in solid oxide cells
in Nature Communications
Yun C
(2020)
Achieving ferromagnetic insulating properties in La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 thin films through nanoengineering.
in Nanoscale
Zhang X
(2020)
Achieving Ohmic conduction behavior at high electric field via interface manipulation
in Applied Surface Science
Wu R
(2018)
All-Oxide Nanocomposites to Yield Large, Tunable Perpendicular Exchange Bias above Room Temperature.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Napari M
(2020)
Antiferromagnetism and p-type conductivity of nonstoichiometric nickel oxide thin films
in InfoMat
Description | We have determined that we can achieve a strong magnetoelectric effect in nanocomposite films incorporating ionic and magnetic phases in a single, self-assembled film. A direct electric field manipulation of magnetism in a practical film has not be achieved before. We are in the process of preparing papers and on further understanding and developing demonstrator devices |
Exploitation Route | It may be used in practical magnetoelectric RAM, but this will not happen right away. |
Sectors | Electronics |
Description | ECCS - EPSRC Development of uniform, low power, high density resistive memory by vertical interface and defect design |
Amount | £384,241 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T012218/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 08/2023 |
Title | Research data supporting "Real-Time In-Situ Optical Tracking of Oxygen Vacancy Migration in Memristors" |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/311290 |
Description | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
Organisation | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Sharing of ideas and samples and papers |
Collaborator Contribution | Equipment, measurements and discussions |
Impact | many of the listed papers |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Purdue Univ. |
Organisation | Purdue University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | TEM done on our materials. |
Collaborator Contribution | Lots of TEM |
Impact | Many papers. Further EPSRC funding. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | EMA 2018, January, Orlando Florida |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EMA 2018, January, Orlando Florida |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | EMA 2019, January, Orlando Florida |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | EMA 2019, January, Orlando Florida |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | EMA conference in Florida, January 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk given. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Fall MRS Conference, Boston, 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk given on the research from this proposal |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Heraeus magnetoionics meeting Germany |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk on magnetoionics |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | IWAM 2018 conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | talk on nano composite thin films |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | IWAM 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk on superlattices compared to nanocomposites |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | IWAM 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | talk on magnetoelectrics and ionics |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Resisistive switching |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | i am organising this meeting on memory. We will all present many poster presentations at it. https://horizons.aip.org/materials-challenges/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://horizons.aip.org/materials-challenges/ |
Description | talk on ionotronic magnetoelectrics at Los Alamos national lab. 7.2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Talk on magnetoeletric/ magnetoionics |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |