Addressing Current Issues in Multiferroics

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics

Abstract

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Publications

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Evans DM (2013) Magnetic switching of ferroelectric domains at room temperature in multiferroic PZTFT. in Nature communications

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Evans DM (2014) Switching ferroelectric domain configurations using both electric and magnetic fields in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-Pb(Fe,Ta)O3 single-crystal lamellae. in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences

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Evans DM (2015) The nature of magnetoelectric coupling in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 -Pb(Fe,Ta)O3. in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

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Lashley JC (2014) Phase transitions in the brominated ferroelectric tris-sarcosine calcium chloride. in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

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Rowley S (2014) Ferroelectric quantum criticality in Nature Physics

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Scott J (2013) Self-assembly and switching in ferroelectrics and multiferroics in EPL (Europhysics Letters)

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Scott J (2015) Searching for new ferroelectrics and multiferroics: A user's point of view in npj Computational Materials

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Scott J (2013) Critical exponents for anisotropic thermal expansion at ferroelectric Curie temperatures: Evidence for defect mechanisms in EPL (Europhysics Letters)

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Yadav AK (2016) Observation of polar vortices in oxide superlattices. in Nature

 
Description I have discovered some new nano-scale structures in multiferroic thin films, which have a bearing on commercial products now produced in Korea and Japan. Many years ago (1986) I was one of the inventors of ferroelectric memories, which are now used in Japan, Korea, and Washington, DC, as the equivalent of the London "oyster card" for subway fares ("Felica" brand name), and as cash cards ("e-money") under the brand name Edy.

These ferroelectric memories have reached ca. £100 million in yearly revenue.

In the past few years under my EPSRC grant I have extended that kind of research to multiferrroic materials. These are both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic, making them capable of improved operation in the future for commercial products, compared with the existing cards.

My work related to my EPSRC grant EP/J017825/1 ending in May 2015 resulted in 9 papers published in Nature-family journals (Nature, Nature Communications, npg Asia Materials, npg Computational Materials, and npg Scientific Reports) and 4 in Physical Review Letters. These are probably the world's leading physics journals.
Exploitation Route Yes. Future subway fare cards. A high-tech spin-off company is possible, but licensing to a large corporation preferable.
Sectors Electronics,Transport
 
Description Ferroelectric random access memories have in the past three years become a fully commercial product, with more than £100 million/year sales in Japan (Suica and Felica) and the USA (Texas Instruments) as subway/train fare cards (similar to the London "oyster card") as well as for cash-points ("e-money"), vending machines, and convenience stores. 2017 sales are estimated at nearly £1 billion. The newest development is multiferroic memories, which should combine the advantages of magnetic stripe cards and ferroelectric chip cards. A ferroelectric memory is also to be launched by the US Navy in its "Minisat" satellite this year.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Retail,Transport
Impact Types Societal,Economic