Designer Oxides: Reactive-Oxide Molecular Beam Epitaxy System
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Advanced materials are a key enabling technology, lying at the heart of every new or improved device or technology application. Oxide-based materials hold enormous promise to deliver a step change across a multitude of technology sectors, with their rich physical properties making them ideal candidates to deliver transformative advances in areas spanning from heterogeneous catalysis to novel quantum electronics. To realise their full potential, however, it is necessary to develop ways to tune their physical properties in order to stablise a desired combination of materials characteristics "on demand" for a given application. We propose the creation of a world-wide unique facility for such a guided synthesis of designer oxide materials, paving the way to next generation oxide-based technologies.
The core of this new facility will be a state-of-the art reactive-oxide molecular-beam epitaxy system, enabling the growth of atomic-scale structured transition-metal oxide heterostructures and metastable thin films. It will be coupled to existing state-of-the-art spectroscopic probes including low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy and angle-resolved photoemission. This will provide unprecedented feedback on the atomic and electronic structure and the quantum many-body interactions at the heart of the exotic properties of many oxides, revealing how these can be tuned through custom materials growth to create new advanced materials. This will open new avenues for research in correlated electron systems, materials for energy storage and harvesting, catalysis, sensing, quantum technologies and nanoscience, all exploiting tailored states in artificial oxides. It will operate as a shared facility, which we aim to establish as a leading centre for the supply of custom oxide thin films within the UK.
The core of this new facility will be a state-of-the art reactive-oxide molecular-beam epitaxy system, enabling the growth of atomic-scale structured transition-metal oxide heterostructures and metastable thin films. It will be coupled to existing state-of-the-art spectroscopic probes including low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy and angle-resolved photoemission. This will provide unprecedented feedback on the atomic and electronic structure and the quantum many-body interactions at the heart of the exotic properties of many oxides, revealing how these can be tuned through custom materials growth to create new advanced materials. This will open new avenues for research in correlated electron systems, materials for energy storage and harvesting, catalysis, sensing, quantum technologies and nanoscience, all exploiting tailored states in artificial oxides. It will operate as a shared facility, which we aim to establish as a leading centre for the supply of custom oxide thin films within the UK.
Planned Impact
The reactive-oxide molecular-beam epitaxy system proposed here will enable new advances in our ability to manipulate novel oxide quantum materials, providing new insights into their fundamental properties, and developing new approaches to create custom materials by design with optimized properties for future quantum technologies.
Potential beneficiaries in the commercial sector include a range of high-tech companies. Pyreos, GMI, Sasol and Johnson Matthey have already expressed interest in collaboration while more generally, future quantum-based technology has been identified as a major pillar of a UK high-tech economy, with a network of national hubs currently being developed. Materials grown in the oxide MBE proposed here have strong potential to become a key enabler of such technologies, as well as providing new advanced materials for energy recovery and storage devices, sensing, and catalysis.
To ensure awareness in relevant industry sectors, we will build on preexisting connections, for example through the industrial associates programme of the Condensed Matter DTC, and the St Andrews-based programme grant TOPNES, as well as making new contacts through relevant Knowledge Transfer Networks. The PI/co-Is will work with their dedicated School Research Business Development Manager Dr. Andy Liken and the Knowledge Transfer Centre to patent-protect and explore licensing opportunities for arising intellectual property (IP). Once any potentially valuable IP has been protected by patent applications, results shall be published in high quality international journals and presented at international conferences to ensure visibility and impact in the research community. These activities will also lead to the establishment of new commercial and academic relationships.
Training of PhD students and postdocs in the growth of materials and their subsequent characterization and nanofabrication will yield the next generation of highly-skilled personnel for research and development, both in academia and industry, forming an indispensible part of the "people pipeline". With a view on market development of quantum technologies based on advanced materials, key to the development of a successful industrial sector will be the availability of highly qualified personnel. Establishing such a workforce within the UK could prove a decisive criterion for multinationals in deciding where to base operations.
Beyond supplying professionals with relevant specialized skills, the research and training will supply the job market in the UK with highly trained and educated professionals with the skills to solve problems, think creatively and actively pursue challenging projects. For highly developed countries like the UK with often diminishing natural resources, the education of the work force is the key economic factor to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly globalized environment.
The wider public will be engaged through a dedicated website, media interviews, press releases and general and popular articles. The concepts of material design by MBE can be very well made understandable to lay public as atomic-scale LEGO. The project will benefit from related outreach activities of the Condensed Matter DTC and the programme grant TOPNES. We will apply for presentation of our research outputs at high-profile science fairs, such as the Royal Society Summer Exhibition.
Potential beneficiaries in the commercial sector include a range of high-tech companies. Pyreos, GMI, Sasol and Johnson Matthey have already expressed interest in collaboration while more generally, future quantum-based technology has been identified as a major pillar of a UK high-tech economy, with a network of national hubs currently being developed. Materials grown in the oxide MBE proposed here have strong potential to become a key enabler of such technologies, as well as providing new advanced materials for energy recovery and storage devices, sensing, and catalysis.
To ensure awareness in relevant industry sectors, we will build on preexisting connections, for example through the industrial associates programme of the Condensed Matter DTC, and the St Andrews-based programme grant TOPNES, as well as making new contacts through relevant Knowledge Transfer Networks. The PI/co-Is will work with their dedicated School Research Business Development Manager Dr. Andy Liken and the Knowledge Transfer Centre to patent-protect and explore licensing opportunities for arising intellectual property (IP). Once any potentially valuable IP has been protected by patent applications, results shall be published in high quality international journals and presented at international conferences to ensure visibility and impact in the research community. These activities will also lead to the establishment of new commercial and academic relationships.
Training of PhD students and postdocs in the growth of materials and their subsequent characterization and nanofabrication will yield the next generation of highly-skilled personnel for research and development, both in academia and industry, forming an indispensible part of the "people pipeline". With a view on market development of quantum technologies based on advanced materials, key to the development of a successful industrial sector will be the availability of highly qualified personnel. Establishing such a workforce within the UK could prove a decisive criterion for multinationals in deciding where to base operations.
Beyond supplying professionals with relevant specialized skills, the research and training will supply the job market in the UK with highly trained and educated professionals with the skills to solve problems, think creatively and actively pursue challenging projects. For highly developed countries like the UK with often diminishing natural resources, the education of the work force is the key economic factor to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly globalized environment.
The wider public will be engaged through a dedicated website, media interviews, press releases and general and popular articles. The concepts of material design by MBE can be very well made understandable to lay public as atomic-scale LEGO. The project will benefit from related outreach activities of the Condensed Matter DTC and the programme grant TOPNES. We will apply for presentation of our research outputs at high-profile science fairs, such as the Royal Society Summer Exhibition.
Publications
Feng J
(2018)
Electronic Structure and Enhanced Charge-Density Wave Order of Monolayer VSe2.
in Nano letters
Watson M
(2020)
Strong-coupling charge density wave in monolayer TiSe 2
in 2D Materials
Rajan A
(2020)
Morphology control of epitaxial monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides
in Physical Review Materials
Vinai G
(2020)
Proximity-induced ferromagnetism and chemical reactivity in few-layer VSe 2 heterostructures
in Physical Review B
Antonelli T
(2024)
Controlling the Charge Density Wave Transition in Single-Layer TiTe2xSe2(1-x) Alloys by Band Gap Engineering.
in Nano letters
Description | The strategic equipment grant "Designer oxides" has formed the nucleus of a new Centre at the University of St Andrews, which combines a set of unique research infrastructures, including angular resolved photoemission spectroscopy and low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. It has created a unique centre to study the emergent states of quantum materials and create and design novel quantum materials in thin film form, ultimately to make them amenable for device fabrication and to enable transformative advances in information processing. First results from the research enabled through this equipment have already appeared in leading journals, and demonstrate the power of our integrated approach to study quantum materials. We have been able to show how emergent states change with reduced dimensionality, showing new routes to control them and make them useful for potential future device applications. |
Exploitation Route | The equipment has already enabled us to attract substantial research funding, and we are working to further explore quantum materials in thin films form. Samples grown using the Molecular Beam Epitaxy system have been given to researchers outside the University of St Andrews for further study, and have been used for studies at international facilities. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Other |
URL | http://www.cdqm.uk |
Description | This grant has formed the heart-piece of the Centre for Designer Quantum Materials, a centre which has attracted substantial funding from ESPRC, ERC, Leverhulme, and the Royal Society as well as talented scientists (e.g. on an EPSRC fellowship) from outside the UK. The Centre provides a unique combination of infrastructure, bringing UK research on designer quantum materials to the forefront at an internationally competitive level. The Molecular Beam Epitaxy System funded through this grant enables layered growth of designer oxide heterostructures, with control over the precise composition of each layer. It opens the door to exploitation of the exciting emergent properties of transition metal oxides for novel electronics exploiting these, a route which has been suggested in the Roadmap of the International Semiconductor Technology Group as a possible way to further increase the performance of information technology. The centre has attracted substantial attraction in the press, with an opening that has been covered by STV and BBC, and which was featured by BBC shortly after its opening. The equipment of the Centre has a lifetime of a couple of decades and more, and we are expecting its socio-economic impacts to be realized only in the coming decades. |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Other |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
Description | EPSRC Prioritisation Panel |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewPanel.aspx?PanelId=1-2D6JYU |
Description | Designer Quantum Materials - Thermodynamics and Transport |
Amount | £1,220,782 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P024564/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 11/2023 |
Description | European Research Council Starting Investigator Award |
Amount | € 1,999,825 (EUR) |
Funding ID | QUESTDO |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Leverhulme Research Leadership Award |
Amount | £999,629 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Measurement Suite for the Accelerated Design of Advanced, Quantum and Functional Materials |
Amount | £1,352,178 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T031441/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2023 |
Description | Royal Society Research Fellows Enhancement Award |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Spin-resolved electronic structure imaging and microscopy |
Amount | £1,420,124 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R025169/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Suppressing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in public spaces through surface engineering |
Amount | £273,172 (GBP) |
Funding ID | MR/V028464/1 |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 08/2021 |
Description | Thin film x-ray diffraction |
Amount | £225,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T023449/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2020 |
End | 08/2021 |
Title | Electronic structure and enhanced charge-density wave order of monolayer VSe2 (dataset) |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Title | Strong-coupling charge density wave in monolayer TiSe2 (dataset) |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk:443/portal/en/datasets/strongcoupling-charge-density-wave-in-monolay... |
Description | Characterising the structure of oxide thin films. |
Organisation | Pyreos |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We characterised wafers from Pyreos to enable a better understanding of the structure. (details are protected by an NDA) |
Collaborator Contribution | Pyreos provided wafers for the characterisation. (details are protected by an NDA) |
Impact | This has been a multi-disciplinary collaboration. I can provide specifics on the project because they are protected by a non-disclosure agreement. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | EMRS, Virtual Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The VIRTUAL 2021 Spring Meeting will consist of parallel symposia with invited speakers, oral and poster presentations, assorted by plenary sessions and a number of workshops and training courses. As a new item for posters, short oral presentation will give each attendee the opportunity to highlight the major results. The high quality scientific program will address different topics organized into 19 symposia arranged in 4 clusters covering the fields of energy materials, nanomaterials and advanced characterization, biomaterials and soft materials, as well as materials for electronics, magnetics and photonics. In parallel with the technical sessions, international exhibitors will have the opportunity to promote their equipment, systems, products, software, publications and services during the meeting. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.european-mrs.com/meetings/2021-spring-meeting-0 |
Description | MEMP 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Pune is organizing an International Conference on Multifunctional Electronic Materials & Processing (MEMP 2021) at Pune, India during 8-10 March 2021. MEMP-2021 provide an opportunity to scientists, researchers, academicians and young students to interact with eminent scientists/technologists working in the field of multifunctional electronic materials for various applications & their processing for making devices. Materials required for energy storage, energy generation, Nanostructured materials, Quantum dots, Sensors, Neutrino Energy Conversion /storage. Flexible devices, Photonic devices and processing techniques like Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) will be discussed here. MEMP 2021 will serve as a common platform for discussing the new ideas developments/ breakthroughs and future prospects pertaining to multifunctional electronic materials with some of the leading scientists/ technologists as well as to be acquainted with their experience and knowledge. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://journalsofindia.com/multifunctional-electronic-materials-processing-memp-2021/ |
Description | Official Opening Event (Dec 2016) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Over 70 people attended the official opening of the Designer Oxides Lab, included Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, who gave a speech. Industry contacts were invited, with one attending and a request from another for a visit at a later date. Press release issued with coverage on TV and press (see separate entry). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38512615 |
Description | Press Release - Opening Event (Dec 2016) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A press release was issued for the official opening event on 8th December 2016. Dr Phil King was interviewed and this was broadcast on STV evening news. This was also covered in press in The Courier and The National. This coverage led to inquiries from BBC Scotland and The Scotsman newspaper. Dr Peter Wahl was interviewed by BBC Scotland Science Correspondent Kenneth Macdonald and this was broadcast on 5th January on Reporting Scotland (TV) on three bulletins and on a number of radio stations including Radio 2 and Good Morning Scotland. There was also coverage on BBC news online. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38512615 |
Description | STACEES Network Launch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | The launch of The St Andrews Network for Climate, Energy, Environment and Sustainability (STACEES) is an interdisciplinary research-focused initiative launched in April 2021 at The University of St Andrews. STACEES' objective is to drive cohesion and capacity in environmental sustainability research at St Andrews, boosting its impact and visibility. The network's vision is to build ambitious, lasting research capabilities that position the University at the centre of international conversations on climate change, energy research and environmental sustainability. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/sta-cees-network-launch-with-guest-speaker-prof-john-irvine/ |
Description | UKRI at COP26 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Our role in supporting a Year of Climate Action. The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) is underway. We are supporting activities and events that inspire and engage people and promote positive climate action. Whether you are at COP26 or not, register to access our events, exhibitor booths and engage with researchers and innovators. On these pages you will find out more about: the role research and innovation play in tackling climate change events that UK Research and Innovation is hosting and promoting for COP26, and how to sign up and attend how to join the climate conversation and share your work and ideas. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.ukri.org/our-work/responding-to-climate-change/ukri-towards-cop26/ |