Complexity in Materials - Discovery and Properties

The main objectives of this Ph.D. project are to develop an understanding of structural disorder in a variety of materials by refinement of neutron and X-ray scattering data such as from diffraction and diffuse scattering. Such structural complexity can play a definitive role in how a material behaves and insight into its details may be critical to our ability to optimise desired physical properties, for instance by control of disorder and nanostructure. Materials of interest include magnets, such as those which feature quantum frustration, and battery materials. Synthesis will adapt according to the material under study and is likely to involve hydrothermal techniques as well as other solid state preparative routes.

This research crosses several research areas including Condensed Matter : Magnetism and Magnetic Materials and Condensed Matter : Electronic Structure.

Research will involve synthesis, neutron and X-ray scattering, data analysis, and computational calculations.