Synthesis and Studies of Novel States of Matter at Extreme Conditions

Pressure causes extraordinary changes in the properties of matter by bringing the atoms closer and closer to each other. It can turn the
air we breath into a beautiful dark red crystal (oxygen), make a semiconducting polymer out of nitrogen or transform peanut butter into
diamond. Indeed, most matter exists under extreme conditions, so it is clear that we can fully understand the natural world only with
knowledge of the fundamental physical and chemical forces at play at high pressures. The field of modern high-pressure science is indeed
very wide, spanning from studying the origin of life to applications in food processing, and extending to the field of global warming research by,
for example, exploring increased solubility of greenhouse gas molecules in minerals under pressure. High pressures of 1,000,000 Atm and beyond
are generated by pressing a tiny sample between two diamonds which provide a perfect window into the unusual and interesting world.

My interest in high-pressure physics is primarily in studying very simple systems such as hydrogen, oxygen (familiar gases at normal
conditions) or alkali metals -- because, in the laboratory under very high compression, oxygen first red and then into shiny metal and sodium
becomes unexpectedly liquid at room temperature, and hydrogen is predicted to become metallic with very unusual properties such as
super-conducting super-fluidity.

The aim of this research is the synthesis and study of:
- novel exotic quantum states of liquid hydrogen and quantum liquids resulting from pressure-induced melting at low temperatures;
- high-pressure high-temperature hot liquids and their melting curves;
- super-conducting, super-hard and hydrogen rich materials in a wide range of temperatures.

In order to accomplish these goals, new challenging techniques will need to be developed and refined. To study cryogenic liquids, new
types of cryostats, designed to work with x-ray synchrotron and laser radiation, will be developed. To study and characterize liquids at
temperatures presently inaccessible and to synthesize novel recoverable materials, time-resolved laser heating and Raman spectroscopy
in the diamond anvil cell will need to be developed and constructed. These will be unique facilities.

Who will benefit from this research?

* The beneficiaries would include such partners as Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). Recently, the Institute for Shock Physics
was established based in the Imperial College London (ICL) with the funding provided in part by the AWE with the goal to keep
abreast with of the modern pure shock-wave physics using "large guns". Currently they fund a graduate student and a postdoctoral
research associate (PDRA) working with my group to study the melting curves of materials such as hydrogen and important to
national security science (such as tantalum, stainless steel etc). Through this collaboration, AWE staff will have immediate access
to results and all techniques developed. My proposed development of the time resolved spectroscopy and pulsed laser heating required
to characterize the samples are therefore applicable to the AWE mission.

* Furthermore, the material synthesis industries will largely benefit from this research. The search for the super-hard, superconducting
and hydrogen rich compounds at very high pressures proposed in this fellowship may serve to inspire efforts to synthesize materials
with similar novel properties under less extreme conditions. Indeed, high pressure experiments, give hints at what new interesting materials
can be expected to be created in principle. Many of the materials synthesized at high pressure can be obtained at normal pressure
through non-equilibrium techniques of materials chemistry.

* General public will also greatly benefit from the proposed research. Extreme conditions have always inspired public interest. I
already have experience in exploiting this interest in popularizing science, which includes a participation in the Royal Society
Summer Science Exhibition in 2007. My proposed programme will present new opportunities for engaging the public,
such as giving open night general talks, presenting my research at Cafe Scientific (Edinburgh) and organizing events at CSEC.

How will they benefit from this research?

* The application of the proposed research to each of the beneficiaries is described above. The AWE
will benefit from the immediate access to the scientific results and all techniques developed. There will be also a direct extreme
conditions knowledge transfer that will be used in diverse areas.

* The material synthesis industries will benefit from the novel materials synthesized and characterized during this fellowship in
the search for novel states of matter such as liquid metal ground state or the supersonducting and superhard materials.
The industries will be able to use the results of the experiments as the hints at what new interesting materials can be expected
to be created in principle.

* The general public will directly benefit from the new scientific results through the open night talks that I plan to engage with,
as they will deal for example with the understanding the kind of exo-planets that are now almost routinely found by astronomers.

What will be done during the course of the grant to ensure that they have the opportunity to benefit from this research?

* I will engage with our University exploitation team to protect and exploit intellectual property opportunities as they arise.

* I will engage with our business development managers (BDMs) in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics and also
take advantage of the large Knowledge Transfer (KT) team operated by the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA).

* I will attend the KT showcase organised annually by SUPA, attended by Scottish and UK SMEs and large industries.

* I will provide appropriate KT training opportunities to the personnel appointed to this proposal, so that any exploitable
outcomes are recognised and developed.

* I will disseminate our findings directly to our existing collaborators at the AWE and engage
with new partners in the material synthesis industry as required.