PLATFORM GRANT RENEWAL: Nanoscale Multifunctional Ferroic Materials and Devices
Lead Research Organisation:
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Sch of Industrial and Manufacturing Scie
Abstract
This Platform Grant renewal is about conducting research into new nanostructured materials and devices in which multi-functionality, particularly coupled with ferroic behaviour, provide the key themes. Thin film ferroelectric materials, which have been an essential part of the research under this Platform Grant for the past 3 years, provide an important set of basic properties, including: a ferroelectric polarisation that can be switched, piezoelectricity (the generation of charge under stress), pyroelectricity (the generation of charge due to temperature change) and several others. These properties are now widely used in electronic devices and ferroelectric thin films are starting to be exploited commercially. An intriguing area for further study is the way in which these basic properties can be coupled to those of other materials, especially ferromagnets and semiconductors, to achieve entirely new sets of properties that can potentially be used in device applications. Some of the possibilities have been touched-on in the existing Grant (magnetoelectricity, for example) and it is clear that there is great potential for further work. It is hoped that the research will produce new materials and structures in which, for example, the optical emission from semiconductor nanoparticles can be controlled by switching the polarisation of a closely-coupled ferroelectric material or the way in which biological particles such as viruses deposit on a surface can be controlled by switching the polarisation in an underlying ferroelectric layer. It is the researchers intention to also explore how these new concepts in multifunctional ferroic materials can be potentially engineered into useful device structures.
Organisations
Publications
Lusiola T
(2011)
Molten hydroxide synthesis as an alternative to molten salt synthesis for producing K0.5Na0.5NbO3 lead free ceramics
in Journal of Materials Science
Pickwell AJ
(2011)
Thick-film acoustic emission sensors for use in structurally integrated condition-monitoring applications.
in IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control
WANG W
(2011)
HIGHLY EFFICIENT SIZE REDUCTION OF NANOPARTICLES BY THE SHOCK WAVE METHOD
in Functional Materials Letters
Dorey R
(2012)
Printed Films
Pickwell A
(2013)
ZnO surface modified PZT for enhanced ceramic composite thick film sensors
in Advances in Applied Ceramics
Lal Kummari K
(2013)
Development of piezoelectric actuated mechanism for flapping wing micro-aerial vehicle applications
in Advances in Applied Ceramics
Pickwell AJ
(2013)
Development of a thick film PZT foil sensor for use in structural health monitoring applications.
in IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control
Dorey R
(2014)
Integrated Powder-Based Thick Films for Thermoelectric, Pyroelectric, and Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Devices
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Description | 1. The rheological properties of magnetic and electro-active nanoparticles. 2. An improved, more efficient, method for nanparticle size reduction using shock waves. 3. The establishment of enhanced DC coductivity, low volume fraction nanoparticle suspensions. 4. Accurate measurement of piezoelectric coefficients of thin films. 5. The identification of Giant Electrocaloric Effect in PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3 PZT thin films. 6. The impact of Zr/Ti ratio within PZT on the photo-reduction of silver nanoparticles. 7. The development of a the piezoelectric actuation of 'flapping wings' for micro-aeronautic applications. |
Exploitation Route | The improved methods for nanoparticlesize reduction and the control of fine particle movement by programmable shock waves could have application in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries. The 'flapping wing' actuation would be of interest to the micro-aeronautical industrial sector. Energy recovery, using thermo-electric thin film devices are of interest to the Aeronautical, Transport, Energy and Food sectors. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
Description | The research work this Platform Grant focuses on environmentally friendly materials and processing to provide personal energy solutions (energy harvesting) and environmental and structural health monitoring sensors; all of which were manufactured using nano- and micro-technology. Common to these themes is the study of the fabrication, manipulation and translocation of nanoscale materials (research of Professor Rob Dorey - now at Surrey University) permitting the design and application of smart technologies; allowing the design & production of prototype 2 & 3D functional micro-electromechanically systems (MEMS) incorporating functional materials. Examples of MEMS that have been developed include: high frequency (>30MHz) ultrasound transducers; piezoelectric energy harvesters and transformers; micro solid oxide fuel cells; gravimetric gas and chemical sensors; and acoustic emission sensors. Since Professor Dorey left Cranfield, Dr. Glenn Leighton has continued and expanded such industrial collaborations on micro-fabrication - Morpheus, aimed at delivering working prototype devices, is into its ninth year of device manufacture. Supported by Matthews International, this prototype nanoscale device manufacture is 'Internationally Leading' and surpasses that of highly rated US laboratories (including Penn State, Oregon State University and Berkley Labs). |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | Commission of the European Communities |
Amount | £296,825 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start |
Description | Commission of the European Communities |
Amount | £296,825 (GBP) |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start |
Description | Department of Trade and Industry London |
Amount | £389,268 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TP/4/MHP/6/I/22229 |
Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Department of Trade and Industry London |
Amount | £389,268 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TP/4/MHP/6/I/22229 |
Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £58,009 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F066015/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £424,342 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/D064783/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £496,797 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G069913/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £186,069 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E035043/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £170,372 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H020764/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £170,372 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H020764/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £186,069 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/E035043/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £116,167 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F037724/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £78,915 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G013934/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £78,915 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G013934/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £116,167 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F037724/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £58,009 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F066015/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £424,342 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/D064783/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £5,120,419 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I033246/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £496,797 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/G069913/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £278,963 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £34,018 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £278,963 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £72,225 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £149,171 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £72,225 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £34,018 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IMRC: Cranfield Innovative Manuf Res Cen |
Amount | £149,171 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Department | Cranfield Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IVHM Centre |
Amount | £99,631 (GBP) |
Organisation | Cranfield University |
Department | Integrated Vehicle Health Management Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | IVHM Centre |
Amount | £99,631 (GBP) |
Organisation | Cranfield University |
Department | Integrated Vehicle Health Management Centre |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Matthews International |
Amount | £88,415 (GBP) |
Organisation | Matthews International |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start |
Description | Matthews International |
Amount | £88,415 (GBP) |
Organisation | Matthews Resources |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start |
Description | NERC Grouped |
Amount | £507,117 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | NERC Grouped |
Amount | £99,325 (GBP) |
Funding ID | CASE studentship |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | National Physical Laboratory |
Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Royal Society of London |
Amount | £23,462 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Royal Society of London |
Amount | £23,462 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Thailand Government |
Amount | £64,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Thailand |
Sector | Public |
Country | Thailand |
Start |
Description | Thailand Government |
Amount | £64,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Thailand |
Sector | Public |
Country | Thailand |
Start |