Putting the Squeeze on Molecule-Based Magnets

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How the physical properties of any material change as their structures change is a fundamentally important question to answer in science. If this relationship can be understood, it can then be exploited to tune properties in a specific manner, making the material useful in a range of important commercial applications. In chemistry one very important relationship is that between structure and magnetism. Magnetic materials find use in information storage in computer hard-drives and mobile electronic devices, in hospitals in MRI scanners and in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, in the security industry where they are employed in airport scanners, and in outer-space research where they are used in the cooling of analytical instrumentation. Before any magnetic material can be taken to the industrial marketplace the fundamental relationship between molecular structure and magnetic behaviour must be examined and understood. The best way of doing this is to apply pressure to the material and monitor its magnetic response. In this program of research we will continue to examine our core chemistry projects focusing on a variety of important magnetic materials under pressure, employing a breadth of complimentary characterisation techniques. We will also expand our research to examine high risk, high reward feasibility studies on more exotic, hitherto unexplored materials. For example, the application of extreme conditions to magnetic nanoparticles and the host-guest chemistry of micro- and mesoporous magnets. We will hire the best new researchers as they become available in order to explore ambitious and speculative new projects, employing PDRAs with expertise/skills in areas not currently covered by the team - for example the addition of theoretical expertise to cover a wide range of calculations. The PDRAs will be given licence to explore their own ideas within the theme of the award. Reactive projects will permit rapid response to exciting and unexpected new discoveries from our own research or from international groups, and exploratory projects will allow potentially ground-breaking research ideas with a high degree of technical risk. The platform grant will ensure a high profile for UK extreme conditions research and for CSEC, maintaining its position at the forefront of high pressure science. International collaborations will be strengthened by involving the whole Platform team, and will facilitate new links to other internationally-leading groups. Inviting research lecturers and exchanging research staff with such groups will be a further benefit. The Platform award will also augment the cross-disciplinary nature of the training that we can provide to our PDRAs. Working together in a common group will provide a stimulating atmosphere to generate new ideas and world-leading discoveries in extreme conditions research.