Institute for Materials Research

Electronic Materials and Sensor Research

Ferroelectric Materials

Theory
Both ab initio techniques (CASTEP) and Landau-Devonshire approaches are employed to investigate problems in ferroelectric materials. Thermodynamic studies of barium titanate single crystals have shed new light on the behaviour of piezoelectric single crystals when driven "off-axis", whilst ab initio approaches are being employed to investigate bonding patterns in perovskites and local structures in solid solutions.

Piezoelectrics
Research into single crystal piezoelectrics is focusing on the characterization of commercially grown crystals of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3, whilst new materials with higher Curie temperatures are also under investigation, both as single crystals and ceramics. Collaboration with the School of Mechanical Engineering is leading to new piezoelectric devices for automotive applications.

Thin Films
Research into alternative chemistries for the sol-gel deposition of PZT thin films has yielded routes that are capabable of depositing films of greater than 1 micron in thickness in a single deposition step. Research into new materials for tuneable microwave filters is being pursued in collaboration with Institute for Microwaves and Photonics. Both thin and thick films are being investigated for device use.

Sensors

Solid state sensors for high temperature metallurgical processes are being developed on the basis of cation and anion conducting solid electrolytes. Materials for solid electrolytes and electrodes are synthesised and shaped in the laboratory from inorganic powders. Bi3+ and Ag+ ion conducting electrolytes are being applied for the development of sensors for molten (non-ferrous) metals such as lead, tin and zinc. Novel thick film and thin film sensors for measuring SOx, NOx and methane are being developed and tested in the laboratory under controlled gaseous atmosphere.

Interconnection Technology

As core members of the EPPIC Faraday Partnership, concerning electronic and photonic we are currently pursuing research in to the novel application of low temperature co-fire ceramic (LTCC) technology for photonic interconnections.