Magnetic correlations in artificial spin systems In physics, frustration refers to a situation in which not all interactions can be satisfied simultaneously. Frustrated magnetism often occurs in spin systems with competing interactions and leads to a multitude of interesting phenomena…
Dear all, On Wednesday, the 15th of November, you are invited to the SAM Poker Night, which will take place at the Materials Science “secret” pub. The event kick-off is at 18.30 with these rules: 3 or 4 poker tables…
Synthesis and characterization of materials: An example While most polymers belong to the class of organic compounds, a minor fraction of polymers is attributed to inorganic compounds. These include polymers comprising a backbone without carbon atoms and coordination polymers. Such…
Nanoscale mass transport across two-dimensional materials Two-dimensional (2D) nanoconstrictions enable ballistic permeation of molecules, yielding orders of magnitude higher permeances compared to conventional membranes. Recent advances in synthesis and handling of 2D materials have enabled the study of such constrictions…
Preparation and applications of dendronized polymer-enzyme conjugates Enzymes are catalytically active globular proteins, which promote chemical reactions in all living systems and which are used in many industrial processes (e.g. for softening fabrics) in household products (e.g. as additives in…
Opportunities and challenges in TEM dynamic studies of metals Since its invention in 1931, the transmission electron microscope has allowed a direct view into matter with an unprecedented spatial resolution, progressing over the decades towards the atomic scale, and nowadays,…
For pictures from the retreat, visit: Dear PhD and Post-Doc students of the D-MATL,We would like to invite you to the first D-MATL PhD-Post-Doc retreat! This event aims at improving the team spirit in our department and will take…
Nanoscale control of polarization in ultrathin ferroelectric heterostructures The success of oxide electronics depends on the ability to design functional properties such as ferroelectricity with atomic accuracy. Using laser optics, we enabled for the first time the access to the…
Making model soft composites It is rather difficult to make materials with a very precisely defined microstructure. However, some animals have developed incredibly precise techniques for doing exactly that. The resulting materials can have highly desirable properties, such as toughness…
Colloidal microswimmers Active colloids are self-propelled micro- and nanoparticles that convert uniform sources of fuel into directed motion. They hold tremendous promise as model systems of living microorganism or as drug delivery vehicles. I will show some complex phenomena in…