Project description
Switching van der Waals polytypes via atomic-scale sliding steps
The ERC-funded SlideTronics project investigates an extraordinary sliding response in van der Waals polytypes, enabling rapid and efficient switching of crystalline symmetries and electronic properties. Initial studies on graphitic polytypes revealed novel internal polarisations, spurring further research into their links with superconductivity and orbital magnetisation. The challenge now is to disrupt their commensurate meta-stable stacking and induce controlled sliding at specific interfaces. Building on its ability to construct and differentiate adjacent polytypes, SlideTronics aims to develop techniques for successfully switching between distinct polytypes and their associated properties.
Objective
While the artificial design of pristine crystalline structures and the construction of dedicated periodic playgrounds for atoms and electrons in a solid have transformed our world, much is yet to be explored. I posit that the marvels of van der Waals polytypes should go much beyond and suggest that they offer a remarkable opportunity to rapidly, efficiently, and distinctively swap between numerous different crystals, symmetries, and dispersions at will.
We have recently reported several new crystals made from identical 2D layers that differ only by their stacking symmetry. These perfectly commensurate and periodic di-atomic polytypes result in distinct electric potential steps and exclusive ladder-like polarizations owing to their various combinations of broken inversion and mirror symmetries. Our current research focus is mono-atomic polytypes that break both symmetries and offer further fundamental insight into the purely geometric impact of the atomic positions in the unit cell. Our preliminary experiments on graphitic polytypes detect novel internal polarizations, placing us in a great position to explore its interplay with superconductivity and orbital magnetization.
The key challenge is to break the polytypes out of their commensurate meta-stable stacking and force the layers to slide at particular interfaces, only along armchair lattice orientation and for discrete inter-atomic distances.
We have recently observed that such switching is possible using external electric fields, but only in the case of polar di-atomic bilayers. The swapping involves a thin incommensurate boundary wall encompassing a single stacking fault, which may slide rapidly in a super-lubric manner.
Building on our ability to construct and distinguish adjacent polytypes, we aim to develop methods to efficiently switch between many distinctive polytypes and properties. With robust nano-meter and nano-second swapping capabilities, we envision ground-breaking SlideTronic technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-COG
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69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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