Objective This proposal has 2 objectives: to carry out a successful scientific project, and to develop and broaden the scientific and transferable skills of the researcher, as a first step in establishing them as an independent researcher. Scientific goal: to make novel composite ceramics with magnetoelectric (ME) / multiferroic (MF) coupling. ME materials provide coupled magnetic and electronic properties. MF materials have direct coupling between their ferroic properties. This can be via a direct (applied field) or indirect (applied voltage/strain) stimulus. ME and MF properties often overlap, but not all ME materials are necessarily MF. There has been an explosion of interest in such materials in recent years, as they have a multitude of potential applications. Most research has looked at single phase MF materials – which unfortunately are inherently very difficult to produce. This project counteracts this problem by investigating ME / MF coupling in two-phase composite ceramic materials, consisting of magnetic and dielectric components. Key scientific objectives: 1 Manufacture of ME / MF composites from hexaferrite and dielectric / ferroelectric / piezoelectric materials 2 Their physical and structural characterisation 3 Their magnetic and (di)electrical characterisation over a range of frequencies and temperatures 4 Their characterisation using Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) and Piezo Force Microscopy (PFM) 5 The demonstration of ME/MF coupling in such materials Training goals: These will add to the researcher’s skill and knowledge base, and help establish them as an independent researcher: Gain deeper knowledge of ME/MF materials Gain experience of SPM techniques Gain expertise in TEM Training in ME / MF coupling measurements Establish the researcher in the ME/MF community Benefit from mentoring and guidance on grant writing Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcompositesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyengineering and technologymaterials engineeringceramics Keywords Ceramics Composites Electronic MFM Magnetoelectric coupling Materials Engineering Multiferroic PFM Scanning probe microscopy magnetic and superconductive properties Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO Address Campus universitário de santiago 3810-193 Aveiro Portugal See on map Region Continente Centro (PT) Região de Aveiro Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Fernando Batista (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 202 982,89
