Molecular Spintronics using Isolated Rare Earth Magnets

Project Information

SpinReMag

Grant agreement ID: 707252

DOI

10.3030/707252

Project closed

EC signature date 10 March 2016

Start date 1 March 2017

End date 28 February 2019

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 183 454,80

EU contribution

€ 183 454,80

Coordinated by

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SpinReMag (Molecular Spintronics using Isolated Rare Earth Magnets)

Reporting period: 2017-03-01 to 2019-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The main objective of this fellowship was to build a greater understanding of how individual molecules can be used in electronics devices. Individual molecules represent a significant size decrease from the components in electronic devices today and using molecules could potentially lead to more compact or more energy efficient electronic devices in the future. In order to achieve this, we need to be able to control every aspect of a molecule and its environment. This fellowship enabled the exploration of promising types of molecule that could potentially be used in constructing the next generation of electrical devices.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The first objective of this fellowship was to create a series of new molecules that could be used in molecular electronics devices. Over 40 new molecules were created and their physical properties studied. Work conducted during this fellowship also lead to the discovery of molecular spin valves (a type of electronic device) constructed solely from an individual molecule. These results were published in an open access journal: DOI:10.1039/C8SC03762K. Dissemination of results took place through several different media. I presented two invited lectures at international conferences; The International Conference of Molecular Magnetism (Rio de Janeiro Brazil, 2018) and the European Conference of Molecular Magnetism (Bucharest Romania, 2017). I presented an invited workshop lecture at SpinOn (Lisbon Portugal 2018), and an invited seminar for the Materials Department at the University of Oxford (Oxford UK, 2017). Dissemination was also achieved using online media including my Twitter account (@DrJJLeRoy).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

This fellowship provided me, for the first time, the opportunity to direct my own science. Executing this highly interdisciplinary project enabled me to further our understanding of how molecules may be used to make better electronic devices. During the fellowship I made it a priority to pass my knowledge on to younger scientists who will someday be the leaders in this field of research. In addition to the conference presentations mentioned above I participated in a science round table event at Corpus Christi College Oxford as an expert panelist discussing the future of Material Science. I also gave an invited seminar at a Woman in Science Event in the Materials Department in Oxford University. I believe it is important to engage with the public and help normal people understand how scientists and the research that they undertake are able to help and further society. With this in mind I also supported events aimed at engaging the general public, in particular children. I participated in the European Researchers’ Night Curiosity Carnival in Oxford and was a volunteer judge in a high school science fair. I also participated in creating a YouTube amination which explained molecular electronics to the public (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF13tGIrzA8).

One of the molecules created