Postgraduate research study
School of Physics and Astronomy

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PhD project: Designing the next generation of smart devices using quantum materials and energy-efficient computing

Project description

Domain wall observed in CrI3 using multi scale spin dynamics. See Wahab et al. Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, 2004138. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202004138
Domain wall observed in monolayer CrI3 using multi scale spin dynamics. See Wahab et al. Adv. Mater. 2021, 33, 2004138. Link.

Background: Quantum materials such as Weyl metals, Kagome crystals, graphene have emerged as a new class of compounds with remarkable chemical and physical properties because of their unusual electronic structure. These thin, lightweight, bendable, highly rugged materials could bring dramatic changes to information processing and communications, with applications in conformal displays, wearable computers (e.g. Apple watch), and smart environments in terms human-electronic integration (e.g. touchscreens). 

Among several quantum compounds, the realisation of long-range magnetic order in layered materials has been elusive till very recently. Long searched but only now discovered novel quantum magnets are one of a select group of materials that retain or impart strongly spin correlated properties at the limit of few atoms thick. Such crystals are in high demand in several technological applications from sensing to data storage (e.g., memories), which can lead to a revolution on information communication technologies. In fact, with the advent of 5G networks, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is an exponential growth in the amount of data generated worldwide. It is estimated that by 2025, the world population will produce more than 175 Zettabytes (1 Zettabyte=109 Terabytes), which has led to escalating demand for electricity usage within data centres (iCloud, Google Cloud), consumer devices (mobile phones, tablets), wireless and wired networks. Indeed, information technology is predicted to consume 21% of the world’s electricity supply by 2030. There is hence a pressing economic and societal need to find more energy efficient solutions. 

Goals and objectives: In this project you will learn the fundamentals of the next generation of compounds for integration in information platforms (e.g. hard-drives, smart phones, Tablets, etc.) with a focus on novel quantum storage technologies. It will cover the first developments, achievements, the challenges ahead, and what needs to be done to achieve them. You will master several concepts on the physics of magnetic materials, their importance for technology, and possible solutions to open-problems in the real-world such as clean-energy, environment friendly devices and reduction of carbon-footprint. You will work closely with other students, postdocs and research fellows involved in similar investigations.   

Computational skills: You develop several computational skills in terms of first-principles methods (e.g. strongly correlated systems), Monte Carlo, Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation techniques, and data-driven approaches (e.g. high-throughput, AI, machine-learning). Both method development and utilisation of in-house codes will be undertaken during the project. Access to computational world-class facilities via ARCHER2, Cirrus UK National HPC Service at EPCC (http://www.cirrus.ac.uk) funded by the University of Edinburgh and EPSRC will be available. Previous experience on coding languages (e.g., Python, C, C++) and numeric computing environments (e.g., Matlab, Mathematica) would be a plus. 

Willingness to experience computational and numerical aspects of the project is highly desired. 

International collaborations and internships: The project will be developed in collaboration with several top-profile groups either locally or abroad. Such as at Edinburgh's School of Physics and Astronomy/School of Chemistry, the National University of Singapore, Argonne National Lab (ANL) and Northwestern University (NU). Moreover, the successful candidate will participate in the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) Hub with regular meetings and visits occurring throughout the project. The PhD student will also have access to internships of up 10 weeks at CQE to gain further expertise across different disciplines working at ANL and/or NU in Chicago, US. 

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