Quantum Systems and Nanomaterials
Renewable Energy - Feasibility studies and technology assessments to help local authorities and business make informed choices about their renewable energy strategies
Sustainable and efficient buildings - Consultants in sustainable building design including daylight simulation, acoustics, energy certification and thermal modelling
Sustainable Transport - Evaluation of transport technologies, fleet management, localised emissions modelling, air quality management and carbon accounting
RKT partnerships - Industry partnerships and bespoke research involving expertise from the Centre and access to resources and skills from the wider university
Energy and Climate Change Policy - Informing government policy and supporting local authorities and businesses in meeting their carbon reduction commitments.
Sustainable Transport - Evaluation of transport technologies, fleet management, localised emissions modelling, air quality management and carbon accounting
The study of Quantum Systems and Nanomaterials explores the quantum properties of matter, with an emphasis on nanomaterials. We investigate both experimentally and theoretically the properties of electrons, phonons and photons in nanomaterials (graphene and carbon nanotubes), and in nanostructures (quantum wells, wires, and dots). We also study the extraordinary properties of anisotropic phonon systems in liquid 4He.
We investigate the properties of electrons, phonons and photons in nanomaterials and nanostructures. Physics has been revolutionised by our ability to engineer tiny structures which exhibit exciting new physical effects such as quantum tunnelling and the occurrence of novel phases of matter. They are also to be found in some of the latest optoelectronic devices.
We are able to create nanostructured materials using our own focused ion beam and electron beam facilities, and are using optical, transport and thermodynamic techniques to study these structures at temperatures only 0.01 degrees above absolute zero and in magnetic fields as high as 17 Tesla.
Our researchers were the first in the world to show that evaporation of atoms from the liquid surface is caused by the annihilation at the surface of a quantum of vibrational energy in the liquid – an analogue of the photoelectric effect. It turns out that wetting of surfaces can best be studied using helium and alkali metals. This is leading to the creation of two-dimensional superfluid films with amazing properties.
