Through wear and friction, tribological contacts account for roughly a quarter of global energy consumption [1]. Contact electrification (CE) is a particularly important contributor to these losses [2], causing intense electrostatic forces through a mechanism that is still largely unknown [3]. To minimize energy losses and wear [2], mitigate risks [4], and even recuperate energy […]
Hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, thereby supporting global climate goals. Molecular hydrogen can be produced through water electrolysis (or water splitting), and it is considered a clean fuel when generated using renewable electricity via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Freshwater is scarce globally, but seawater makes up ~97% of […]
The project merges the knowhow of two experimental groups of the Physics department, the thermal properties of nanoscale materials group (GTNaM) and the Optics group. The research combines expertise in thermal transport and thermoelectricity in low-dimensional solids together with polarimetry and optics instrumentation. The PhD candidate will investigate light–matter interactions in these systems, aiming to […]
In this multidisciplinary project we will study the phenomenon of chiral symmetry breaking with quantum simulators and quantum-inspired algorithms like tensor-network variational ansätse.Chiral-symmetry breaking [1], the dynamical creation of a mass term for fermions, is at the hearth of strongly coupled gauge theories like quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and it is believed to arise from color […]
Electric-field-driven ion motion is a rapidly evolving and powerful, energy-efficient approach to control magnetism, with broad implications in spintronics, nanomagnetism and related technological fields, including brain-inspired computing. Despite extensive research, most existing studies rely on either liquid electrolytes or solid-state configurations with rigid supports. The Thesis Project aims at exploiting flexible magneto-ionic systems based on […]
Condensed matter physics is entering an era of unprecedented control over the design and synthesis of quantum materials. Engineered materials such, twistronics devices and atomically thin 2D materials have emergent properties that may enable breakthrough applications from tackling climate change to the quantum technology revolution. However, emerging properties are difficult to predict, making it challenging […]
Applying magnetic fields (MFs) to bioreactors is an emerging technology that seems to have promising opportunities, especially for wastewater treatment. Recent reports show that MFs could enhance the performance of biological treatment processes for various pollutants, including organic matter, nitrogen, and toxic compounds like antibiotics and dyes. This enhancement is often achieved using low-intensity static […]
The integration of electrochemical and microbial processes offers significant opportunities for CO2 valorisation by leveraging the advantages of both domains. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction) excels at using renewable electricity to generate simple intermediates (formic acid or acetate). Conversely, microorganisms can act as highly selective biocatalysts to synthesize a wide range of more complex high-value products […]
Flat-bands in 2D material heterostructures comprise a novel tunable platform to investigate many-body physics. These heterostructures host a wealth of correlated and unconventional superconducting phases. Understanding the emergence of these phases and how to manipulate them are amongst the most exciting research challenges in modern solid-state physics. In this project, we will investigate correlated phases […]
Neutrino physics has gained significant relevance due to the numerous important measurements currently being carried out and that will be performed in the coming years. In particular, the study of neutrino oscillations [1,2] and the determination of important neutrino properties are fundamental goals of the T2K and Hyper-Kamiokande experiments. Neutrino oscillations are purely quantum phenomena […]