Dual-Scale Polarimetry: Miniaturized and Terahertz-Range Polarization Control Using Advanced Materials

Polarimetry encompasses a set of optical methods and instrumentation that enable the study of light–matter interaction through polarization—a fundamental property of light. Its utility spans a wide range of applications, including astronomy, remote sensing, image processing, sustainability, botany, quantum technologies, and biomedicine. This proposal aims to explore polarization control under two innovative technological frameworks that […]

Spin-Orbit Torques in van der Waals Heterostructures

Spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in 2D material stacks offer a route to ultralow-power magnetic memory and logic[1]. We will design, build, and understand van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures that combine topological insulators (TI), transition-metal dichalcogenides, graphene, and 2D magnets (e.g., Fe3GeTe2) to generate and control SOTs. Taking advantage of atomically sharp interfaces, symmetry, and twist angle, […]

2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Thermal Management and Energy-Efficient Technologies

This project is a multidisciplinary initiative at the frontier of energy efficiency and information technology, focusing on thermal management and energy harvesting in low-dimensional materials. It addresses the growing demand for innovative solutions that overcome the limitations of conventional silicon-based devices, which face severe thermal bottlenecks in advanced architectures. The doctoral research will target thermal […]

Polarimetric Imaging for the Optical Characterization of Advanced Materials: Application to Organic Glasses and nanostructured materials

Organic semiconductor materials are attracting growing interest due to their advantages over conventional semiconductors such as silicon and germanium. Their lightweight, flexible nature, reduced toxicity, and low production costs make them promising for applications in organic electronics and optoelectronics. Both organic and inorganic nanostructured systems offer unique opportunities, as their electronic and optical properties can […]

Irradiation effects on High Temperature Superconducting films

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) films are key for future energy technologies, with outstanding relevance in compact fusion reactors, but their performance remains highly sensitive to irradiation-induced damage. This project will unravel how different irradiation environments—high-energy electrons, protons, alpha particles, gamma rays or neutrons—affect the structural, electronic, and superconducting properties of HTS films. Through collaborations with CIEMAT, […]

Exploiting random phenomena in magnetic materials for development of new generation computing strategies

Random phenomena are ubiquitous in magnetism, including the random orientation of magnetization in assemblies of isotropic magnets, arbitrary domain patterns in multilayers, vortex chirality, or Brownian skyrmion motion. While randomness is usually undesirable when seeking repeatable results, it also creates opportunities in stochastic computing, true random number generation, and unclonable functions for data security. As […]

Overdoping HTS films: the route to get closer to the maximum departing current

Overdoping high-temperature superconducting (HTS) films is probably the major critical challenge to boost performance to the extreme limits, as increasing the carrier density enhances the condensation energy directly increasing the vortex pinning force. This project will investigate strategies to achieve and control overdoping in REBa₂Cu₃O₇₋ₓ (REBCO) thin films, including Ca-doped compositions, to access higher doping […]

Magneto-ionics using novel mobile ions for bio-inspired memory and computing systems

Research in the rapidly growing field of magneto-ionics, which exploits voltage-driven ion migration and redox reactions to manipulate magnetic properties, will be pursued. This approach provides a compelling alternative to conventional methods that rely on magnetic fields or spin-polarized currents, offering a pathway toward ultra-low-power control of magnetism. Magneto-ionics holds great promise for addressing critical […]

Additive manufacturing of functional ceramics for solid state batteries

The rapid expansion of portable electronics, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is creating a strong demand for energy storage systems that are compact, versatile, and capable of operating under diverse conditions. Solid-state batteries represent a promising solution, as the use of inorganic electrolytes and electrodes enables higher energy density, long-term stability, and reliable […]

Ultrafast high temperature sintering of ceramic components for solid state batteries

Functional ceramics play a key role in energy storage technologies such as all-solid-state lithium and sodium batteries. Traditionally, their processing relies on long and energy-intensive high-temperature sintering steps (700.1200°C for 12–48 h), which limit efficiency and restrict materials design. Ultrafast high-temperature sintering (UHS) has recently emerged as a disruptive alternative, enabling ceramic consolidation within seconds […]