Past projects

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Principal Investigator

Nanomag

Project Nanomag was the key project carried out by the group between 2001 and 2007, and laid the foundation for the existing SFI Principal Investigator project. This project started in October 2001 and was at the junction of nanotechnology, surface science and magnetism. Its aim was to study the fundamental properties of magnetic oxides, some of which (e.g. magnetite) are highly promising candidates for applications in spin electronics. The surfaces of these materials are quite complex making the project challenging. The focus was on studies of surfaces and interfaces of magnetic oxides. One of the first tasks of the project was the development of technology for epitaxial growth of films and multilayers of magnetic oxides and also thin film oxide tunnel barriers. The second point was studies of magnetic, structural and spin transport properties of these oxides and their interfaces. The end result of the project was a demonstration that heterostructures of certain magnetic oxides can be used for spin electronics technologies.

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Frontiers Programme:

Study of the exchange interaction between self-assembled magnetic nanoclusters deposited on template substrates covered with a semiconductor overlayer - model dilute magnetic semiconductor system

The project proposes to model a dilute magnetic semiconductor system by depositing a semiconductor overlayer on top of a well ordered regular array of magnetic nano-clusters formed on the surface of template substrates by self-assembly. The overlayer will provide the medium through which the exchange interaction can propagate. It is proposed to investigate the effect the overlayer has on the physical and magnetic properties of the system and in particular the exchange interaction between the nano-clusters. Thus, we hope to answer some of the more fundamental, but as yet unanswered, questions regarding the physics of dilute magnetic semiconductors.

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) CSET:

Interfacial Strain on Spin-transport in Magnetic Nanowires

Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept

Tungsten and Molybdenum Oxide Solar Cells

We aimed to test the concept of a photovoltaic device utilising p-n junctions of semi-conducting transparent tungsten and molybdenum oxide films formed on float glass by means of spray pyrolysis. Our approach was radically different to conventional silicon cells or Gretzel cell utilising liquid dyes. The ultimate goal was the development of low-cost solar cells, for the global market, that could be incorporated into energy friendly buildings of the future. Our goal for the project was to demonstrate p- and n-type metal oxide semiconductors and their junctions formed on glass. Then, the avenue for a larger scale industrial project will be opened.

As is often the case with applied projects, it was discovered that our proposed materials were not as suitable for purpose as initially thought. Therefore, during the course of the project we investigated many advanced materials for use in the solar cell industry. We finally focused on the topics of advanced materials for solar cell coatings, absorbers. This work in on-going in our Cleaner Energy Lab.

Environmental Protection Agency STRIVE Programme

Tungsten Oxide Based Environmental Gas Sensors

The project investigated hte feasibility of using tungsten oxide nanowires for the detection of environmentally harmful gases and chemicals. It was based on self-assembled tungsten oxide nanowires, which are ideally suited to enhance gas sensitivity due to their high surface to volume ratio. We investigated the gas sensing dependences of the tungsten oxide nanowires on their physical structure to determine the optimum configuration. We also investigated the affect doping the nanowires had on their sensing capabilities. The project was successful and advanced the state-of-the-art for tungsten oxide based environmental gas sensors.

European Framework Programme 6

ASPRINT

This project was dedicated to the development of special probes for scanning probe microscopy. Specifically, the focus was on the development of nano-magnetic probing and smart nanoprobes offering chemical sensitivity. There were twelve partners associated with the project, with our focus being on the development of magnetic probes. The partners were: