Professor Marshall Stoneham F R S Centre for Materials Research Department of Physics and Astronomy University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT Tel: +44 (0) 171 391 1377 Fax: +44 (0) 171 391 1360 Email:a.stoneham@ucl.ac.uk CENTRE for MATERIALS RESEARCH

Warning: Under construction.

The Centre involves eight departments within the College, as well as the Royal Institution of Great Britain. It provides a focus for the wide-ranging materials science and engineering at UCL, linking departments and disciplines, and including both physical and biological sciences. Among its main themes are simulation and modelling, surfaces and interfaces, thin films, and disordered systems like glasses, liquids and colloids. Departmental activities include these:

Major themes are modelling and diffraction methods. Modelling covers length scales from atomistic to macroscopic, via the mesoscopic scale critical in many applications like friction and wear. The emphasis is on processes as well as structures. An aim is to cover whole process modelling; much of the work has industry links. Studies include embedding techniques for defects and impurities, nanoclusters; materials modification by excitation; novel applications of scanning probe microscopy; simulations of heterointerfaces, industrial thermal barrier coatings and diamond films; aerosol physics, e.g. nucleation of droplets from vapours. Reverse Monte Carlo modelling of aqueous solutions, amorphous and colloidal systems, ice. Polarised gamma-ray techniques in magnetism; ultrafine hard and soft magnetic particles.

Modelling and inspection are major themes. Examples are the computational design of composite joints; simulation of blow moulding; Non-destructive testing covers electromagnetic and ultrasonic methods, pulsed acoustic microscopy and fracture mechanics. There is work on corrosion, erosion and mechanical properties.

Solid state gas sensors have been developed and exploited with success; surface chemistry and catalysis are major themes. Other areas include: transition metals in the solid state; low dimensional materials; organic conductors; insulated molecular wires; novel organic materials; CVD of metal and nitride films; synthesis of nanoparticulate materials, energy efficient synthesis of ceramics, metals and intermetallics.

Studies of new film materials for optoelectronic, superconductor, ferroelectric and magnetic applications. Novel deposition and fabrication processes, including CVD, MBE, laser and ion-beam processing, and laser ablation by pulsed UV lasers. These can be applied to many materials: diamond films, glasses, metals, simple and multilayered structures. Many methods are available for characterisation and modelling.

Research mostly involves processing and handling of particles. This includes ceramic particle production in a fluidised bed reactor, crystal habit modification, catalyst development, and characterisation, crystal breakage, image analysis techniques and the biochemical synthesis of CdS semiconducting crystallites.

Research into the stability, structure and properties of minerals and related materials. High pressure/temperature studies. Rock and ice deformation and fracture. Permeability studies.

Studies of the structure and function of skeletal and dental materials, and the interface between bone and prosthetics, including ceramics, glasses, polymers and composites.

Central concerns are the long-term deterioration of metals and ceramics, aimed at conservation as well as interpreting ancient artifacts. Non destructive testing is of interest.

Properties of concretes and grouts; structural stress analysis and soil mechanics.

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