Current Research Grants

Current research grants held in the Materials and Condensed Matter Physics group are listed below.

The Space Nanomaterials Atom Probe (SNAP): Atom by atom resolution of Material and Space Science Challenges

Principal Investigator: Luke Daly

Co-Investigators: Alexey Ganin, Donald MacLaren, Ian MacLaren, Joshua Einsle, Martin Lee, Darren Mark, & Paul Bagot (University of Oxford)

Funding source: EPSRC (UKRI872) 

Award: £5,305,551.36 

Funded Period: Apr 2025 – Mar 2028

Engineering Exotic Electronic States in the First Oxide Kagome Quantum Spin Liquid

Principal Investigator: David Boldrin

Funding Source: EPSRC – UKRI116 
Award: £498,068
Funding period: Apr 24 - Apr 27

MagTEM2 - the next generation microscope for imaging functional materials

Principal Investigator: Stephen McVitie
Co-Investigators: Trevor Almeida, David Boldrin, Kayla Fallon, Donald MacLarenIan Maclaren

Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/Z531078/1
Award: £4,900,000
Funding period: Mar 24 - Mar 29

Multi-modal electron microscopy of 3D racetrack memory

Principal Investigator: Trevor Almeida
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/X025632/1
Award: £397,137
Funding period: Jan 24 - Jun 26

UK-GRAFT: The UK graphene research and fabrication technology foundry

MCMP Co-Investigator: Donald MacLaren

Funding Source: Innovate UK - project 10112039 

Collaborators: Paragraf, Uni of Birmingham, Cupio Services Ltd., UK Electronics Skills Foundation, 

Award: £996, 961 

Funding period: Jun 24 – May 25

SuperSTEM: National Research Facility for Advanced Electron Microscopy

Principal Investigator: Quentin Ramasse

MCMP Co-Investigator: Donald Maclaren
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/W021080/1
Award: £4,023,848
Funding period: Mar 22 - Mar 27

Knowledge transfer partnership between University of Glasgow and Vector Photonics Limited

MCMP Lead: Donald MacLaren
Collaborator: Vector Photonics Ltd. 

Funding source: Innovate UK project KTP no. 13048

Award: £183476

Funding period: Nov 21 - Oct 23 

Fast pixelated detectors

Principal Investigator: Stephen McVitie
Co-Investigators: Donald MacLaren, Trevor Almeida, Kayla Fallon, Fred Rendell-BhattiDima Maneuski and Richard Bates

Collaborators: Quantum Detectors and Jeol UK Ltd

Funding Source: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account - EP/X5257161/1

Award: £52,450 

Funding period: Feb 24 - Jun 25

Barocaloric materials for zero-carbon heat pumps

Principal Investigator: Xavier Moya (Cambridge University)

MCMP Co-Investigators: David BoldrinDonald MacLaren
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/V042262/1
Award: £1,392,100
Funding period: Jan 22 - Sept 25

Investigations in Gravitational Radiation

Principal Investigator: Sheila Rowan

MCMP Co-Investigator: Ian Maclaren
Funding Source: STFC - ST/V005634/1
Award: £5,974,821
Funding period: Sept 21 - Sept 25

Recently Completed Grants

Some recently-completed grants are also listed below.

Thermochemical remanent magnetisations: How do they affect ancient magnetic field intensities from the Earth and Solar System?

Principal Investigator: Adrian Muxworthy
MCMP Co-Investigator: Trevor Almeida

Funding Source: NERC - EP/T006811/1
Award: £656,752
Funding period: Apr 21 - Apr 25

Synthetic Antiferromagnetic Skyrmions

Principal Investigator: Stephen McVitie
MCMP Co-Investigator: Trevor Almeida

Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/T006811/1
Award: £733,741
Funding period: Feb 20 - Sept 24

A Focused Ion Beam Microscopy Facility for Advanced Materials Analysis

Principal Investigator: Ian Maclaren

MCMP Co-Investigators: Donald MacLarenStephen McVitie
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/P001483/1
Award: £1,081,830
Funded Period: Jun 16 - Sept 17

Advanced magnetic media for next generation THz multifunctional devices

Principal Investigator: Dr. Rair Macedo
Funding Source: The Leverhulme Trust (300947-01) and The University of Glasgow (LKAS - 200584-01)
Award: £189,881
Start date 01/03/18 End date 28/02/2021

 

Microscopy with neutral helium atoms: A wide-ranging new technique for delicate samples

Principal Investigator: Dr. D. MacLaren
Co-Investigators:N/A
Collaborators: Dr. AP Jardine, Dr J Ellis, Dr B Roman, Dr A Hansen (University of Cambridge)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/R008051/1
Award: £168,887
Start date 1/11/17 End date 31/10/20

Abstract

Consortium for advanced materials based on spin chirality

Principal Investigator: Prof. R. Stamps
Co-Investigators: Dr. D. MacLaren, Dr. S. McVitie, Dr. M Kadodwala (Chemistry)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/M024423/1
Award: £756,507
Start date 1/04/15 End date 31/03/20

Abstract

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Photonic Integration and Advanced Data Storage

Principal Investigator: Prof. R. Bowman (Queen's University Belfast)
Co-Investigators: JH Marsh (University of Glasgow Engineering)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/L015323/1
Award: £3m
Start date 1/04/14 End date 31/09/22

Abstract

A LEAP 5000 XS for the UK National Atom Probe Facility

Principal Investigator: Prof. MP Moody (Univ. of Oxford)
Co-Investigators: Prof. RA. Oliver (Univ of Cambridge), Dr. S. Piazolo (Univ. of Leeds), Prof. TB Scott (Univ. of Bristol), Dr. PAJ Bagot (Univ. of Oxford), Prof. M Preuss (Univ. of Manchester), Prof. WM Rainforth (Univ. of Sheffield), Prof. C Grovenor (Univ. of Oxford), Dr. DA. MacLaren (Univ. of Glasgow), Prof. D Dye (Imperial College London)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/S021663/1
Award: £2,914,083
Start date 01/01/19 End date 31/12/20

Abstract

Next^2 TEM Detection - Investigation of Hybrid Pixel Detectors for future Transmission Electron Microscopy imaging

Glasgow Investigators: Dr D McGrouther
Funding Source: STFC Case Industrial Studentship, Award ST/P002471/1
Glasgow Award: £99,876
Start date 1/10/17 End date 30/09/21

Visualised Exchange Coupling in Core-Shell Nanostructures

Principal Investigator: Dr. Trevor P. Almeida
Funding Source: Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
Award: £9744
Start date 01/07/18 End date 01/06/19

Abstract

Visualised Magnetic Exchange in Science and Nature

Principal Investigator: Dr. Trevor P. Almeida
Funding Source: Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Fellowship (Glasgow University Central Funding - ref: 015287)
Award: £151,569
Start date 01/09/17 End date 31/08/20

Abstract

MAGicSKY: Magnetic Skyrmions for Future Nanospintronic Devices

Principal Investigator: Prof. R. Stamps
Co-Investigators: Dr. S. McVitie
Funding Source: European Commission (Project 665095)
Award: €574 243,75
Start date 1/09/15 End date 1/09/18

Abstract

Nanostructured half-Heuslers for thermoelectric waste heat recovery

Principal Investigator: Dr. D. MacLaren
Co-Investigators:N/A
Collaborators: Dr. Jan-Willem Bos (Heriot-Watt University); Prof. Keith. Refson (Royal Holloway University)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/M019020/1
Award: £393,198
Start date 1/01/16 End date 31/12/18

Abstract

Current-driven domain wall motion and magnetomemristance in FeRh-based nanostructures

Principal Investigator: Dr. S. McVitie
Co-Investigators: Dr. D. McGrouther
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/M019020/1
Award: £635,158
Start date 1/04/15 End date 30/09/18

Abstract

Analysis of Polar Structure in High Temperature Relaxor Dielectrics: Framework for Materials Discovery

Principal Investigator: Dr. I. MacLaren
Co-Investigators:N/A
Collaborators: Dr. SJ Milne (University of Leeds); Dr. CL Freeman (University of Sheffield)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/P013945/1, linked to EP/P015514/1EP/P015565/1
Award: £55,467
Start date 1/04/17 End date 30/09/19

Abstract

Mid IR Active Component Growth by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Principal Investigator:Porf. I Thayne (School of Engineering)
Co-Investigators: Dr I. MacLaren, Dr. D. McGrouther
Funding Source: Scottish Enterprise/ CENSIS
Award: £478,786
Start date 1/09/15 End date 31/08/18

PRETICONTROL: Control of precipitation sequences during hot rolling to improve product uniformity of titanium containing high strength steels

Investigators: I MacLaren
Funding Source: European Commission - Research Fund for Coal and Steel GRANT AGREEMENT No RFSR-CT-2015-00013
Total award: €1,268,057 (£114194.34 to Glasgow)
Start date 01/07/15 End date 31/12/18

The project aims to understand how precipitation of Ti, in conjunction with Nb and V, influences microstructure and property development during processing of high titanium (max. 0.15wt%) containing high strength steels (>700MPa) and hence make recommendations for compositions which are relatively insensitive to varying processing conditions. It will be achieved by characterization of precipitation sequences during the main stages of the hot rolling process. Influence of microalloying elements on austenite recrystallization behaviour and bainite phase transformation will be investigated by thermo-mechanical techniques coupled to high resolution characterization methods. Models will be developed and applied to optimise hot strip rolling strategy.

A Focused Ion Beam Microscopy Facility for Advanced Materials Analysis

Principal Investigator: Dr. I. MacLaren
Co-Investigators: Prof. M. Calder, Prof. R. Stamps, Dr. D. MacLaren, Dr. D. McGrouther, Dr. S. McVitie
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/P001483/1
Award: £1,081,831
Start date 1/07/16 End date 30/09/17

Abstract

Fast Pixel Detectors: a paradigm shift in STEM imaging

Principal Investigator: Dr. I MacLaren
Co-Investigators: Dr. D. McGrouther
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/M009963/1
Award: £391,288
Start date 1/02/15 End date 31/01/18

Abstract

Artificial Spin Ice: Designer Matter Far From Equilibrium

Principal Investigator: Prof. R. Stamps
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/L002922/1
Award: £492,124
Start date 1/10/13 End date 31/03/17

Abstract

A structure analysis of the intact virion and replicative complexes of human respiratory syncytial virus

Principal Investigator: Dr. D. Bhella (College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences)
Co-Investigators: Dr. D. McGrouther, Dr. R. Fearns (MVLS)
Funding Source: MRC - MR/M000451/1
Award: £751,763
Start date 1/11/14 End date 30/11/17

Abstract

IFOX: Interfacing Oxides

Investigators: JN Chapman, DA MacLaren, D McGrouther
Funding Source: European Commission - Grant Agreement NMP3-LA-2010-246102
Total award: €11,300,000
Start date 01/12/11 End date 30/11/15

See the project website for full details of partners and the project aims.

Integrating advanced nanomaterials into transformative technologies

Principal Investigator: Dr D A MacLaren
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/I00419X/1
Award: £1,037,162
Start date 1/10/10 End date 30/09/15

Abstract

SuperSTEM:The UK Aberration-Corrected STEM Facility

Investigators: AJ Craven, M Falke
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/D040205/1
Total award: £576,080
Start date 1/11/06 End date 31/10/11

New multiferroic and magnetoresistive materials for information storage: emergent behaviour in complex molybdate perovskites

Investigators: Dr E Cussen (Uni. of Strathclyde), Dr DA MacLaren, Dr FD Morrison
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/H001751/1
Total award: £374,816
Start date 1/10/09 End Date 31/03/13

Small items of research equipment at the University of Glasgow

Investigators: M Padgett, N Kamenos, B Choubey, SL Neale, IW Martin, MD Symes, RS Forgan, DA MacLaren, M Tassieri
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/K031732/1
Total award: £447,357 
Start date 1/11/12 End date 31/03/13

The atomic resolution chemical structure of defects in multiferroic oxides

Investigators: Dr I MacLaren, Prof A J Craven, Prof I M Reaney (University of Sheffield)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/J009679/1, EP/J009628/1
Award: £34,272 (of which £11,800 to Glasgow)
Start date 1/12/11 End date 30/11/12

Abstract

Using aberration corrected STEM to study the atomic structure of incommensurate antiferroelectrics

Principal Investigator: Dr I MacLaren
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/I000879/1
Award: £14,255
Start date 3/6/10 End date 3/3/11

Abstract

Ageing of printable polymer solar cells

Investigators: Prof I Samuel, Prof J Loos
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/I013288/1
Award: £589,517
Start date 1/3/11 End date 31/8/13

Abstract

Ultra-high temperature synthesis of high-performance Zintl thermoelectrics

Investigators: Dr J-W Bos (Heriot Watt), Dr D A MacLaren (as a subcontract)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/J000884/1
Total award: £79,630
Start date 13/09/11 End date 12/09/13

Abstract

Molecular-Metal-Oxide-nanoelectronicS (M-MOS): Achieving the Molecular Limit

Investigators: Prof L Cronin, Prof AMA Asenov, Dr G Cooke, Prof DRS Cumming, Dr DA MacLaren, Prof J McGrady, Dr M Murrie, Prof DJ Paul
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/H024107/1
Award: £3 570 000
Start date 1/02/10 End date 31/07/14

Abstract

INSPIRE Physical Sciences: A synergy for next generation materials science

Investigators: O Cespedes (Leeds), J Bos (Heriot-Watt), G Teobaldi (Liverpool), DA MacLaren, AI Coldea (Oxford)
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/K036408/1
Total award: £50,457
Start date 01/04/2013 End date 30/09/2014

Abstract

Current-Driven Domain Wall Motion in Multilayer Nanowires

Investigators: Dr S McVitie, Dr D McGrouther, Prof JMR Weaver
Funding Source: EPSRC - EP/I013520/1
Award: £694,887
Start date 1/10/10 End date 31/3/14

Abstract

Precipitation in high manganese steels

Glasgow Investigators: Dr I MacLaren, Prof AJ Craven, Dr D McGrouther
European Network Project with: ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany), ArcelorMittal (France), University of Oulu (Finland), KTH (Sweden), RWTH Aachen (Germany), CEIT (Spain)
Funding Source: EU - Research Fund for Coal and Steel
Glasgow Award: £179,338
Start date 1/7/10 End date 31/1/15

Abstract

Improving the Accuracy of a Thermoset Polymer capacitive Humidity Sensor

Investigators: Dr D McGrouther, Prof. R Stamps
Funding Source: EPSRC CASE Studentship with Honeywell Sensing and Control
Glasgow Award: £69,121
Start date 01/10/2011 End date 30/09/16

Abstract