| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/J003999/1 |
| Title: |
Synthesis and Studies of Novel States of Matter at Extreme Conditions |
| Principal Investigator: |
Gregoryanz, Professor E |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Edinburgh |
| Scheme: |
Leadership Fellowships |
| Starts: |
01 September 2011 |
Ends: |
31 August 2016 |
Value (£): |
1,103,039
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Condensed Matter Physics |
Magnetism/Magnetic Phenomena |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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21 Jun 2011
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Fellowships 2011 Interview Panel E
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Pressure causes extraordinary changes in the properties of matter by bringing the atoms closer and closer to each other. It can turn the
air we breath into a beautiful dark red crystal (oxygen), make a semiconducting polymer out of nitrogen or transform peanut butter into
diamond. Indeed, most matter exists under extreme conditions, so it is clear that we can fully understand the natural world only with
knowledge of the fundamental physical and chemical forces at play at high pressures. The field of modern high-pressure science is indeed
very wide, spanning from studying the origin of life to applications in food processing, and extending to the field of global warming research by,
for example, exploring increased solubility of greenhouse gas molecules in minerals under pressure. High pressures of 1,000,000 Atm and beyond
are generated by pressing a tiny sample between two diamonds which provide a perfect window into the unusual and interesting world.
My interest in high-pressure physics is primarily in studying very simple systems such as hydrogen, oxygen (familiar gases at normal
conditions) or alkali metals -- because, in the laboratory under very high compression, oxygen first red and then into shiny metal and sodium
becomes unexpectedly liquid at room temperature, and hydrogen is predicted to become metallic with very unusual properties such as
super-conducting super-fluidity.
The aim of this research is the synthesis and study of:
- novel exotic quantum states of liquid hydrogen and quantum liquids resulting from pressure-induced melting at low temperatures;
- high-pressure high-temperature hot liquids and their melting curves;
- super-conducting, super-hard and hydrogen rich materials in a wide range of temperatures.
In order to accomplish these goals, new challenging techniques will need to be developed and refined. To study cryogenic liquids, new
types of cryostats, designed to work with x-ray synchrotron and laser radiation, will be developed. To study and characterize liquids at
temperatures presently inaccessible and to synthesize novel recoverable materials, time-resolved laser heating and Raman spectroscopy
in the diamond anvil cell will need to be developed and constructed. These will be unique facilities.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ed.ac.uk |