Emerging applications
Paragrafo
The group faces the challenges deriving from emerging applications by conducting research on the following topics:
- Efficient energy production and conversion. Study and characterization of Fe–Si alloys and soft ferrites for electrotechnical applications (motors and transformers) and for power electronics devices;
- Fabrication and characterization of magnetic devices, integrated with other functional materials in composite structures, that convert mechanical vibrations into electrical current;
- Study and modelling of new magnetic phenomena. Through computational magnetism techniques, the group studies how to optimise materials and devices in order to maximise their performance in emerging applications such as spintronics, thermomagnetism, and nanoscale magnetism;
- Magnetic materials for biomedical applications. Study of magnetic processes at the nanoscale in multifunctional systems, including nanoparticles, thin films, core–shell structures, and magnetoelectric nanocomposites. The research integrates modelling, advanced magnetic characterization, and analysis of operating and environmental conditions, with the aim of controlling and optimising magnetic properties and enhancing performance in areas such as magnetic hyperthermia, controlled drug delivery, advanced imaging, sensing, and remote magnetoelectric stimulation, through the definition of the most effective material configurations and operating parameters;
- Research on thermomagnetic phenomena: measurement setups for transverse thermoelectric effects such as Nernst and spin Seebeck effects and their reciprocals (Ettingshausen and spin Peltier) are available. A Peltier-cells-based differential calorimetry setup is also available for the experimental investigation of magnetocaloric materials. Within this laboratory, experimental investigations are supported by fundamental research and the production of materials with thermomagnetic properties;
- Computational magnetism activities support the development of emerging applications by filling the gap between more fundamental physical research and technological innovation. The main activities include:
- Investigation of emerging thermomagnetic effects to optimise materials properties;
- Advanced micromagnetic simulations to help designing novel magnetic devices such as racetrack memories based on DMI interactions, spin waves in 3D and Physical Unclonable Functions (PUF) based on exotic magnetic textures.