Research
I obtained my PhD in Physics from Imperial College London. I have extensive experience working in Industry (VG Scientific) as well as in academia (Sincrotrone Trieste, ICTP Trieste and Liverpool University). and am currently professor in condensed matter physics at the University of Liverpool. My experimental approach, studying electronic properties of advanced functional materials for energy applications, is achieved using three state-of-art instruments that I designed and developed in the Nanomaterials Laboratory based at the Stephenson Institute of Renewable Energy (SIRE).
My research is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary both nationally and internationally (UK, EU, USA, Mexico and India). In addition to my in-house research in the electronic characterization of advanced energy materials, both for photo voltaic conversion and battery storage, I have over 20 years’ experience in synchrotron research with close links with large scale facilities at Daresbury (joint PhD student) Diamond (beamtimes) and Trieste.
Photoemission measurements of advanced functional materials
My main interests started out in adsorbate induced surface structures, which I investigated using normal incidence X-ray wavefield technique and LEED I-V, and using photoemission to investigate surface melting and high temperature phase transitions on semiconductor surfaces, and functionalization of carbon nanotubes and nano composite materials, The experience gained in these activities have been used to align my current research in line with the Universitiy's core strategies of developing research areas in renewable energy. I have developed one of the finest laboratories in the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, for photoemission investigations in advanced functional materials for energy conversion and storage, and high-k oxide thin films on semiconductors. My research is collaborative and inter-disciplinary, enabling me to make cross faculty, national and international collaborations,
as well as with industry. I also use national facilities like Diamond Light Source and Harwell National XPS centre for photoemission measurements.
Band alignment and electronic structure of interfaces
Interfaces between substrates and thin films are a necessary and integral part of devices, from solar PV cells to transistors. Photoemission allows probing the interface structure and determine the band alignment between two semiconductor heterostructures. Much of this research is focussed on high-k dielectrics on semiconductors like silicon, germanium, gallium nitride and silicon carbide, the latter two being important semiconductors for high power applications.
Research groups
Research grants
FLUENCE: Felix Light for the UK: Exploiting Novel Characteristics and Expertise.
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
October 2017 - December 2022
Dielectric engineering on GaN for sustainable energy applications
UK-INDIA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVE (UK)
April 2018 - March 2021
Donor Design for Maximum Mobility TCOs
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2016 - September 2019
Enhancing nanoscience at the SRS using scanning tunnelling microscopy.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL
April 2005 - May 2007
Finding universal design laws for efficiency enhancing layers in thin film PV
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2013 - December 2015
Research collaborations
Prof. Martyn Pemble
University College Cork, Ireland
Laurence Hardwick
Photoemission measurements from battery materials
Frank Jaekel
Photoemission measurements from nano-particles
Joe Smerdon, Prof. Waqar Ahmed
University of Central Lancashire
Various, including STM measurements, photoemission measurements.
Satheeshe Krishnamurty
The Open University
Ken Durose, Tim Veal
Photoemission measurements on PV materials
Prof. Amit Chakrobarty
National Institute of Technology Durgapur
Prof. Chris Lucas
Joint PhD students
Prof. Steve Hall, Dr. Ivona Mitrovich
Joint students
Prof. S. Jeelani
Tuskegee University
We have made two NSF grant proposals as part of a consortium with research interests in nanocomposites.
Prof. Hassan Mahfuz
Florida Atlantic University
We are embarking on a new relationship of collaboration in teaching and research associated with minority US students. Research involves nanocomposites. Two NSF proposals have been made.
Rasmita Raval
I have supported this group in their research activity at the SRS Daresbury. Specifically, in measurements of dichroism from chiral molecules adsorbed on copper surfaces.
Steve Barrett
We have collaborated on a number of research projects of mutual interest and I have supported Steve's research interest at the SRS regarding photoemission from rare earth systems. We have also made measurements using LEED I-V and circular polarised light at the SRS.
Ronan McGrath
We have collaborated on a number of research projects of mutual interest and published as co-authors. The most recent collaboration is to develop an STM based Nanoscience station on beamline 4.1 at the SRS, Daresbury.
Toni Santoni
ENEA, Frascatti, Italy
Research collaboration and measurement at BESSY and SRS synchrotron radiation sources. Research interests include surface melting and phase transitions, adsorbate induced reconstructions and surface structure determination. Techniques used include photoemission, photoabsorption, X-ray standing wavefield technique, surface EXAFS