Cutting-edge electronics research in the UK has received a significant boost, thanks to grants for the University of Warwick — totalling almost £1.75 million — from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Professor Marin Alexe in the Department of Physics (pictured) has been awarded grants for two research projects in the field of ferroelectricity, which may lead to breakthroughs in nano-technology, as well as memory storage in everyday devices.

One project — Ferrotoroidic structures: polar flux-closure, vortices and skyrmions — will develop a new understanding of ferroelectrics systems — materials that are used in smartphones and TVs, watches, games consoles, and computers.

The aim is to obtain and analyse the fundamental structural and functional properties of polar ferrotoroidic oxides based on the perovskite structure.

The knowledge acquired from this project could be used to develop the next generation of memory devices and cognitive computing — revolutionising the fields of data processing and secure communications.

Another project — Ferroelectric, ferroelastic, and multiferroic domain walls: a new horizon in functional materials — is important for the electronics industry, as it could unlock the potential of domain-wall technology for micro-electronics and progress the development of functional nano-devices.

Warwick will be working alongside Queen’s University Belfast, as well as the universities of Cambridge and St Andrews.

Professor Alexe recently joined Warwick’s Department of Physics as Chair of Functional Materials, after spending 18 years at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics-Halle.