Condensed matter and materials physics addresses the fundamental properties of solids and liquids, and of all subfields of physics, has generated the largest number of practical applications that have dramatically changed our lives in recent decades. Materials necessarily underpin virtually any technology, since every device must be made from substances that possess favorable properties for a given task. Materials research also has generated numerous breakthroughs in cutting-edge, fundamental physics, such as the quantum Hall effect, colossal magnetoresistance and high temperature superconductivity. It is therefore widely recognized that whoever controls the synthesis and discovery of novel materials generally controls the evolution of basic research into their properties and, ultimately, their successful application in advanced technologies.

The Center for Advanced Materials seeks to establish a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and transformative research program to investigate novel electronic materials, bringing together experts from across Kentucky to pursue basic research as well as potential applications. Our current and planned research emphasizes the synthesis of novel materials in both bulk-single-crystal and thin-film forms having unusual electrical transport, magnetic and optical properties. Materials already under investigation include transition metal oxides, magnetic clusters, inorganic/organic hybrid systems, single-molecule magnets (SMMs), and spintronics-related devices. The Center also implements an integrated graduate training program that emphasizes both materials synthesis and characterization techniques covering a broad spectrum of materials and experimental probes.

The Center for Advanced Materials, which is located in Physics-Chemistry building on UK campus, is recently awarded a multi-million dollar grant via Kentucky NSF EPSCoR. This grant will significantly enhance our infrastructure necessary for a world-class materials center that will enable us to conduct comprehensive materials (both inorganic and organic) research including sophisticated synthesis of both thin films (or heterostructures) and bulk crystals and characterization at extreme conditions such as high magnetic fields, ultra low temperatures and high pressures.  It comprises of faculty members from College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering at University of Kentucky and from three other participating institutions, Center College, Berea College and Morehead State University.

Center Seminar by both Center scientists and prominent international researchers will be held regularly.

For more information, please contact Professor Ambrose Seo at a.seo@uky.edu.

Center for Advanced Materials Personnel