Multiferroics and magnetoelectrics are materials that develop a ferroelectric polarization in a magnetic state, either spontaneously or in a magnetic field. Because they can in principle convert electric into magnetic signals, it has been proposed that they could be used as key components in a new generation of information storage and processing devices, alternative and better than the familiar magnetic (e.g., hard disks) and ferroelectric (e.g., smart-card chips) storage media. A true renaissance in the field was triggered by the discovery of a new class of multiferroics, in which magnetism and ferroelectricity are tightly coupled. However, after almost a decade of research, no material has yet emerged as a viable candidate for applications, since the observed effects are weak and generally restricted to low temperatures. Here, we propose to explore at the fundamental level a number of novel concepts, which depart in a radical way from the thoroughly-explored `cycloidal magnetism' paradigm. In particular, we will attempt to unlock the potential of the strongest of the mageto-electric interactions, the so-called `exchange striction' effect. In contrast to the weaker effects mostly considered so far, obtaining electrical polarisation from exchange striction requires an exquisite control of the crystal symmetry and of the magnetic interactions at the atomic level. We propose to employ an innovative research methodology, which combines conventional measurements of electrical and magnetic properties, `imaging' of the spins and electric dipoles at different length-scales, from atomic to macroscopic, and state-of-the-art ab-initio theoretical calculations of the static and dynamic properties of these systems, both at low temperatures and at room temperature. The breakthrough we seek is a new microscopic "working principle" that can be deployed to perfect practical multiferroics and magnetoelectrics materials. Our new approach, which strongly emphasizes the interface between theory and experiments, will also pave the way for similar studies on related classes of materials, with applications in information storage, energy conversion and storage and many others.

In 2019 48.5% of the 32 GW daily average energy demand in the UK was carbon-free - contributed by wind farms, solar and nuclear energy, alongside energy imported by subsea interconnectors and biomass. This trend supports the "net zero" commitment signed by the government in 2019. However, significant technologies still need to be developed to enable this goal. One key such technology is high voltage direct current (HVDC) grid level transmission which will enable the "supergrid". This is a network of long distance power transmission lines across and between countries and those aforementioned energy production facilities, particularly in remote locations such as offshore wind farms. Increasing the efficiency and power rating of each grid interconnection (as well as reducing their volume and weight) it would mean more widespread implementation and hence better energy security, lower carbon footprint and better energy economy for the UK. Within most interconnectors, 50% of the volume is the power electronics devices, traditionally made from Silicon technology. Silicon Carbide (SiC) has clear advantages over current Silicon technology such as high temperature and higher frequency operation, with lower resultant system weight and volume. Recently, commercially available SiC power devices have recently entered the market with force, predicted to be worth $2bn by 2024, with rapid growth in this technology is being actively driven by a number of early adopters in the automotive sector, e.g. Tesla. However for high voltage (>1.7 kV) power transmission, bipolar Silicon devices (IGBTs, GTOs) are more efficient - so the technology must presently be chosen relative to application. To remove this restriction, SiC power devices of all types can be additionally bolstered by SuperJunction (SJ) technology, improving the efficiencies of the material and fully ready to challenge Si technology. This proposal intends on developing new 6.5 kV SiC SJ materials and devices technology for the goal of increased power transmission. Current research in SiC SJ devices consists only of a handful of reports on single devices, whilst encouraging, the technology is still in its infancy. The UK has an opportunity to develop the technology from the ground up and become a serious international name. The major challenge being that SiC processing methods fall short of being able to mass-produce the superjunction material, with one method being expensive and complicated, another requiring very tight precision of parameters and the last compromising on current rating. Specifically here we propose to develop Trench Epitaxy (TE), which deposits crystalline materials in very high aspect ratio micro trenches. The deposition method is chemical vapour deposition (CVD), which is accepted as the industry gold standard of fast throughput, high quality materials production and so must be the method of choice when developing this technology. The challenges in developing TE lie in the transport of the gases to the bottom of the trenches to a) etch the material, b) condition it ready for deposition and c) fully refilling the trenches with modified material and d) ensuring the surface is returned to its previous state. The more complex challenges lie in the non-mutually exclusive chemical nature of the work, where a change in one parameter may change many more. Warwick currently houses the only industrial SiC CVD in the UK, has a dedicated SiC device fabrication cleanroom and many analytical tools so is the ideal place for the UK to enter this field with the view to contributing to the technology at the point of entry. The University of Warwick is a key member of EPSRC Centre for Power Electronics and is part of the £17M APC-12 ESCAPE (End-to-end Supply Chain development for Automotive Power Electronics) project which is developing a UK centred SiC production line, led by McLaren, so pathways exist of fully implementing TE SiC SJ technology after development.

We will train a cohort of students at the interface between the physical and computer sciences to drive the critically needed implementation of digital and automated methods in chemistry and materials. Through such training, each student will develop a common language across the areas of automation, AI, synthesis, characterization and modelling, preparing them to become both leader and team player in this evolving and multifaceted research landscape. The lack of skilled individuals is one of the main obstacles to unlocking the potential of digital materials research. This is demonstrated by the enthusiastic response toward this proposal from our industrial partners, who span sectors and sizes: already 35 are involved and we have already received cash support corresponding to over 27 full studentships. This proposal will deliver the EPRSC strategic priority "Physical and Mathematical Sciences Powerhouse" by training in "discovery research in areas of potential high reward, connecting with industry and other partners to accelerate translation in areas such as catalysis, digital chemistry and materials discovery." The CDT training programme is based on a unique physical and intellectual infrastructure at the University of Liverpool. The Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) was established to deliver the vision of digital materials research in partnership with industry: it now co-locates over 100 industrial scientists from more than 15 companies with over 200 academic researchers. Since 2017, academics and industrial researchers from physical sciences, engineering and computer sciences have co-developed the intellectual environment, infrastructure and expertise to train scientists across these areas. To date, more than 40 PhD projects have been co-designed with and sponsored by our core industrial partners in the areas of organic, inorganic, hybrid, composite and formulated materials. Through this process, we have developed bespoke training in data science, AI, robotics, leadership, and computational methods. Now, this activity must be grown scalably and sustainably to match the rapidly increasing demand from our core partners and beyond. This CDT proposal, developed from our previous experience, allows us to significantly extend into new sectors and to a much larger number of partners, including late adopters of digital technologies. In particular, we can now reach SMEs, which currently have limited options to explore digitalization pathways without substantial initial investment. A distinctive and exciting training environment will be built exploiting the diverse background of the students. Peer learning and group activities within a cross-disciplinary team will accelerate the development of a common language. The ability to use a combination of skills from different individuals with distinct domain expertise to solve complex problems will build the teams capable of driving the necessary change in industry and academia. The professional training will reflect the diversity of career opportunities available to this cohort in industry, academia and non-commercial research organizations. Each component will be bespoke for scientists in the domain of materials research (Entrepreneurship, Chemical Supply Chain, Science Policy, Regulatory Framework). External partners of training will bring different and novel perspectives (corporate, SMEs, start-ups, international academics but also charities, local authorities, consultancy firms). Cohort activities span the entire duration of the training, without formal division between "training" and "research" periods, exploiting the physical infrastructure of MIF and its open access area to foster a strong and vital sense of community. We will embed EDI principles in all aspects of the CDT (e.g. recruitment, student well-being, composition of management, supervisory and advisory teams) to make it a pervasive component of the student experience and professional training.