Michigan State University chemist Weiwei Xie is pushing the boundaries of high-pressure science to discover novel quantum materials with exciting electronic and magnetic properties. With a grant from the National Science Foundation, Xie will work alongside MSU and the University of Michigan partners, including Susannah Dorfman and Jie “Jackie” Li, to focus on iridium oxide, a highly stable compound with excellent electrical conductivity.
The project aims to contribute to the search for next-generation quantum materials and high-temperature superconductors by applying intense heat and pressure to these compounds and studying changes to their physical properties. The team will use advanced technologies such as diamond anvil cells and high-pressure X-ray diffraction to study the properties of iridium oxides under extreme conditions. This research can potentially lead to breakthroughs in high-temperature superconductivity, which could have monumental implications for fields such as energy transmission and medical imaging.
High-Pressure Chemistry: A Key to Unlocking Next-Generation Quantum Materials
Pursuing novel quantum materials with unique electronic and magnetic properties has led researchers to explore the realm of high-pressure chemistry. Michigan State University chemist Weiwei Xie, along with her partners from MSU and the University of Michigan, is at the forefront of this research, utilizing cutting-edge techniques to investigate iridium oxides under extreme conditions.
High-pressure chemistry involves applying immense forces to materials, often exceeding 10,000 atmospheres, to alter their properties. This is achieved through instruments like diamond anvil cells (DACs), which use two perfectly matched diamonds to exert pressure on a sample. The DAC is then paired with X-ray diffraction, allowing researchers to study the material’s atomic structure as it changes under pressure.
The Quest for High-Temperature Superconductors
Xie and her team are particularly interested in understanding the properties of iridium oxides, which share similarities with cuprates, which are currently the highest-temperature superconductors known. Superconductors allow electricity to flow without losing energy but typically require extremely low temperatures to function. The discovery of a true high-temperature superconductor would have far-reaching implications, from lossless electrical grids to enhanced MRIs and particle accelerators.
Pushing the Boundaries of Experimentation
To further their research, Xie’s team is employing advanced techniques like multi-anvil processing, which amplifies the force applied to a substance. By controlling these extreme conditions, researchers can better pinpoint how and when a sample undergoes certain changes, critical for synthesizing larger amounts of quantum materials.
Expanding the High-Pressure Chemistry Community
As part of their efforts, Xie’s team is developing outreach opportunities to educate and expand the community of high-pressure chemists. These initiatives include workshops for graduate students to gain hands-on experience with high-pressure experimentation, as well as a visiting scholar series aimed at post-tenure professors.
The Synergy of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The collaboration between Xie’s lab, geologists, engineers, and others has fostered a unique exchange of research experiences and techniques. This synergy is crucial in pushing the boundaries of high-pressure chemistry and unlocking the secrets of next-generation quantum materials.
The Future of Quantum Materials Research
As researchers continue to explore the uncharted territories of high-pressure chemistry, they may uncover breakthroughs that take us to the edge of our understanding of the universe. The discovery of a true high-temperature superconductor would be a monumental achievement, with implications that could revolutionize various fields of science and technology.
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