Mechanical confinement affects the ferroelectric switching path around morphotropic phase boundary

10-31-2017, HOUSTON, TX

The study on the interesting phase transition kinetics of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3O3)-PbTiO3 single crystal pillars with compositions around morphotropic phase boundary under mechanical and electrical stimulus is accepted by Physical Review Applied. Various mechanically reversible and irreversible domain switching states are realized. This is the second collaborative paper that utilizes my thermodynamic model (phase-field simulations) of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3O3)-PbTiO3 and in-situ TEM expertise from the University of Sydney (Prof. Xiaozhou Liao and Dr. Zibin Chen). These two papers provide a new view on re-designing non-volatile memory by the controllable/recoverable ferroelectric switching states and decreased consumption of energy with the help of mechanical confinement.

Study on defect engineering surface reaction kinetics is highlighted

10-30-2017, HOUSTON, TX

Our study on the enhanced surface reaction kinetics by introducing anti-site defects appears online (doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01315-8). It has also been highlighted by Rice News, Futurity, United Press International, Science360 News, Eurekalert, PhysOrg, ScienceDaily, Nanowerk, and others.