Exotic magnetism in alloys, oxides and hydrides
Recently, the activity is focused on strongly correlated Ce-based alloys exhibiting geometrical frustration (eg. CePdIn). In related alloys our group has discovered atomic disorder driven quantum criticality. We also investigate influence of hydrogen on interplay between Kondo and RKKY interactions in these systems. We are also interested in geometrically frustrated magnetic materials like CeMgNi2Co2 where 3d magnetic moment are placed in the fully frustrated pyrochlore lattice, while additional 4f moments set exchange bias like conditions for the frustrated lattice. By introducing atomic disorder in the 4f and/or 3d magnetic sublattice we showed that spin glass like behaviour is likely to occur.
Hydrogen storage
Our group is involved in optimisation of hydrogen storage systems based on metallic hydrides (MH). We have develop in-situ neutron imaging for unveil processes happening inside of the operating MH containers. Our studies launched collaboration with leading laboratories involved in solid-state based hydrogen storage. Additionally, thanks to collaboration with Shibaura Institute of Technology (Tokyo, Japan) we took part in research of amorphous and quasicrystalline materials for hydrogen storage. Synthesis of fully amorphous hydrides can be named as our main success in the field
Structural research
Our group has expertise in situ X-ray and neutron diffraction in broad temperature range.
Head of the group:
dr hab. Łukasz Gondek
Staff:
dr Joanna Czub
dr inż. Jan Michalik
PhD Students:
mgr inż. Paulina Robótka