Ling Group

Our aims

We take a “crystal chemical” approach whereby we try to relate the crystal structure of a material to its chemical composition on the one hand, and to its physical properties on the other.

Structural characterisation therefore plays a central role, and we make particularly heavy use of neutron, synchrotron X-ray and electron diffraction as well as complementary techniques such as spectroscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy.

Structural information is used to guide our exploratory synthetic studies and to interpret the results of our physical property measurements.

Most of our current projects fall into one of the following categories: solid-state ionic conductors for fuel cell and lithium-ion battery applications; frustrated, low-dimensional and otherwise complex magnetism; diffuse scattering and nanoscale structure in functional materials such as ferroelectrics; naturally layered multi-functional materials, especially magnetoresistors and multiferroics; and the crystallography and physical properties (such as thermoelectricity or non-linear optics) of modulated structures in up to six-dimensional superspace.

Our research

Most of our current projects fall into one of the following categories:

• solid-state ionic conductors for fuel cell and lithium-ion battery applications
• frustrated, low-dimensional and otherwise complex magnetism
• diffuse scattering and nanoscale structure in functional materials such as ferroelectrics
• naturally layered multi-functional materials, especially magnetoresistors and multiferroics
• crystallography and physical properties (such as thermoelectricity or non-linear optics) of modulated structures in up to six-dimensional superspace.

• Learn about our laboratory facilities

Opportunities

For information about opportunities to work or collaborate with the Ling Group, please contact Chris Ling.