Nanoscale metal particles

We are particularly interested in solid-liquid phase coexistence in metallic nanoparticles, which can occur prior to melting in isolated nanoparticles.

In sufficiently small particles, the wetting of the solid by the melt can lead to interesting behaviours such as solid-solid transitions, superheating, or the absence of solid-liquid coexistence entirely.

This project is being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Canterbury and the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology in New Zealand.

We are also studying the deposition of nanoparticles on to surfaces and their assembly into nanowires using our simulation software. This work is in collaboration with NanoCluster Devices Ltd in Christchurch.

We are interested in establishing further research collaborations and developing links with companies to progress these technologies.