Nanostructured materials based on spintronic effects for energy conversion (“thermospin”) and on topological surfaces.
Subline 1.2.-New thermopiles based on spin thermoelectric effects.
In 2008, the effect similar to the classical thermoelectric (based on the existence of charges) but due to the spin of the electron was discovered. In this effect, a magnetic material (if possible electrical insulator) and a Pt electrode (or another metal with strong spin-orbit coupling) are needed. Our contribution has consisted in making multilayers of (magnetite / Pt) n and we have found a notable increase in efficiency that has allowed us to develop thermopile models with power factors orders of magnitude higher than that found in other groups. Our specific objective in the proposed period will be to investigate structures in which the Pt electrode is replaced by an oxide, specifically IrO2 will be investigated and the magnetic material will grow maghemite (ferrimagnetic phase and electrical insulator). New physicochemical methods are going to be developed, alternatives to laser ablation that allow scalability and its transfer to the business sector.
Subline 1.2.-Spintronic effects on topological surfaces.
2-D materials, such as graphene, MoS2, topological insulators, and others, exhibit electronic conduction properties and spin-related effects due to the breaking of spatial symmetry on the surface, which will have a strong impact on scientific knowledge and in new logics for computing based on quantum phenomena. Our group is very well positioned in this field with recent publications in high impact journals, thanks to having unique STM microscopy infrastructures.