Complex Oxide Materials and Devices:
Professor Ramanathan investigates structure-property relations in complex oxide thin films and exploratory solid state devices for information processing and energy conversion. Their group is closely involved in synthesis of metal-oxide thin films with atomic scale control over structure and composition and understanding ionic and electronic transport in strong electric fields. They are particularly interested in oxides where Coulomb interactions lead to new phases that allow unprecedented properties to emerge. Another area of long standing interest is solid oxide fuel cells utilizing ultra-thin suspended oxide membranes. The group is highly multi-disciplinary, involving physicists, materials scientists and electrical engineers, all having a common underlying interest in uncovering properties of new materials. They collaborate extensively with researchers in academia, industry and national labs. Alumni from the group have moved on to faculty positions at major research institutions; national/industrial/defense research laboratories, or have started companies, indicating diverse opportunities in their chosen fields.
