Functional materials can convert one form of energy to another and thereby achieve an intelligent action as sensors or actuators, which are recognised as a vital area for the growth of the nation's economy. Our work is mainly concentrated on the interaction amongst synthesis, microstructure and polarisation-related properties of functional materials. Applied areas of interest are in sensors, transducers, actuators, microwave components used in telecommunication and information technology, and smart devices for renewable energy. On the fundamental side, we develop multidisciplinary expertise in wet chemical synthesis, crystal chemistry, defect chemistry, physical property characterisation, and modelling of functional materials. The group has a very close collaboration with Prof. Ray Withers.
