CeFEMA is developing research involving intergroup and external collaborations in the following multidisciplinary topics.

Non-equilibrium drives open new frontiers for materials engineering, allowing for novel phases and processes of great technological potential that are impossible to realize under equilibrium conditions. CeFEMA will focus on the theoretical description of non-equilibrium ordered phases and Mott insulating compounds in the presence of a DC current. Besides clarifying recent experimental findings our results are of interest for current-controlled collective modes with applications in sensing, energy-efficient Mott-based transistors, information encoding and manipulation. C# will pursue the characterization of dissipative phases arising in open quantum systems submitted to quenches or periodically drives. C# will consider far from equilibrium systems ranging from macroscopic to unstable exotic nuclei and particle resonances.
The phenomena occurring during laser-materials interactions in the femtosecond regime and the resulting phase transformations will be studied by a combination of pump-and-probe real-time experiments and advanced postmortem characterization, and theoretical methods. Potential applications in biomedicine, photonic devices, materials synthesis and micro and nanofabrication will be explored.

The search for new phases of matter has led to new materials with potential innovative applications, such as topological systems with their protected properties. CeFEMA’s strategy in this important research area (Nobel Prize 2016) is to study space-time topological systems, where a full exploration of their phases is far from complete, to study representative models including semi metal phases, identify the topological invariants, to relate static to space-time systems leading to phases topologically richer than the static ones, and also to study topological orders at zero and finite temperature through quantum (Q) information methods.

Interesting applications will be pursued in the fields of Q memories and topological Q computation using Majorana fermions in topological superconductors and teleportation of information through them. CeFEMA also plans to implement simulators of topological systems through electrical circuits with topological surface states that manifest themselves in boundary resonances appearing in the impedance readout of topo-electrical circuits.

Science and engineering of nanostructured fluids (NF) and soft matter are of key importance since these systems are present in all living systems and many technological applications. NMR is recognized to provide unique information about molecular order and organization by analysing molecular dynamics (cf. CA15209 EURELAX). CeFEMA’s strategy to reinforce its leading role in this field (cf. FCT-PTNMR, developer of new FFC NMR technology) will focus on the synthesis and NMR characterization of cellulose acetate/silica hybrid membranes and polymer/nanoparticles composite membranes providing selective mass transfer, targeting industrial processes of ultra and nanofiltration and reverse osmosis; enhanced barrier properties; and improved drug delivery.

Furthermore, the pursuit of NMR characterization of molecular order and dynamics in ionic liquids, and exotic nematics, aims at the optimization of systems with technological applications. Also, the NF investigation provides the necessary background knowledge to model and control natural systems like cell membranes and organic electrolytes.

Advanced laser processing techniques will be applied to the microfabrication of new functional materials, thin films and devices. The formation mechanisms of surface nanostructures created by irradiation with femtosecond lasers and the impact of these nanostructures on the physical and mechanical properties of metallic and ceramic materials and 3D metal printing methods of single crystal aerospace components will be investigated.

Mono-to-few layer semiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) for photoelectrical applications with enhanced photo response by integrating the TMD with ferroelectrics within hybrid nanostructures and titanate nanotubes (TNTs) photocatalysts for photodegradation of organic pollutants will be developed.

CeFEMA strategy on Artificial Organs is to develop a portable artificial kidney (PAK) and a novel membrane blood oxygenator (MBO). The recent US Kidney Innovation Accelerator program endorses dialysis breakthroughs that increase life quality and reduce conventional therapy costs and suggests higher frequency hemodialysis. CeFEMA aims at: 1) Developing a PAK to function continuously providing efficient toxin clearance in a more physiological compensation of kidney failure than current short and intense treatments. Approaches envisioned: a blood purification membrane device that for the 1st time, applies microfluidic and ultrafiltration to therapeutic medicine and a hemodialyser with functionalized asymmetric membranes that mimic the glomerular capillary wall; 2) Design an MBO with asymmetric membranes and electrospun fibres at the membrane/blood interface as mixing promoters/diffusive layer disruptors for optimal flow and mass transfer compatible with limitations of shear stresses imposed in blood circulation.
CeFEMA further fosters the production of key biomaterials with superior bioproperties from biogenic calcium sources, and of dental ceramics materials and products.

In line with EU Renewable Energy Directive, CeFEMA’s strategy for clean energy generation will focus on fuel cells (cf. FCH JU), for which will develop low-cost electrodes and innovative technology for electrolytic hydrogen production and study of chemical hydrides (NaBH4) for reversible hydrogen storage.

Towards environmentally-friendly and economically viable energy storage systems (EU Energy Technology & Innovation), CeFEMA pursuits research on photovoltaic and plasmonic solar cells, piezoelectric thin films for energy harvesting, and nanostructured solid-state supercapacitors. Environmental-oriented processes, e.g. wastewater treatment, will be part of CeFEMA priorities. The strategic activity on energy-efficient membrane separation processes takes place in two international partnerships: IETS Annex XVII and CYTED Red 318RT0551. Advanced materials production for nuclear fusion related extreme environments will be pursued namely: Li-Sn and Cu ternary alloys.

In the theoretical front, C# will investigate novel approaches to quantum simulation (QS), namely the analogue QS of quantum materials and their topological properties, of non-Markovian and off equilibrium processes, as well as of gauge theories and hadronic matter. The methodologies will be centred in tensor networks approaches, engineered Hamiltonians, Q memristors and their non-linear properties. It will also cover validation, comparison with classical supercomputations using GPUs, and international collaborations in view of experimental implementations.

On the experimental front, C# will set up a Q optics laboratory to develop the implementation of entanglement distribution networks based on defects in diamonds. Entanglement networks form the key structure of a future Q internet, connecting Q computers or Q sensors. C# will investigate coloured defects and experimental schemes as realistic candidates for nodes in view of the scaling of the network.