The science of quantum materials has seen a significant advance in the last decade. The driving force behind this development is, on one hand, the discovery of entirely new quantum states and phenomena, and on the other hand, their potential application in quantum technologies, which stems from the unique properties of these materials. In my lecture, I will focus on an unusual magnetic state known as a quantum spin liquid. This state can only occur in certain magnetic systems and is interesting from both of the aforementioned perspectives. Due to its complex nature, this state is very difficult to prove and investigate experimentally. I will present experimental techniques that have proven to be most suitable for this task and which we successfully use in our research. I will also highlight some key discoveries in this field that my colleagues and I have made in recent years.
From stem cells to smart brains in the lab
Lab grown mini-brains encompass a large collection of in vitro stem cell-derived three-dimensional culture systems that aim to recapitulate multiple aspects of in vivo brain development and function. Our laboratory focusses on the functional characterisation of murine...