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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S57396/01
Title: Molecular Nanomagnets: Synthetic & Spectroscopic Exploration of the Limits of Information Storage
Principal Investigator: Winpenny, Professor RE
Other Investigators:
Blundell, Professor S Collison, Dr D Heath, Professor SL
McInnes, Professor EJL
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Professor EK Brechin
Project Partners:
Department: Chemistry
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 2004 Ends: 31 January 2009 Value (£): 1,069,316
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Electronics
Related Grants:
GR/S57402/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Molecules that retain magnetisation in the absence of a magnetic field represent the smallest conceivable information storage device. These single molecule magnets (SMMs) also show tunnelling of magnetisation, which makes them candidates for Qubits in quantum computing. This proposal builds on UK expertise in synthesis of SMMs - based in Manchester, and on spectroscopic characterisation of SMMs - EPR, MCD and muon spin rotation spectroscopy (UEA, Manchester and Oxford). The funding sought guarantees continuity in this area, will reinforce these UK groups' position as world leaders in this field, and make possible exploration of new and adventurous synthetic targets. It will also allow us to look at new spectroscopic experiments, which may underpin future use of SMMs in information storage and processing. The key synthetic strategy will be to use highly anisotropic metal ions as part of the SMMs, which should lead to greater anisotropy for the spin states of the resulting cages, and therefore to higher energy barriers for retention of the magnetisation. One key feature of the spectroscopic investigation will be to understand how single ion anisotropy is reflected by cluster anisotropy, and hence allow us to maximise the latter by design of clusters - perhaps with specific shapes and superexchange paths.
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Organisation Website: http://www.man.ac.uk