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Tunable array of magnetic nano-crystals designed at the atomic scale: engineering high performance magnetic materials using hybrid organic-inorganic nano-architectures (MAGNETALS)
Start date: Nov 1, 2010, End date: Oct 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

"The storage density of computer hard drives is growing so rapidly that for new computer drive generations not only optimized materials are needed but also new concepts for data storage. Last decades, higher storage densities on computer disks were achieved by optimization of magnetic materials, i.e. the magnetic grains were gradually shrunk while, at the same time, the magnetic stability was increased. The nowadays smallest storage unit is made up 100 to 600 grains, that form one bit. Each grain is about 10 nanometres in size. These grains are arranged next to each other on substrates that are plated with magnetic metals. Decreasing further the size and amount of the grains necessary for one bit is now irremediably affecting the signal/noise ratio, weaker signals leading to loss of information. Therefore, new concepts for magnetic storage media have to be found.Material reduced size leads to novel properties totally different from bulk properties. In our project we will engineer matter at the atomic and molecular level and develop advanced construction methods to build new functionalised materials for magnetic storage. We propose a multidisciplinary research project, that aims to explore various aspects related to magnetic properties of highly organised organic-inorganic nano-architectures. We will engineer tunable supramolecular assemblies to host and organise inorganic shape-selected magnetic nanocrystals. Due to the sensitive interrelation of magnetism and the atomic structure of these systems, any induced nanostructure modification will result in changes of the magnetism. Our ability to tailor nanocrystal size, composition, structure, shape and position will allow us to tune magnetism at the atomic scale. We will thus be able to design and produce new high density hybrid nano-architectures having gigantic magnetic performance, i.e., huge magnetostatic energy stored and a high blocking temperature. This research therefore has the potential to make a considerable impact on the high density data storage industry"
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