Dr. Alannah Hallas: Blusson Quantum Matter Institute

Title: Entropy engineering and tunable magnetic order in the spinel high entropy oxide

Abstract: The field of high entropy oxides (HEOs) flips traditional materials science paradigms on their head by seeking to understand what properties arise in the presence of profound configurational disorder. This disorder, which emerges as the result of multiple elements sharing a single crystalline lattice, can take on a kaleidoscopic character due to the vast numbers of possible elemental combinations and appears to imbue some HEOs with functional properties that far surpass their conventional analogs. While experimental discoveries abound, efforts to characterize the true magnitude of the configurational entropy and understand its role in stabilizing new phases and generating superior functional properties have lagged behind. Understanding the role of configurational disorder in existing HEOs is the crucial link to unlocking the rational design of new HEOs with targeted properties. In this talk, I will discuss our group’s efforts to establish a framework for articulating and beginning to address these questions towards achieving a complete understanding of the true role of entropy in HEOs.

Bio: Alannah Hallas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UBC, a Principal Investigator at the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, and a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar in Quantum Materials. Alannah’s research program is focused on the design, discovery, and crystal growth of new quantum materials, leveraging a wide range of advanced crystal growth techniques. Her group characterizes the quantum magnetic properties of their materials using x-ray and neutron scattering as well as muon spin relaxation techniques.