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Emyr Macdonald

Professor Emyr Macdonald

Condensed Matter and Photonics Group

School of Physics and Astronomy

Email
Macdonald@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 76766
Campuses
Queen's Buildings - West Building Extension, Room WX/3.08, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
cymraeg
Welsh speaking

Overview

During my research career I have published about120 refereed papers.  For most of this time I focussed on developing applications of diffraction techniques to solve timely challenging problems relating to the atomic structure of solids, thin films and surfaces.  Much of this work is performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Source at Grenoble and the Diamond Light Source near Oxford.

During the last decade, my research fields have expanded to include aspects of molecular nanoscience.  Our group has performed nanoscale electrical measurements on single protein molecules, nanotubes and thin molecular films.  These fundamental scientific issues are important in new miniaturised biosensors and underpin future molecular nanotechnology.

In addition to research, I have played an active part in teaching and administration within the department, as listed in the career statement.  I have taught a wide range of courses/modules over each of years 0-4 as well as at postgraduate level. Current teaching responsibilities are listed under the appropriate tab.

Roles currently held within the School of Physics and Astronomy include:

  • Radiation Protection Officer

Publication

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Articles

Book sections

Conferences

  • Zeng, X. B., Liu, F., Xie, F., Ungar, G., Tschierske, C. and Macdonald, J. E. 2008. Small angle X-ray and neutron scattering in the study of polymers and supramolecular systems. Presented at: International Conference on Neutron and X-Ray Scattering, Serpong and Bandung, Indonesia, 23-31 July 2007 Presented at Ikram, A. ed.Neutron and X-Ray Scattering in Materials Science and Biology. AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 989. Melville, NY: American Institute of Physics pp. 68., (10.1063/1.2906097)
  • MacDonald, J. E., Williams, A. A., Thornton, J. M. C., Vansilfhout, R. G., Vanderveen, J. F., Finney, M. S. and Norris, C. 1991. Grazing-incidence x-ray-diffraction studies of strain relaxation in monolayer-thick films. Presented at: 7th Conference on Microscopy of Semiconducting Materials, Oxford, UK, 25-28 March 1991 Presented at Cullis, A. G. and Long, N. J. eds.Microscopy of semiconducting materials 1991: Conference Papers, Vol. 117. Institute of Physics Conference Series London: Institute of Physics pp. 645-650.
  • MacDonald, J. E., Norris, C., Vlieg, E., van der Gon, A. D. and van der Veen, J. F. 1988. Epitaxial Growth Studied by Surface X-Ray Diffraction. Presented at: 2nd International Conference on the Structure of Surfaces (ICSOS II), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 22–25 June 1987 Presented at van der Veen, J. F. and Van Hove, M. A. eds.Epitaxial Growth Studied by Surface X-Ray Diffraction:The Structure of Surfaces II. Springer Series in Surface Sciences Vol. 11. Berlin, Germany: Springer Berlin Heidelberg pp. 438-442., (10.1007/978-3-642-73343-7_72)
  • Osborn, R., Andersen, N., Clausen, K. N., Hackett, M., Hayes, W., Hutchings, M. and MacDonald, J. E. 1986. Neutron scattering investigation of the defect structure of Y2O3 - stabilised ZrO2 and its dynamical behaviour at high temperatures. Presented at: Kinetics and Mass Transport in Silicate and Oxide Systems, London, UK, September 1984 Presented at Freer, R. and Dennis, P. F. eds.Kinetics and Mass Transport in Silicate and Oxide Systems: Proceedings of an International Symposium, London, 1984 (Materials Science Forum). Material science forum Vol. 7. London, UK: Trans Tech Publications pp. 55-62.
  • Andersen, N. A., Clausen, K. N., Hackett, M. A., Hayes, W., Hutchings, M. T., MacDonald, J. E. and Osborn, R. 1985. Coherent neutron scattering investigation of the defect structure of yttria-stabilised zirconia. Presented at: Transport-structure relations in fast ion and mixed conductors : 6th Risø International Symposium on Metallurgy and Materials Science, Risø, Denmark, 9-13 September 1985Transport-structure relations in fast ion and mixed conductors : proceedings of the 6th Risø International Symposium on Metallurgy and Materials Science, 9-13 September 1985. Roskilde, Denmark: Risø National Laboratory pp. 279-284.

Research

Research interests

My current research interests involve both electronic and structural aspects of conducting molecular systems. We employ scanning probe techniques to probe electrical conduction in single molecules. In particular, a close collaboration with Martin Elliott (Physics and Astronomy) and Dafydd D Jones (School of Bioscience) has pioneered conduction measurements through single protein molecules chemically bonded to both meatal surface and tip. Synchrotron-based grazing incidence diffraction is also used to probe the structure of organic conducting films, particularly polymer-fullerene blends for organic photovoltaic cells.

Supervision

My current research interests involve both electronic and structural aspects of conducting molecular systems. We employ scanning probe techniques to probe electrical conduction in single molecules. In particular, a close collaboration with Martin Elliott (Physics and Astronomy) and Dafydd D Jones (School of Bioscience) has pioneered conduction measurements through single protein molecules chemically bonded to both meatal surface and tip. Synchrotron-based grazing incidence diffraction is also used to probe the structure of organic conducting films, particularly polymer-fullerene blends for organic photovoltaic cells.

Teaching

Currently, I am module organiser for:
PX2231 Thermal and Statistical Physics (double module)
PX4119 Large Molecules and Life
I hold weekly first- and second-year tutorials.

I also supervise several 3rd and 4th year project students taking:
PX3315 - Physics Project
PX4310 - Project

Recently taught modules include:
PX2221 Physics Applied
PX2223 Physics of Solids and Soft Matter
PX3109 Solid State Physics

Biography

Education and Qualifications

  • 1984:  DPhil (Physics), University of Oxford
  • 1980:  B.Sc. Physics, Cardiff University (then University College Cardiff)

Career Overview

  • 2015 - present:  Professor at Cardiff University
  • 2004-2015:  Reader at Cardiff University
  • 1988-2004:  Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University
  • 1986-1988:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Wales Cardiff
  • 1984-1986:  Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Bath

Professional memberships

Member of the Institute of Physics