José J. Baldoví (Institute for Molecular Science, ICMol, Universitat de València) has obtained an ERC Starting Grant 2021. During his project 2D-SMARTiES (Chemical Design Of Smart Molecular/2D Devices For Information Technologies) he will develop a general computational methodology to create new materials formed by smart molecules on magnetic surfaces.

José J. Baldoví is a distinguished researcher with international experience at the Institute for Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of València (UV), where he currently leads the research line on chemical design and modelling of hybrid heterostructures based on magnetic molecules and 2D materials. He studied Chemistry at UV and carried out his final year research project at Cambridge University (UK), where he started his research activity. He then joined the group of Eugenio Coronado, Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and director of ICMol, for his MSc and PhD in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. His doctoral thesis explored the rational design of molecular nanomagnets with applications in nanoscience, molecular spintronics and quantum technologies and achieved the highest score of all the PhD theses in Chemistry at the UV in 2016. In 2017, Baldoví moved to Ángel Rubio’s research group at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg, Germany, after being awarded a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship by the European Commission. This postdoctoral experience expanded his research interests to the theoretical simulation of 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures, allowing him to design novel multifunctional materials. In January 2020 Baldoví moved back to ICMol after being awarded a CDEIGENT excellence contract thanks to the Generalitat Valenciana talent attraction program (Plan Gen-T).

Since 2012, José J. Baldoví has co-authored of more than 50 scientific articles in international scientific journals and a book chapter, being the first author in more than half of them. His works have attracted more than 2,300 citations so far. He has given 14 invited lectures at international conferences and currently supervises three PhD theses as well as a final-year MSc project. Baldoví holds a Master in Science Communication that allows him to transfer the value of science to society through popular science articles and events.

Which are the main objectives of 2D-SMARTiES?

The mission of 2D-SMARTiES is to open a new field of research: Molecular 2D Magnonics. In particular, we aim to develop a general computational methodology as a driving force to create new materials. These materials are formed by smart molecules, that can interact with external stimuli such as light, deposited on the surface of a 2D magnetic system for applications in magnon spintronics, also called magnonics. We will provide: (1) a more profound understanding of the hybridization of molecular orbitals on magnetic surfaces, as well as the effect of these hybridized states on the spin dynamics of 2D magnets; (2) a software package to model magnon dynamics in hybrid materials; (3) a deep analysis of strain-magnon coupling effects due to the thermal or light-induced spin switching in spin-crossover systems deposited on 2D materials; (4) an efficient quantum transport code accounting for spin-orbit torque effects to understand the enhancement of properties in the 2D material when interfaced with a topological insulator; and (5) the creation of novel devices as a proof of concept.

Why did you decide to carry out your research at the University of València?

The University of València (UVEG) is a well-established university ranking the 3rd best university in Spain and the 1st in the Valencian Community, and among the best 90 universities in Europe. UVEG also ranks third among Spanish universities in indexed scientific production. According to the ISI Essential Sciences Indicators data, UVEG is ranked in Chemistry among the 50 best Universities on a world scale.

Such a remarkable position has been possible thanks to the work developed at the Institute for Molecular Science (ICMol), which has produced more than the 90% of the highly cited papers in Chemistry and Materials Science of the UVEG. The research of ICMol is focused on molecular nanoscience and spans from the chemical design and study of new functional materials using a molecular approach, to the processing of these materials and the fabrication of molecular-based electronic devices. ICMol is a research centre located at the Scientific Park of the University of Valencia. With a surface of nearly 4000 m2 and a staff of 300 researchers, it gathers the most advanced equipment for the synthesis and characterization of materials and molecular devices, which will be key to developing the best candidate materials driven by the results of 2D-SMARTiES. The ICMol has been awarded for the second time the recognition from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation the seal of Unit of Excellence “María de Maeztu” (2020-2023). Moreover, it hosts the Scientific Unit for Enterprise Innovation awarded by the Valencian Regional Government. Another indicator of its excellence in science is the number of granted ERC projects, 12 in total, 8 of them active at the moment. The ICMol is experienced in offering administrative and technical support to the researchers through its own staff. Besides, the ICMol develops its own Master (MSc) and PhD programs in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

How do you expect this grant will affect your professional career?

Consolidating funding with an ERC-StG will allow me to accomplish my aim of establishing an internationally recognized team to perform cutting-edge theoretical and computational research at the interface between molecular nanoscience, solid-state physics and nanomagnetism in Europe. This will enhance visibility at all levels and will further develop my coaching and mentoring skills, especially team-building and adaptability, as well as project direction and leadership.

Are you planning to open research positions at your group?

Within 2D-SMARTiES we will hire three postdoctoral researchers and three PhD candidates, building a very stimulating and rigorous research environment, in which a good work-life balance and outreach activities will be promoted. The training through-research nature of the project will constitute an excellent opportunity for the formation of young researchers in the frontiers of emerging scientific fields. Finally, as I am aware that the project lies in areas with a low representation of female researchers, I will aim, to the extent possible, to enhance gender equality at all levels (e.g. strongly encouraging applications from women).

I am interested in highly motivated researchers with complementary backgrounds in solid-state physics and quantum chemistry with a particular emphasis on magnetism. The team will integrate a code developer of the main software that we will develop during the project, an expert in theoretical magnetism and, in particular, spin dynamics, and another expert in quantum chemistry with a focus on spin-crossover molecules.

Are you planning any collaborations?

The project will include collaborations with experimental groups at ICMol and TU Dortmund (Prof Mirko Cinchetti), which have cutting-edge expertise in the preparation and characterization of the kind of materials investigated in the project. This will ensure invaluable empirical feedback to improve our design rules. From the theoretical side, we have planned collaborations with Dr Riku Tuovinen from the University of Helsinki, regarding the development of a quantum transport code to deal with the target nanomaterials.

Where can we learn more about you and your project?

Twitter: @jjbaldovi

Email: j.jaime.baldovi@uv.es

Selected publications

Quantum coherent spin–electric control in a molecular nanomagnet at clock transitions, Liu et al., Nature Physics, 17(11), 1205-1209 (2021)

Out-of-plane transport of 1T-TaS2/graphene-based van der Waals heterostructures, Boix-Constant et al., ACS Nano, 15(7), 11898-11907 (2021).

During the following weeks, we will be presenting those researchers working at Spanish institutions that have obtained an ERC Starting or Consolidator Grant 2021 and their projects. You can check their profiles HERE.