Research

We measure the mechanical properties of molecular semiconductors on the nanoscale.

Why does this matter? The materials behind flexible displays, wearable sensors, and printed solar cells are soft, disordered, and only nanometres thick — and how stiff or pliable they are at that scale governs how well they work and how long they last. By measuring mechanics on the molecular level, we connect a material’s physical structure to the way it carries charge and heat, which helps in designing better devices.

Techniques
We implement cutting-edge force mapping using atomic force microscopes, based on multifrequency intermodulation, higher eigenmodes, and quasi-static nanoindentation. We have visualised high-contrast elasticity at the scale of a few nanometres [see Nature Communications 13, 3076 (2022)] and resolved the elastic contribution of individual molecules within a molecular lattice [see Nature Communications 17, 1621 (2026)]. Current projects track how elasticity evolves through temperature-induced and cooperative phase transitions, at reduced dimensions, at the limits of charge conduction, and within prototype microfabricated devices.

The underlying physics
At a fundamental level, we ask how carrier mobility, conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and elasticity interlock within multifunctional molecular materials. One framework we have proposed is summarised in the schematic below.

Collaborations
I run the core program with Dr Ki-Hwan Hwang and Mr Mateo Cervantes in Cambridge, and with Prof Per Claesson in Stockholm. Strong industry ties come through our partnership with Park Systems. For the theory and calculation of molecular mechanics, I work with Prof Erin Johnson and Prof Yoann Olivier.

Beyond electronically active materials, we work closely with Prof Ljiljana Fruk and Dr Leszek J. Spalek to extend our methods to biological matter.

Since 2024, I have jointly run a program on molecular thermoelectrics with Dr Guillaume Schweicher at ULB in Belgium and Prof Kazuo Takimiya at RIKEN in Japan, seed-funded by the Wiener Anspach Foundation.

Blue-skies work
A small part of the program is exploratory. One example treats nanoscale topography topologically, applying Topological Data Analysis (TDA) and Geometric Data Analysis (GDA) to atomic force microscopy images. This work, funded in part by UNAM in Mexico, is conducted together with Prof Pablo Padilla.

Funding
The program is supported by multiple research grants from the Royal Society, for which I am deeply grateful.