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Details for Professor Neil Allan

Personal details
Name Professor Neil Allan
Job title Professor of Physical Chemistry
Department School of Chemistry University of Bristol
Contact details This expert can be contacted via the University of Bristol Public Relations Office.

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work+44 (0)117 331 8092
email:
Qualifications M.A., D.Phil.(Oxon.), C.Chem.
Professional details
Keywords solids
surfaces
properties at the atomic level
atomistic simulation
quantum chemistry
inorganic materials
non-metallic solids
Areas of expertise We use advanced simulation and modelling techniques to understand the properties of solids and surfaces at the atomic level. Historically most attention in chemistry has been paid to molecules, but it is now clear that ideas from atomistic simulation and ab initio quantum chemistry are capable of providing major insights into materials chemistry. Chemical ideas are proving highly valuable in many areas usually associated solely with condensed matter physics.

Our primary interest is in inorganic materials and in particular non-metallic solids, e.g. metal oxides, halides, sulphides. We study many aspects of these fascinating systems which are still not understood after at least half a century of hard work. These include the lattice, defect, electronic, magnetic and surface properties. The theoretical methods include lattice statics and dynamics, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics and ab initio techniques.