Molecular Ferroelectric Materials for Multimodal Energy Harvesting
Our research centers on the design and development of molecular ferroelectrics, together with their associated piezoelectric and pyroelectric responses, which enable strong coupling between electrical polarization and external stimuli such as electric fields, mechanical stress, and temperature. We focus on non-centrosymmetric coordination complexes exhibiting switchable polarization and robust electromechanical behavior near room temperature, offering key advantages including low toxicity, structural flexibility, and high chemical tunability. In ferroelectric materials, we study polarization switching and domain dynamics to achieve stable, low-field, and repeatable performance. These systems act as versatile transducers capable of interconverting electrical, mechanical, and thermal energy.
PIEZOELECTRIC
Our work further explores piezoelectric energy harvesting, where mechanical inputs such as pressure, strain, and vibrations are converted into electrical signals using molecular crystals and flexible composites. In parallel, we investigate pyroelectric responses, where temperature fluctuations generate electrical output, enabling thermal energy harvesting and infrared sensing.We also examine acousto-electric effects, where acoustic or vibrational stimuli produce electrical responses, expanding the functional scope of these materials.By integrating these properties into device architectures, we develop multifunctional nanogenerators and self-powered sensing platforms for applications in sustainable energy harvesting, wearable electronics, smart sensors, and next-generation IoT technologies.
PYROELECTRIC
ACOUSTOELECTRIC
Molecular Magnetoelectric Materials for Next-Generation Functional Devices
Magnetoelectric (ME) materials exhibit an intrinsic coupling between magnetic and electric properties, enabling control of electric polarization with a magnetic field and magnetization with an electric field. This unique interaction makes them highly valuable for advanced technological applications. Our work focuses on molecular ME materials, particularly coordination complexes that incorporate paramagnetic metal centers within polar, noncentrosymmetric structures. These systems can display strong ME responses, even at room temperature, making them practical for real-world use. By leveraging spin–lattice coupling and magnetostrictive effects—where magnetic fields induce lattice distortions that alter electric dipoles—we can finely tune their behavior. As a result, even very weak magnetic fields can generate detectable electric signals. Such molecular ME materials offer promising advantages, including flexibility and lightweight design, positioning them as potential candidates for next-generation devices like self-powered magnetic sensors, efficient energy harvesters, and low-power, electrically controlled spintronic components.
