A wonderful journey in magnetic molecules: from bioinorganic chemistry, to single-molecule magnets, to qubits, and beyond…
Seminari del Màster de Química de Materials Aplicada a càrrec del Prof. George Christou (University of Florida, USA)
Lloc: Sala de Graus de Física
Data i hora: 09/10/2026, 12h
Resum (anglès): My research throughout my career has involved magnetic molecules of various types, with relevance to different areas from the {Mn4Ca} oxygen-evolving complex of photosynthesis, to 3d and 3d/4f single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and qubits, to supramolecular assemblies relevant to new 21st-century technologies, and beyond. The fascinating magnetic and quantum properties these have involved have been extremely stimulating. In recent years, we have continued working in multiple areas of magnetic molecules, such as covalent-linkage of 3d and/or 4f metal ions within air-stable molecules that are structurally rigid and robust, as a route to multi-qubit systems that can be studied as crystals, frozen solutions, or supported on surfaces, without significant perturbation of their structure or magnetic properties. In addition, we have sought new types of SMMs related to magnetic metal and mixed-metal oxides and even investigated some water oxidation catalysis and anti-cancer studies. This presentation shall describe the current status of some of this work.
Nota biogràfica: George Christou va néixer a Xipre, es va criar a Londres (Anglaterra) i va obtenir els títols de grau i doctorat a la Universitat d’Exeter. Després d’una estada postdoctoral a la Universitat de Manchester (amb el Prof. David Garner) i una altra finançada per l’OTAN a les universitats de Stanford i Harvard (amb el Prof. Richard Holm), va iniciar la seva carrera independent a l’Imperial College de Londres; posteriorment es va traslladar a la Universitat d’Indiana i, al 2001, a la Universitat de Florida. La seva recerca se centra en la química sintètica i fisicoinorgànica dels metalls de transició, incloent-hi les molècules magnètiques i les propietats quàntiques, les nanopartícules moleculars i la química bioinorgànica. És un docent i organitzador de congressos molt compromès; va cofundar dos congressos internacionals i el nou congrés *Molecular Magnetism in North America* (MAGNA).
Lloc Web: https://people.clas.ufl.edu/gchristo/about/




