Current Research Projects:   

This work includes studies of the magnetic behavior of iron alumindes, for example magnetic features of Fe2VAl. Recent work has focused on the unusual low-temperature properties of the spin-glass FeAl2.  Currently we are studying this and a number of related materials, such as Fe4Al13 and Fe2Al5. These materials have a wide variety of magnetic properties, and are closely related to the quasicrystals.  We are also studying the magnetic behavior of a family of related rare-earth intermatallic materials including NdNiPb and Nd2Ni2Pb.  We use NMR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, Mossbauer specroscopy, and other methods in this work.
These materials feature fullerene-type cages encapsulating rare earth and alkaline earth ions.  The encapsulated ions can be loosely held within the cages, leading to glass-like phonon properties.  We are using NMR spectroscopy to study the slow-motion behavior of these encapsulated ions. We are also looking at new magnetic materials, particularly those based on transition-metal substitution on the framework. The open crystal geometry can lead to exaggerated magnetic and superconducting behavior, and our interest includes looking for new, interesting materials based on this system. See the clathrate page for more information.