On the hunt for new materials

Peter S. Riseborough, a professor of theoretical physics at Temple University in Philadelphia, USA, was awarded the 2008 Onsager Prize and an honorary Onsager professorship at NTNU. Professor Riseborough was honoured because of his exceptional work with the effect of strong mutual electrostatic interations between electrons, which can give non-magnetic metals lasting magnetic fields.

He has participated in the NTNU group as a researcher on the rare earth species cerium and holmium, which are found at the boundary between magnetism and non-magnetism. The group examines whether earth species react to very small external effects of magnetism or electricity. This is interesting for researchers who are hunting for new materials with hitherto unknown properties, particularly for possible applications in information technology and nanotechnology.