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Lay Summary

The movement of electric charge dictates much of our lives. The control of electronic charge is remarkably useful, underpinning many consequential technologies: electric motors, solar panels, artificial photosynthesis, processors and memory storage. My research seeks to extend our fundamental knowledge of the behaviour of charge in complex systems and develop indispensable tools for wide-ranging studies in dynamic materials. My research will be key to advancing a host of technological developments for next-generation optoelectronic and bioelectronic devices.

I work at the intersection of physics, material science and biology. My current independent research position allows me to bridge new groups and areas of physics, chemistry and material science at the world's premier lab combining these fields.

Selected Research and Publications


For a complete list of scientific published work, please feel free to use my Google Scholar.

Vision

Incredible progress has been made elucidating charge transport phenomena in ordered materials. The future holds the prospect of applying this knowledge to complex systems, such as the next generation of photovoltaics, photosynthesis and higher order life. The central impediment to this is that these systems are disordered and characterised by interactions between ionic and electronic charge. My research seeks to extend our fundamental knowledge of the behaviour of charge and light in complex systems and develop indispensable tools for wide-ranging applications in human physiology, biology and energy capture.

Human Electrophysiology


Conduction may arise from net interactions between ions and electrons in a broad class of materials known as mixed electronic ionic conductors (MEIC). As charges move, they may alter the electrochemical potential generated at the surface of a material, which can be measured using a non-contact capacitor-like device. However, understanding these measurements requires a marked departure from established theories. To address this need, I developed a generalised conceptual framework of KP measurements on MEICs. Interestingly, human skin may also be understood as an MEIC. Electrical measurements of skin have long been proposed to characterise human physiology; however, these measurements suffer specific confounders. Whenever a current is passed through an electrode-skin contact, issues of skin moisture, contact impedance (understood as unpredictable accumulation of ions near the electrode), the choice of contact medium, and pressure/contact variability become significant. This limits studies to AC frequencies within the body, such as the heart beat (ECG) or brainwaves (EEG).

Yet frequencies close to DC seem very important; a simple DC voltage applied to a worm results in the formation of two fully functional heads. Investigating the charge dynamics underpinning the phyisological origin of DC potentials in human physiology remains a rich, unexplored field. My research neasures potentials without contacting the skin directly overcomes these confounders, unveiling the near DC regime in human electrophysiology.

Solar Cells & Photosynthesis


The vast potential of sunlight, the most abundant energy source available, positions solar energy as a cornerstone of our future energy infrastructure. Solar energy plays a decisive role in the Earth's net primary production by driving high-energy chemical transformations that would otherwise proceed at negligible rates. The challenge lies not only in harvesting photons but also in effectively directing and utilizing this energy to drive photochemical reactions or produce solar fuels. Achieving this requires a deep understanding of how to optimize both photon capture at reactive sites and the subsequent transfer of excitation energy. This knowledge could lead to the development of molecular 'circuits' capable of sophisticated energy management, directing, sorting, and responding to excitation energy in ways that vastly improve the efficiency of solar technologies.

Drawing inspiration from nature, particularly the process of photosynthesis, provides valuable insights into the design principles for light-harvesting systems. In photosynthesis, light harvesting is crucial for capturing solar energy and funneling it to reaction centers, a process that unfolds on the ultrafast timescale of 10 to 100 picoseconds. Nature's light-harvesting complexes, composed of networks of light-absorbing molecules known as chromophores, efficiently capture and transfer energy through electronic excitation. This process, where energy is fleetingly stored by molecules in excited states, allows for rapid and efficient energy transfer within these chromophore networks to a target site. The subtle structural differences in these antenna systems can mean the difference between optimized energy trapping and inefficient energy loss through quenching or excitation traps.

The parallels between photosynthesis and solar cells are profound. Just as plants have evolved highly efficient systems for capturing and utilizing sunlight, our challenge is to replicate this in human-engineered systems. The potential rewards are enormous. By designing solar cells and molecular circuits that mimic or improve upon natural processes, we can dramatically enhance the capture and use of solar energy. This could lead to solar fuels, more efficient solar cells, and ultimately, a more sustainable and equitable energy landscape. The promise of harnessing sunlight more effectively is not just a technological goal; it represents a fundamental shift towards a more resilient future.

The Science and Language of Measurement.


We currently possess languages that allow us to engage with computational concepts and mathematical constructs without delving into the intricate mechanisms that underpin them. Consider higher-level computational languages: when we invoke a function for integration or add an item to a list, we are interacting with abstracted systems that conceal the complexity beneath. Yet, when we shift to experimental work, we often find ourselves starting from ground zero, grappling with challenges that should be straightforward. For instance, amplifying a signal or controlling temperature, despite the well-established principles like lock-in or PID control, can become unexpectedly daunting.

This is where the opportunity lies: if we could develop not just functions, but an experimental language that seamlessly integrates methods and empowers researchers to achieve their experimental goals, we could unlock significant advancements. Imagine having standardized approaches that, while adaptable to specific requirements, allow us to achieve 80%, 90%, or even 99% of our objectives using out-of-the-box solutions. This would free us from the constant need to consult textbooks or navigate the ambiguities often found in scientific literature, accelerating progress and innovation.

To validate this ambitious concept, our initial endeavor will focus on developing an open-source spectrometer package, poised to revolutionize the realms of the Internet of Things and laboratory automation. By leveraging the synergy between affordable microcontrollers equipped with high-speed internal clocks and cost-effective silicon sensor technologies, we aim to deliver a transformative, open-source solution to an innovation community long constrained by the prohibitive costs of quality spectrometry. Traditionally, spectrometers grow in size and complexity as resolution and signal-to-noise requirements increase. While CMOS technologies serve certain needs, CCD technologies—particularly back-thinned CCDs—offer superior dynamic range, noise performance, and spectral characteristics. These advanced sensors, second in sensitivity only to expensive EMCCDs, have undergone significant cost reductions and are now widely accessible.

Our approach harnesses the power of these back-thinned CCDs, with cheap microcontroller system clocks now capable of reading out data at speeds rivaling state-of-the-art commercial systems. The architecture we propose is not only set to redefine the trade-offs traditionally associated with fast, accurate spectrometry but also lays the groundwork for an experiment-linked computational language. This language will enable seamless integration of methodologies, accelerating innovation and making advanced spectrometric analysis accessible to a broader spectrum of researchers and technologists.



Some Logarithmic Plots



A plot of all things in the Universe and where my research fits in.

Timeline and Timescales of Research

Contact details

Building 13-3057, MIT, 02139, USA

Solve the following for my email address. Let \(\phi \) be the golden ratio, i.e. \(\phi = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2} \). Then let \(x = \phi^{2}-\phi \). My email is then tb\(x\)@mit.edu

Solve the following for my British phone number. Let \( y =(0!+0!+0!)! \) and \(z = 2!\), where \( ! \) is the factorial operator. My number is then 07900\(zyy\)808

My Ameriocan number is then (6\(x\)7)-\(308\)-5\(y\)5\(y\)

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