Designing Emergent Matter: How Physicists Think About New Materials

David Mandrus
University of Tennessee—Knoxville

Abstract

Although new materials are the engine that drives much of condensed matter physics, the conceptual process by which new materials are discovered is rarely discussed.  In this talk I will try to remedy this situation, and will discuss strategies for finding new materials that challenge our physical understanding.  I will also discuss the role of theory in this process, stressing that new materials can be regarded as a playground for testing new theoretical ideas.  Several examples will be discussed.