The researcher aims to develop new ferro- and piezoelectric materials based on metal-organic frameworks. Metal-organic frameworks are crystalline materials that constitute a huge playing ground for materials’ scientists as there is almost unlimited choice in the organic and metal-containing building blocks that build up the nanoporous 3-D framework in a Lego-like fashion. A very large variability in chemical functionalities can hence be achieved.  We specifically build in polar units into the frameworks, that can “turned around” by use of an electric field. Via the electrical field we can hence change the polarity of the material, and as we can assign a (1) bit and a (0) bit to either polar state, they can be used as memories. More specifically they would be called ferroelectric memories. The electric field then acts as a door handle controlling the framework.

These polar materials, can moreover convert vibrational energy (caused by mechanical movement, e.g. walking over the material) into electrical energy. Hence, they can be used as an energy source for all kind of devices, making the use (and regular replacement) of batteries unnecessary. Such materials would be relevant as memories and energy sources for wireless devices in the Internet of Things. With regard to energy, this is very relevant for devices who are placed in dark environments, (otherwise a miniature solar cell could be used).