Pico-Photonic Forces at the Atomic Scale

The key aim of this project is to understand and utilise optically-produced forces on the atomic scale through pico-photonics, in order to devise future nano-mechanisms and nano-machines. Key goals are to move individual metal atoms by light, twist and compress and flip individual molecules on demand, and provide a step-change in the comprehension of how ions, solvent, molecules and electrons interact at interfaces, which is critical in catalysis, molecular electronics, electrochemistry, and nano-assembly.