PHD: Padraig Maderson

Utrecht University

Email: p.maderson@uu.nl

Student of pillar 4

Short Biography

I am a PhD, since February 1st 2024, in the group of Machteld E. Kamminga at Condensed Matter and Interfaces (CMI) of Utrecht University. Here we study magnetic materials focusing on rare-earth magnets that harbour magnetic frustration. The magnetism of these materials is often difficult to theoretically predict. Our aim is contribute to the field experimentally by observing magnetic behaviour via neutron scattering. To diverge from others in this field we try to synthesis our own materials AND take them along the general chain of analysis from X-Ray Diffraction -> Superconducting Quantum Interference Device -> Neutron Scattering. This, nicely blending the boundaries between physics and chemistry.

I received my BSc in chemistry from University College Cork in Ireland in 2018, working on Sn:In2O3 thin film deposition and optical/electronic characterization at Tyndall National Institute. Then I worked in analytical chemistry at a number of laboratories in Ireland and Canada before realising the error of my ways and obtaining a MSc in nanomaterials science from Utrecht University focusing on colloidal synthesis of Bi2Se3 in the group of Daniel Vanmaekelbergh, also CMI. As part of the masters I spent six months in Groningen with the Nanostructures of Functional Oxides (NFO) group beginning my dive into magnetic material characterisation.

In my spare time I enjoy making music and amateur electronic devices with the help of the Arduino.