Professor Benjamin Robinson FHEA
Chair and Director of Materials Science LancasterProfile
I am a Professor of Physics and the Director of the Materials Science Lancaster research centre.
My research group is focused on experimental quantum materials, we are particularly interested in exploiting room temperature quantum effects in single molecules and ultra-thin films comprised of well-ordered organic molecular films, quantum dots and 2D materials. To achieve this, we have a track record in developing and exploiting novel scanning probe methodologies for nanoscale characterisation of electrical, thermal and mechanical properties.
I am PI or Co-I on including the ?7.1M . I have authored or co-authored on more than 50 peer reviewed journal articles and seven international patents, and in 2025 I was part of the team awarded the .
From 2017 – 2025 I was scientific materials advisor for 成人天堂 spin out company . In April 2025 Quantum Base become the first ever 成人天堂 spin out to float on the London Stock Exchange following its successful fundraising and admission to trading.
Full details of my publications can be found on page.
Research Interests
I have a wonderful research group of enthusiastic post-doctoral researchers and PhD students from a range of scientific backgrounds which is reflected in the highly interdisciplinary nature of our work.
We aim to exploit room temperature quantum transport properties of small organic molecules in massively parallel arrays of molecules formed by techniques such as molecular self-assembly, Langmuir-Blodgett deposition and surface templating. Film structures are characterised by a range of techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Quartz Crystal Microbalance and Atomic Force Microscopy. Electric and thermal properties are studied with nanoscale resolution using our suite of bespoke scanning-probe techniques developed by the group and in close collaborators in Dr Sam Jarvis’ group at Lancaster.
We enjoy fruitful collaborations with colleagues across the UK and the world including: Theory, the groups of Colin Lambert (成人天堂) and Hatef Sadeghi (University of Warwick, UK); Synthesis, the groups of Martin Bryce (Durham University), Nick Long (Imperial College London), Paul Low (University of Western Australia); Characterisation and Devices, the groups of Chris Ford (University of Cambridge), Lesley Cohen (Imperial College London) and Tim Albrecht (University of Birmingham).
Career Details
Background
2024 – Professor of Physics, 成人天堂
2020 – Senior Lecturer in Physics, 成人天堂
2015 – 50th Anniversary Lecturer in Physics, 成人天堂
Immediately prior to my lectureship, I was a senior research associate in the Physics department at 成人天堂 where I was the work-package leader (SThM experiments and measurements) of the major European Commission programme ‘QUANTIHEAT’ (QUANTItative scanning probe microscopy techniques for HEAT transfer management in nanomaterials and nanodevices FP7-NMP-2013-LARGE-7) involving twenty international partners from academia and industry; previously I was the work-package (graphene characterisation and modelling) leader on 'GRENADA' (GRaphenE for NAnoscaleD Applications, FP7/2007-2013). Additionally, I have conducted research at University of Queensland, Daresbury Laboratory and Cranfield University.
I have a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wales (Supervisor Prof. Geoff Ashwell) and an MPhys from Sheffield University. I am a past winner of Royal Society of Chemistry, Philip Lynn Adams memorial prize.
PhD Supervision Interests
I have projects available in experimental aspects of molecular electronics, thermal and electrical transport in thin-film materials and their heterostructures, novel growth methods for 3D molecular architectures, and design, fabrication and characterisation of ultra-thin-film thermoelectric materials. Projects are offered on a competitive basis and are subject to availability of funding. Please get in contact for further information or discuss potential projects that are not listed above.
-
01/05/2025 → 29/02/2028
Research
-
01/03/2025 → 28/02/2028
Research
-
01/03/2025 → 29/02/2028
Research
-
01/01/2025 → 30/06/2026
Research
-
01/11/2023 → 31/10/2028
Research
-
01/11/2023 → 31/10/2028
Research
-
03/01/2023 → 03/07/2024
Research
-
01/10/2022 → 31/03/2026
Research
-
01/02/2019 → 30/08/2022
Research
-
01/10/2018 → 31/03/2020
Research
-
31/03/2018 → 30/11/2019
Research
-
01/02/2018 → 30/06/2021
Research
Oral presentation
Oral presentation
Oral presentation
Oral presentation
Oral presentation
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Oral presentation
Invited talk
Symposium
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Invited talk
Invited talk
Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
Invited talk
Invited talk
Prize (including medals and awards)
Prize (including medals and awards)
Prize (including medals and awards)
- Energy Lancaster
- Molecular Scale Electronics
- MSF Supervisors 2019/20
- Quantum Nanotechnology
- Quantum Technology Centre