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Newsletter - April 28, 2022

Dear MARVEL'ers,

Please find below our latest newsletter, with news and events linked to the MARVEL community.  

This month, read about a study of AV3Sb5 kagome metals which provides important insights into the material’s electronic structure and provides a basis for understanding correlation phenomena. Learn about a novel approach for predicting the optical read-out of a qubit from first principles. Read too about a new open platform for managing the vast amounts of diverse data produced in chemical research.

The second phase of MARVEL is concluding at the end of this month and MARVEL is having its closing event this April 28 for a proper sendoff. The third phase will be formally kickstarted by PIs the following day. 

Note too the extensive event program involving prominent experts in the fields covered by MARVEL. In the next few weeks, you can for example attend a CECAM-MARVEL Mary Ann Mansigh conversation featuring Erich Wimmer and a MARVEL Distinguished Lecture by Alán Aspuru-Guzik.

Finally, the Psi-k 2022 conference, the largest conference worldwide in first-principles simulations is happening this August at EPFL — and registration is open!

Research highlights

Electronic structure study of AV3Sb5 kagome metals bolsters understanding of correlated phenomena

The recently discovered layered kagome metals AV3Sb5 (A=K, Rb, Cs) exhibit diverse correlated phenomena, thought to be linked to so-called Van Hove singularities (VHSs) in the material. Using a combination of polarization-dependent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density-functional theory, researchers led by NCCR MARVEL’s Professor Ming Shi at the Paul Scherrer Institute directly revealed the sublattice properties of 3d-orbital VHSs in CsV3Sb5. The research reveals important insights into the material’s electronic structure and provides a basis for understanding correlation phenomena in the metals.

Scientists propose open platform for managing data from chemical research

EPFL scientists including NCCR MARVEL's deputy director Berend Smit have proposed an open platform for managing the vast amounts of diverse data produced in chemical research. They presented their vision in a paper recently published in Nature Chemistry. The article below was written by EPFL journalist Nik Papageorgiou. 

Predicting the optical read-out of a qubit from first principles

Phonon-assisted luminescence is a key property of defect centers in semiconductors. It can be measured to perform the readout of the information stored in a quantum bit or used to detect temperature variations. The investigation of phonon-assisted luminescence is now generally carried out through models that incorporate restrictive assumptions and so fail to be predictive. The paper “Phonon-assisted luminescence in defect centers from many-body perturbation theory,” recently published in Physical Review Letters by researchers led by NCCR MARVEL’s Prof. Nicola Marzari and PhD student Francesco Libbi of EPFL’s Theory and Simulation of Materials laboratory, outlines a novel approach to predicting luminescence and studying exciton-phonon couplings with a many-body perturbation theory framework, an analysis that has never been performed for defect centers.

Read MARVEL Highlights here.

MARVEL ending phase 2 and moving into phase 3

MARVEL phase 2 closing event

Apr 28, 2022, from 9:00 until 18:00, SwissTech Convention Center, EPFL

The phase 2 of MARVEL is coming to a close, officially at the end of April. In order to give a proper conclusion to this phase and celebrate the achievements of all groups — and especially since we had to resort to virtual meetings since 2020! —  MARVEL members and all interested, are invited to the in-person MARVEL phase 2 closing event on Thursday April 28, 2022 at the SwissTech Convention Center, EPFL.

MARVEL phase 3 kickoff event

Apr 29, 2022, from 9:00 until 14:00, CECAM headquarters at EPFL

With phase 3 officially starting this coming May, MARVEL phase 3 PIs are invited to the MARVEL phase 3 kickoff event on Friday April 29, 2022 (morning + lunch), at the CECAM headquarters at EPFL.

MARVEL and high school students

MARVEL PhD students present research, encourage students at high school in Thun

NCCR MARVEL PhD students Jigyasa Nigam and Miriam Pougin were among the young researchers taking part in the "Thematic day for high school students" organized by EPFL's Education Outreach Department on April 7 at the gymnasium in Thun. The event, whose theme was "Destination Innovation," gathered more than twenty researchers from the EPFL community. Speaking on topics from cryptography to space exploration and using supercomputers to design the materials of the future, they set out to enhance the visibility of EPFL study programs and communicate the range of opportunities open to students across Switzerland. 

2022 Summer camp for high-school students

Jun 27, 2022, 9:00 until Jul 01, 2022, 17:00, EPFL, Lausanne

The 1-week camp entitled Des atomes aux ordinateurs, à la découverte de la programmation scientifique  is open to teenagers in the last two years of high-school, with no high-level in maths or physics prerequisite. A prior knowledge of the basics of programming is recommended. It is possible to acquire these notions independently if necessary (within 3-4 hours). Half of the seats are reserved for young women.

For the younger generation

Mathematics workshops Maths en jeu for girls and boys at EPFL

Registrations for the 2022-2023 edition of the mathematics workshops Maths en jeu open on 2 May 2022. These workshops are taking place at EPFL and target girls and boys 8 to 15 years old. They are part of the equal opportunities actions of the EPFL Science outreach department supported by MARVEL.

Upcoming MARVEL Distinguished Lecture

MARVEL Distinguished Lecture — Alán Aspuru-Guzik

May 31, 2022, from 16:00 until 17:15, Zoom

The 31st NCCR MARVEL Distinguished Lecture will be given by Prof. Alán Aspuru-Guzik, professor of chemistry and computer science at the University of Toronto, and entitled: "There is no time for science as usual: Materials Acceleration Platforms".

CECAM-MARVEL Mary Ann Mansigh conversation series

CECAM-MARVEL Mary Ann Mansigh series: Erich Wimmer

May 05, 2022, from 15:00 until 17:00, BCH2103, EPFL (registration required) + online

CECAM and MARVEL present the third installment of our Mary Ann Mansigh Conversation series and invite you to meet Erich Wimmer who will be addressing the fascination and industrial value of materials modeling.

Workshop: register by April 30

First-Principles Modelling of Defects in Solids - Workshop

Jun 13, 2022, 9:30 until Jun 15, 2022, 17:45, ETHZ

The workshop will take place June 13-15, 2022 at ETH in Zurich. Apart from scientific concerns, the event aims to address environmental issues as well, and the utmost will be done to mitigate the impact of the workshop on the environment.

Follow MARVEL events calendar

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Register now to the Psi-k 2022 conference!

Psi-k conference

Aug 22, 2022, 14:00 until Aug 25, 2022, 18:00, SwissTech Convention Center, EPFL

Psi-k 2022 is the 6th general conference for the worldwide Psi-k community. Typically held every 5 years, this event is the largest worldwide in first-principles simulations. With more than 1000 participants attending the past 2010 and 2015 editions, it promises to be the most exciting, defining event in the field, offering an intense but enjoyable atmosphere, in addition to a chance to explore the beautiful region around Lausanne and Lake Geneva.  

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