Professor Marin Alexe, Ph.D. is Chair of Functional Materials in the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick (UK). He is an internationally recognised expert in the physics and engineering of complex oxide thin films, ferroelectric/multiferroic materials, and nanoscale functional phenomena with applications in nano-electronics, optoelectronics, memory devices and energy materials. (Université de Warwick)
Academic Background & Career Path
- Ph.D. in Physics (1995), Institute of Atomic Physics, Bucharest, Romania. (fizica.unibuc.ro)
- Held senior research positions at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics (Halle, Germany) for ~18 years, where he became a global leader in ferroelectric oxides research. (fizica.unibuc.ro)
- Since relocating to the University of Warwick, he has been Chair of Functional Materials and leads a major research group in oxide electronics and nanoferroic phenomena. (Université de Warwick)
Research Focus & Scientific Contributions
Professor Alexe’s work centres on functional complex oxides, particularly:
- Ferroelectricity & multiferroics: exploring nanoscale ferroelectricity, domain wall conductivity, multiferroic coupling and non-volatile memory phenomena. (Research.com)
- Thin films and heterostructures: advanced deposition (e.g., pulsed laser deposition) and characterisation of perovskite oxides for electronics and photovoltaic effects. (Université de Warwick)
- Bulk and flexo-photovoltaic effects: pioneering demonstrations that ferroelectric materials can exhibit enhanced photovoltaic responses through symmetry engineering. (Phys.org)
- Oxide domain walls and topological phenomena: structural and functional study of domain walls, skyrmions and polar nano-regions relevant for future memory and logic technologies. (Phys.org)
His research integrates materials physics, device concepts and interface phenomena to inform next-generation electronics and ferroelectric-based photovoltaics.
Publication Record, Citation Metrics & Scholarly Impact
Based on bibliometric sources:
- Publications: Professor Alexe has authored more than 320 scientific papers in high-impact journals, covering ferroelectrics, multiferroic oxides, thin films and oxide electronics. (fizica.unibuc.ro)
- Citation Impact: According to Materials Science and Physics metrics compiled by Research.com, Alexe’s work has been cited ~22,000+ times, placing him among leading scientists in mixed fields of ferroelectricity and condensed-matter physics. (Research.com)
- Hirsch Index: His h-index is reported around ~61–66, reflecting high citation impact and sustained influence across multiple decades and interdisciplinary topics in materials science and physics. (SciSpace)
This level of citation and h-index is characteristic of world-leading researchers whose work underpins fundamental and applied advances in functional materials.
Most Cited & Representative Papers
Among his most influential contributions are papers that have become benchmarks in ferroelectric and oxide research, including:
- “NANO-phase SBT-family ferroelectric memories” — Ferroelectric memory concepts with high citation counts. (Research.com)
- “Atomic-scale study of electric dipoles near charged and uncharged domain walls in ferroelectric films” — A key work on nanoscale polar phenomena. (Research.com)
- “Reversible electrical switching of spin polarization in multiferroic tunnel junctions” — Expanding multiferroic device paradigms. (Research.com)
- “Photovoltaics with ferroelectrics: current status and beyond” — Review shaping understanding of ferroelectric photovoltaic effects. (Research.com)
- “Flexo-photovoltaic effect” (Science) — Innovative research showing photovoltaic phenomena beyond classical semiconductor junctions. (Research.com)
These works collectively influence fields such as ferroelectric photovoltaics, thin-film multifunctional materials, domain wall electronics and oxide memory devices.
Books & Scholarly Chapters
Professor Alexe is also editor or co-editor of academic books in functional materials, for example:
- Nanoscale Characterisation of Ferroelectric Materials: Scanning Probe Microscopy Approach — a foundational text on nanoscale ferroelectric characterization techniques. (Amazon)
His editorial work underscores his leadership in defining analytical approaches in nanoferroics and scanning probe microscopy.
Major Awards & Recognition
Professor Alexe’s contributions have been honoured through major research awards:
- Wolfson Research Merit Award from the Royal Society for excellence in science and international research leadership. (Université de Warwick)
- Theo Murphy Blue Sky Award (Royal Society), recognising visionary research potential. (Université de Warwick)
- Alexander von Humboldt Research Award, further acknowledging his scientific international impact. (rocam.fizica.unibuc.ro)
- Ernst Ruska Prize of the German Society for Electron Microscopy, reflecting his excellence in materials characterization. (fizica.unibuc.ro)
These accolades span UK, German and broader European recognition of breakthroughs in functional materials and nanoelectronics.
International Cooperation & Projects
Professor Alexe has led and participated in numerous major research efforts and international collaborations, including:
- EPSRC-funded projects (~£1.75 M) on ferrotoroidic structures and ferroelectric/ferroelastic/multiferroic domain walls, in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast, Cambridge and St Andrews. (Université de Warwick)
- Long-standing networks with European research centres, including the Max Planck Institutes and multiple synchrotron facilities, enabling cross-institutional projects on oxide electronics and advanced characterization. (fizica.unibuc.ro)
- Hosting of international postdoctoral fellows and Marie Curie Fellows in his group at Warwick, fostering global research training and collaboration. (Université de Warwick)
His leadership in projects directs frontier research at the intersection of condensed matter physics, materials science and electronic engineering.
Teaching & Mentorship
At the University of Warwick, Professor Alexe:
- Leads a major Functional Electronic Materials research group, mentoring doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in oxide physics and nanomaterials. (Université de Warwick)
- Teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in materials physics, thin film science and nanoelectronics, helping train the next generation of scientists.
Summary
Professor Marin Alexe is one of the world’s foremost researchers in ferroelectrics, multiferroics and complex oxide electronics, with:
- >320+ scientific publications and 2 books; (fizica.unibuc.ro)
- ~22,000+ citations and h-index ~61–66; (Research.com)
- High-impact papers in ferroelectric memory, photovoltaic effects, domain wall physics and multiferroic devices; (Research.com)
- Major research awards including Royal Society Wolfson and Theo Murphy Awards and the Humboldt Award; (Université de Warwick)
- Leadership of impactful EPSRC-funded research projects with international partnerships. (Université de Warwick)
His scientific legacy spans nanoferroic phenomena, oxide thin film engineering and functional materials for future electronics, combining deep fundamental discoveries with pathways toward transformative technologies.