Lab exchange grant: Research visit to discuss an ongoing paper and a possible joint grant in the future

Bo Peng, a Junior Research Fellow at The University of Cambridge was awarded an M4QN laboratory exchange award to visit Dr Michele Pizzochero at the University of Bath. The visit took place from the 26 – 29 March 2026.

The purpose of the visit

Built upon our previous joint papers [B Peng & M Pizzochero. Chemical Communications 61, 10287 (2025); B Peng & M Pizzochero. ACS Nano 19, 29637 (2025)], during this visit, Michele and Bo discussed their ongoing preprint [B Peng & M Pizzochero. arXiv:2508.18849]. They also discussed their plans to write a joint EPSRC grant in the future based on these three papers, which will focus on defect engineering in fullerene monolayers for quantum applications. During the visit, Bo also attended a seminar on structured light, which might lead to some long-term collaborations.

Benefits to the UK materials and quantum community

Bo will deliver a publication [B Peng & M Pizzochero. arXiv:2508.18849], which will acknowledge the M4QN grants. Additionally, Bo is aiming to write a joint EPSRC grant on defect engineering in fullerene monolayers for quantum applications which will also involve plans to collaborate with many other colleagues beyond Cambridge and Bath. This should result in mutual visits across several groups and universities, bridging many communities in Quantum Physics, Materials Science, and Theoretical Chemistry.

Visit outcomes

As a direct result of this visit, a publication [B Peng & M Pizzochero. arXiv:2508.18849] has been prepared and future funding applications will be submitted.