DFT is an ab-initio method derived from quantum mechanics and can be used to predict material properties without experimental input. The resulting atomic scale models can be used to guide experimental investigations - for example, to predict a new material with a particular target property.

When DFT is applied to crystalline materials it is usually assumed that there is perfect translational symmetry - that there are no defects (missing or extra atoms) - and that the atoms are perfectly static. However a real material always has defects, and the atomic lattice vibrates with heat. These defects and vibrations are important to understand because they can have a large impact upon the performance of a device. A large part of my research has focused on the modelling the defects and vibrations of hybrid halide perovskites, a family of materials that have become incredibly popular over the last decade as they can convert sunlight into electricity efficiently, and have the potential to form more flexible, lightweight and cheaper solar panels than those currently on the market.