"The Lightfoot Group" carry out research in the field of Solid State Chemistry, primarily of inorganic materials. In particular, we are interested in the design, synthesis and characterisation of advanced inorganic and hybrid materials with novel physical and chemical properties, and the understanding of the interplay of structure, composition and properties of these materials. The work is broadly based and is driven by contemporary trends in the field, aimed at the preparation of better materials for future technologies. Current interests are in the areas of ferroelectric, optical, magnetic and porous materials, as well as in new synthetic methods and the development and exploitation of new characterisation techniques, particularly those based on X-ray and neutron diffraction. Currently the group is developing both oxide and fluoride-based materials using both high-temperature ‘solid-state’ and low-temperature ‘’solvothermal’ methods. We have a vareity of collaborators both within the UK and further afield.