In 2000 he extended thin film methodologies to the combinatorial synthesis and screening of solid state materials. Synthetic methods involving MBE and high intensity plasma atom sources provided a unique route to the high throughput discovery and optimisation of multi-component alloys, oxides, nitrides, hydrides, sulphides and carbides, as well as supported metal nano-structures. Screening of material libraries was facilitated often "on chip" through the micro-fabrication of MEMS screening arrays. Interests include the development and optimisation of electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells, active layers for thin film PV cells, 2-D materials for electronics and optoelectronics, phase change materials for memory applications, functional oxides for ferroelectric and piezoelectric devices and for tunable dielectrics in phase shifters for 5G communication
, and materials for solid-state lithium ion batteries.