JOŽEF STEFAN INSTITUTE
Department of Complex Matter
Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Dynamics of Quantum matter

We explore non-equilibrium many-body dynamics in quantum systems that experience symmetry-breaking, topological, or jamming transitions. These systems encompass superconductors, charge-density wave, and magnetic materials.

Experimental Soft Matter Physics

The research is conducted within the “Light and Matter” research program. The interaction of light with matter is one of the most important fields of physics and optical processes are indispensable in many branches of modern industry.

For students

Are you searching for an exciting and innovative topic for your seminar, summer work, or perhaps for a Masters or Diploma research? Check available topics an start your research journey with us.

Job opportunities

We are searching for talents! If you are searching for PhD position, if you are a motivated postdoc or senior researchers, check open positions and proposed research topics.

Our partners

We strongly believe that collaboration helps provide opportunities. We collaborate with other research institutions, businesses and industry. Learn here about our associates and how to become our partner.

December 14 - 18, 2025, Krvavec, Slovenia
The Department of Complex Matter and the Department of Theoretical Physics at the Jožef Stefan Institute will host the 14th Nonequilibrium Quantum Workshop (NQW) from December 14–18, 2025, at Krvavec, ...
Home / News / Multiferroic Liquids: Ferroelectric and Ferromagnetic Order in a Hybrid Nanopart…

Multiferroic Liquids: Ferroelectric and Ferromagnetic Order in a Hybrid Nanoparticle-Liquid Crystal System

July 27, 2025

Peter Medle-Rupnik, Nerea Sebastian and Alenka Mertelj from the Department of Complex Matter and Darja Lisjak from the Material Synthesis Department, in collaboration with researchers from Otto-von-Guericke University, Technical University Braunschweig and Merck Electronics KGaA, have demonstrated an example of a liquid that uniquely exhibits both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic ordering. The breakthrough focuses on a nanostructured liquid crystalline hybrid, composed of ferrimagnetic barium hexaferrite nanoparticles suspended in a ferroelectric nematic host, where director-mediated interactions drive the self-assembly of nanoplatelets in an intricate network. This system shows magnetically driven electric and nonlinear optical responses, alongside electrically driven magnetic responses.

This achievement marks significant progress toward the development of multiresponsive multiferroic liquids, with promising potential for advanced applications in energy harvesting, nonlinear optics, and next-generation sensors.

The article, published in Advanced Materials, can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202508406