Welcome
Welcome to the official website of the European High Pressure Research Group (EHPRG).
EHPRG is non-profitable academic association established in 1963 which is devoted to science and technology of matter under high pressure. It organizes an annual meeting which brings together hundreds of scientists of various fields, mainly physics, chemistry, Earth and planetary sciences, bio- and food science and technology.
The reasonable size of the group, low conference fees, and a friendly relationship between the attendants have made EHPRG meetings a major event in the European high-pressure community for more than half a century.
Immediate past EHPRG Meeting
The Joint 28th AIRAPT and 60th EHPRG International Conference on High Pressure Science and Technology (AIRAPT-2023) took place in Edinburgh, UK, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), from July 23-28, 2023.
Immediately prior to AIRAPT/EHPRG, from the 19th to 23rd of July 2023, a Summer School had taken place, also based in Edinburgh, with accommodation provided in University Halls of Residence. The School was aimed at young researchers, and experimentalists wanting a grounding in theory and vice versa.
For more information, please visit the official webpage of AIRAPT-23.
High-pressure in the headlines
Selection of high-pressure related titles from top scientific journals.
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Culture clashes: unpicking the power dynamics between research managers and academics
by Dom Byrne
Nature, Published online: 22 September 2023; doi:10.1038/d41586-023-02983-x
Some researchers thank admin colleagues with chocolates or wine. But deadline pressures, and the need to generate research income, can sometimes result in bullying.22 Sep 2023 at 12:00am
Bubble bursts increase melt rates of tidewater glaciers
Nature Geoscience, Published online: 14 September 2023; doi:10.1038/s41561-023-01271-7
Glacier ice contains high-pressure air bubbles, which burst into seawater as ice melts at tidewater glacier termini. Laboratory measurements found that these bubbles double the rate of ice melt. Theoretically, this effect could be even larger in a real glacier. However, bursting bubbles are currently neglected in models projecting sea level rise.14 Sep 2023 at 12:00am
Rutile’s fiery brilliance
by Alicia M. Cruz-Uribe
Nature Geoscience, Published online: 07 September 2023; doi:10.1038/s41561-023-01263-7
From pressure indicator to paint brightener, Alicia Cruz-Uribe examines the many uses of rutile.7 Sep 2023 at 12:00am
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Bilayer Two-Orbital Model of $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ under Pressure
by Zhihui Luo, Xunwu Hu, Meng Wang, Wéi Wú, and Dao-Xin Yao
Author(s): Zhihui Luo, Xunwu Hu, Meng Wang, Wéi Wú, and Dao-Xin Yao
The newly discovered Ruddlesden-Popper bilayer ${\mathrm{La}}_{3}{\text{Ni}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ reaches a remarkable superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}≈80\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ under a pressure of above 14 GPa. Here we propose a minimal bilayer two-orbital model of the high-press…
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 126001] Published Wed Sep 20, 2023
20 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
When Quantum Fluctuations Meet Structural Instabilities: The Isotope- and Pressure-Induced Phase Transition in the Quantum Paraelectric NaOH
by Sofiane Schaack, Etienne Mangaud, Erika Fallacara, Simon Huppert, Philippe Depondt, and Fabio Finocchi
Author(s): Sofiane Schaack, Etienne Mangaud, Erika Fallacara, Simon Huppert, Philippe Depondt, and Fabio Finocchi
Anhydrous sodium hydroxide, a common and structurally simple compound, shows spectacular isotope effects: NaOD undergoes a first-order transition, which is absent in NaOH. By combining ab initio electronic structure calculations with Feynman path integrals, we show that NaOH is an unusual example of…
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 126101] Published Wed Sep 20, 2023
20 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
Plaquette Singlet Transition, Magnetic Barocaloric Effect, and Spin Supersolidity in the Shastry-Sutherland Model
by Junsen Wang, Han Li, Ning Xi, Yuan Gao, Qing-Bo Yan, Wei Li, and Gang Su
Author(s): Junsen Wang, Han Li, Ning Xi, Yuan Gao, Qing-Bo Yan, Wei Li, and Gang Su
Inspired by recent experimental measurements [Guo et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 206602 (2020); Jiménez et al., Nature (London) 592, 370 (2021)] on frustrated quantum magnet ${\text{SrCu}}_{2}({\mathrm{BO}}_{3}{)}_{2}$ under combined pressure and magnetic fields, we study the related spin-$1/2$ Shast…
[Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 116702] Published Thu Sep 14, 2023
14 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
Optimality Pressures toward Lateralization of Complex Brain Functions
by Luís F. Seoane
Author(s): Luís F. Seoane
A mathematical model shows how increased intricacy of cognitive tasks can break the mirror symmetry of the brain’s neural network.

[Phys. Rev. X 13, 031028] Published Wed Sep 13, 2023
13 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
Ramp Compression of Germanium Dioxide to Extreme Conditions: Phase Transitions in an ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ Analog
by D. Kim, I. K. Ocampo, R. F. Smith, F. Coppari, M. Millot, J. K. Wicks, J. R. Rygg, J. H. Eggert, and T. S. Duffy
Author(s): D. Kim, I. K. Ocampo, R. F. Smith, F. Coppari, M. Millot, J. K. Wicks, J. R. Rygg, J. H. Eggert, and T. S. Duffy
Observation of the crystal structure of GeO2 at pressures of hundreds of gigapascals offers insights into the high-pressure behavior of SiO2, which is expected to exist in the deep interior of large rocky exoplanets.

[Phys. Rev. X 13, 031025] Published Fri Sep 08, 2023
8 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
Colloquium: Room temperature superconductivity: The roles of theory and materials design
by Warren E. Pickett
Author(s): Warren E. Pickett
Superconductivity, discovered in 1911 and first theoretically understood in 1957, remains a fascinating phenomenon for reasons both fundamental and applied. Reliably calculating the critical temperature of a given material, and even more so predicting it, turned out to be a considerable challenge. This Colloquium explains how theoretical developments have led to increasingly reliable predictions that have culminated in the discovery of the hydride materials that display superconductivity under high pressure at temperatures just shy of room temperature.

[Rev. Mod. Phys. 95, 021001] Published Fri Apr 07, 2023
7 Apr 2023 at 12:00pm
Effect of hydrostatic pressure and alloying on thermoelectric properties of van der Waals solid KMgSb: An ab initio study
by Vikrant Chaudhary, Tulika Maitra, Tashi Nautiyal, Jeroen van den Brink, and Hem C. Kandpal
Author(s): Vikrant Chaudhary, Tulika Maitra, Tashi Nautiyal, Jeroen van den Brink, and Hem C. Kandpal
Using a combined approach of first-principles and Boltzmann transport theory, we conducted a systematic investigation of the thermal and electrical transport properties of the unexplored ternary quasi-two-dimensional KMgSb system of the $\mathrm{KMg}X$ ($X=\mathrm{P},\mathrm{As},\mathrm{Sb}, \text{a…
[Phys. Rev. Materials 7, 095401] Published Tue Sep 19, 2023
19 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
High-pressure evolution of silver iodate $({\mathrm{AgIO}}_{3})$ and the $γ\text{−}{\mathrm{AgIO}}_{3}$ phase
by Robin Turnbull, Josu Sánchez-Martín, Robert Oliva, Jordi Ibáñez, Catalin Popescu, Plácida Rodríguez-Hernández, Alfonso Muñoz, Gwilherm Nénert, David Vie, and Daniel Errandonea
Author(s): Robin Turnbull, Josu Sánchez-Martín, Robert Oliva, Jordi Ibáñez, Catalin Popescu, Plácida Rodríguez-Hernández, Alfonso Muñoz, Gwilherm Nénert, David Vie, and Daniel Errandonea
A phase of silver iodate, $γ\text{−}{\mathrm{AgIO}}_{3}$, has been obtained at ambient temperature by compressing $α\text{−}{\mathrm{AgIO}}_{3}$ to 1.60(5) GPa. The $γ\text{−}{\mathrm{AgIO}}_{3}$ crystal structure was identified via Rietveld refinement of high-pressure powder synchrotron x-ray diffr…
[Phys. Rev. Materials 7, 084606] Published Fri Aug 25, 2023
25 Aug 2023 at 12:00pm
Suppression of both superconductivity and structural transition in hole-doped ${\mathrm{MoTe}}_{2}$ induced by Ta substitution
by Siu Tung Lam, K. Y. Yip, Swee K. Goh, and Kwing To Lai
Author(s): Siu Tung Lam, K. Y. Yip, Swee K. Goh, and Kwing To Lai
Type-II Weyl semimetal ${\mathrm{MoTe}}_{2}$ exhibits a first-order structural transition at ${T}_{s}∼250$ K and superconducts at ${T}_{c}∼0.1$ K at ambient pressure. Both ${T}_{s}$ and ${T}_{c}$ can be manipulated by several tuning parameters, such as hydrostatic pressure and chemical substitution.…
[Phys. Rev. Materials 7, 084802] Published Mon Aug 21, 2023
21 Aug 2023 at 12:00pm
Strain-coupling and relaxation dynamics in multicaloric ammonium sulphate ${({\mathrm{NH}}_{4})}_{2}{\mathrm{SO}}_{4}$
by Michael A. Carpenter, Miguel B. Costa, Guillaume F. Nataf, and Xavier Moya
Author(s): Michael A. Carpenter, Miguel B. Costa, Guillaume F. Nataf, and Xavier Moya
The properties of materials that lay the groundwork for greenhouse gas-free solid-state cooling are intricately tied to their proximity to a phase transition—a phenomenon that unfolds reversibly in response to an externally applied field. Enter ammonium sulfate, a material that holds the promise of effectiveness and affordability within this remarkable realm. Its allure stems from a structural phase transition occurring at 225 K, which can be driven by changing hydrostatic pressure and electric fields. However, because of a large change in volume, cycling crystals through the transition typically results in mechanical failure. In this work, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy reveals the strain relaxation mechanisms responsible for this failure and a thermal pathway by which it can be avoided.

[Phys. Rev. Materials 7, 083601] Published Fri Aug 11, 2023
11 Aug 2023 at 12:00pm
Continuous direct band-gap narrowing and piezochromism of lead-free two-dimensional perovskite nanocrystals under high pressure
by Yu Zhou, Dianlong Zhao, Feng Wang, Yue Shi, Zhiwei Ma, Ruijing Fu, Kai Wang, Yongming Sui, Qingfeng Dong, Guanjun Xiao, and Bo Zou
Author(s): Yu Zhou, Dianlong Zhao, Feng Wang, Yue Shi, Zhiwei Ma, Ruijing Fu, Kai Wang, Yongming Sui, Qingfeng Dong, Guanjun Xiao, and Bo Zou
Lead halide perovskites are widely applied in photovoltaic devices and solar cells. However, the economic potential is restricted by the toxicity of lead. Two-dimensional (2D) layered organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (OIHP) copper-based perovskites with good stability and hypotoxicity greatly ful…
[Phys. Rev. Materials 7, 074002] Published Wed Jul 26, 2023
26 Jul 2023 at 12:00pm
Pressure-induced structural transformations in $(1−x){\mathrm{Na}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{0.5}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}−x\mathrm{BaTi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ at the morphotropic phase boundary
by Constanze Rösche, Tiziana Boffa-Ballaran, and Boriana Mihailova
Author(s): Constanze Rösche, Tiziana Boffa-Ballaran, and Boriana Mihailova
Pressure-induced structural transformations up to 8.9 GPa in the perovskite-type ($AB{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) $(1−x){\mathrm{Na}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Bi}}_{0.5}\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}−x\mathrm{BaTi}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (NBT-$x\mathrm{BT}$) at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), ${x}_{\mathrm{MPB}}=0.048$, w…
[Phys. Rev. B 108, 094110] Published Fri Sep 22, 2023
22 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
Pressure-dependent distortions in quasi-two-dimensional magnetic CrOCl at low temperatures
by Achim M. Schaller, Maxim Bykov, Elena Bykova, Konstantin Glazyrin, Toms Rekis, and Sander van Smaalen
Author(s): Achim M. Schaller, Maxim Bykov, Elena Bykova, Konstantin Glazyrin, Toms Rekis, and Sander van Smaalen
The layered van der Waals compound CrOCl is frustrated for antiferromagnetic (AFM) order, because of its orthorhombic $Pmmn$ symmetry that supports a triangular lattice of magnetic ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ions. At ambient pressure, CrOCl develops incommensurate AFM order below ${T}_{c}=27.2\phantom{\ru…
[Phys. Rev. B 108, 104108] Published Fri Sep 22, 2023
22 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
Electronic structure of the putative room-temperature superconductor ${\text{Pb}}_{9}\text{Cu}{({\text{PO}}_{4})}_{6}\text{O}$
by Liang Si and Karsten Held
Author(s): Liang Si and Karsten Held
A recent paper [Lee et al., J. Kor. Cryst. Growth Cryst. Technol. 33, 61 (2023)] provides some experimental indications that ${\mathrm{Pb}}_{10−x}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{x}{({\mathrm{PO}}_{4})}_{6}\mathrm{O}$ with $x≈1$, coined LK-99, might be a room-temperature superconductor at ambient pressure. Our densi…
[Phys. Rev. B 108, L121110] Published Wed Sep 20, 2023
20 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
High-temperature superconductivity in electrides dominated by hybridized $\mathit{p}$-orbital-like electride states
by Zhao Liu, Defang Duan, Quan Zhuang, and Tian Cui
Author(s): Zhao Liu, Defang Duan, Quan Zhuang, and Tian Cui
High-pressure electrides have opened a promising path to high-temperature superconductors and attracted considerable attention. However, the origins of superconductivity from discrepant sources remain puzzling. In this study, we propose a different type of $p$-orbital-like electride state to shed li…
[Phys. Rev. B 108, L100507] Published Mon Sep 18, 2023
18 Sep 2023 at 12:00pm
High pressure Raman study of Na4Ca(CO3)3 from the ambient pressure to 11 GPa
by Sergey RashchenkoMaria KolesnichenkoAnastasia MikhnoAnton Shatskiya Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Novosibirsk, Russiab Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russiac Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
Volume 43, Issue 3, September 2023, Page 205-214
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5 Jun 2023 at 5:53am
Use of finite element analysis for the thermal gradient determination of a neutron transparent high-pressure sample environment for neutron tomography
by Vili GrigorovaSvyatoslav ShchekaFatemeh SalehiKonstantin V. KamenevSimon M. Clarka School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australiab School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australiac School of Engineering, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
Volume 43, Issue 3, September 2023, Page 215-230
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24 Jun 2023 at 8:59am
The use of LEDs as a light source for fluorescence pressure measurements
by Rustem KhasanovMatthias ElenderStefan Klotza Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerlandb Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 7590, Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC), Paris, France
Volume 43, Issue 3, September 2023, Page 192-204
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17 May 2023 at 6:11am
Structure evolution of fluorapophyllite-(K) under high pressure
by Yurii V. SeryotkinMark A. Ignatova Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russiab Department of Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
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21 Aug 2023 at 8:44am