Maarten Goesten

My research involves the symmetry-based design of new quantum materials. I currently focus on Quantum Molecular Tectonics. Here, I use redox-active ligands to generate delocalized charge carriers in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). And then I control the symmetry of that same lattice, to engineer entanglement and magnetic properties in these porous frameworks.

Buzzwords:

Group theory, Quantum Materials

Diagrams showing different symmetry-based molecular frameworks of quantum molecular tectonics: Lieb, Kagome, and inversion-broken Kagome lattices, with corresponding structural models and symmetry point groups of MOFs.

Visualization of calculated quasi-atomic orbital states in molecular ring systems, showing electronic cloud distributions for different symmetry-adapted states (E₁g, E₁u, A₁g).

Lego-like design of conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks with special space group symmetries, through a selection of appropriate molecular building blocks.

Computed charge densities, colored by the sign of the (real part of the) wavefunction, showing an electron quasiatom in the center of a Metal-Organic Framework pore.

Applications:

Catalysis, Spintronics, Quantum Information

Methods:

Group and representation theory (and the development of new methods)

High-level computation (predominantly based on periodic Density-Functional Theory)

Metal and Covalent Organic Framework synthesis and characterization

Synchrotron Spectroscopy and state-of-the-art characterization in collaborations

Catalysis in collaborations

iMAT Research Topics:

Quantum Materials and Devices, Electrocatalysis, Superconductors, Magnetic Materials, Green Chemistry, AI enabled material development

Revised 21.01.2026

Laura Rammelt

AU Materials Aarhus University Materials Research Cluster

Maarten Goesten

Buzzwords:

Applications:

Methods:

iMAT Research Topics:

University profile

Maarten Goesten