I aim to achieve a fundamental understanding of the atomistic kinetic pathways responsible for nanostructure formation and to explore the concept of self-organization by thermodynamic segregation in functional ceramics. Model systems are advanced ceramic thin films, which will be studied under two defining cases: 1) deposition of supersaturated solid solutions or nanocomposites by magnetron sputtering (epitaxy) and arc evaporation. 2) post-deposition annealing (ageing) of as-synthesized material. Thin film ceramics are terra incognita for compositions in the miscibility gap. The field is exciting since both surface and in-depth decomposition can take place in the alloys. The methodology is based on combined growth experiments, characterization, and ab initio calculations to identify and describe systems with a large miscibility gap. A hot topic is to elucidate the bonding nature of the cubic-SiNx interfacial phase, discovered by us in TiN/Si3N4 with impact for superhard nanocomposites. I have also pioneered studies of self-organization by spinodal decomposition in TiAlN alloy films (age hardening). Here, the details of metastable c-AlN nm domain formation are unknown and the systems HfAlN and ZrAlN are predicted to be even more promising. Other model systems are III-nitrides (band gap engineering), semiconductor/insulator oxides (interface conductivity) and carbides (tribology). The proposed research is exploratory and has the potential of explaining outstanding phenomena (Gibbs-Thomson effect, strain, and spinodal decomposition) as well as discovering new phases, for which my group has a track-record, backed-up by state-of-the-art in situ techniques. One can envision a new class of super-hard all-crystalline ceramic nanocomposites with relevance for a large number of research areas where elevated temperature is of concern, significant in impact for areas as diverse as microelectronics and cutting tools as well as mechanical and optical components.

Semiconductor materials form the basis of modern electronics, communication, data storage and computing technologies. One of today’s major challenges for the development of future technologies is the realization of devices that control not only the electron charge, as in present electronics, but also its spin, setting the basis for future spintronics. Spintronics represents the concept of the synergetic and multifunctional use of charge and spin dynamics of electrons, aiming to go beyond the traditional dichotomy of semiconductor electronics and magnetic storage technology. The most direct method to induce spin-polarized electrons into a semiconductor is by introducing appropriate transition metal dopants producing a dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS). The seamless integration of future spintronic architectures into nanodevices would require the fabrication 1-D DMS nanostructures in well defined architectures. In this project we propose to use a simple low-cost, low-temperature electrodeposition process to not only synthesise and characterise ZnO based bipolar DMS nanowire heterostructures but, even more importantly, fabricate an array of p-n and n-p-n junctions which could lead to novel nano-spintronic devices within ordered pre-defined nano-architectures. We will study the structural and functional properties of these heterostructures, which could have applications such as spin polarised LED and spin polarised bipolar junction transistor. By fully exploring the parameters controlling the growth and functionality of these materials we will try to gain a holistic understanding of the processing/structure/property relationships for this system. The ultimate goal of this project is to be able to design and fabricate specific nanowire heterostructures with tuneable magnetic and electrical properties which could lead to practical spintronic applications. Moreover this approach is inherently clean and scalable and easily integrated within current industrial practice.

Use of self-lubricated coatings in dynamic contacting parts of the system not only reduces complexity, weight, and cost to the system, but also improves the performance to a great extent by reducing friction and wear. Unlike liquid lubricants, the release of various toxic and harmful chemicals to the environment can also be avoided. So, a self-lubricated surface with a long lifetime is a promising one to meet future challenges. The most common solid lubricants are graphite and transition metals layered dichalcogenides, among which MoS2/WS2 has a great prominence. In this proposal, electrodeposition of Co-W alloys impregnated with MoS2 and WC nanoparticles will be carried out to form nanocomposite coatings by a low cost electrodeposition process. The idea is to impart high hardness and mechanical strength by WC particles for wear resistance; and self-lubrication property by MoS2 particles to a Co-W matrix. Firstly, unlike ELECTROLYTIC CO-DEPOSITION from suspensions of MoS2 nanoparticles, here, emphasis will be on the in-situ formation of MoS2 particles in the electrical double layer followed by their incorporation into Co-W alloys during electrolytic reduction process. Secondly, R&D efforts will be directed to co-deposit WC particles from suspensions along with MoS2 to make self-lubricated wear-resistant nanocomposite coatings. The detailed mechanistic study of MoS2 nucleation and growth; the surface and structural characterization of the nanocomposite coatings, wear and friction property and corrosion will be investigated to understand the structure property correlation. Thirdly, the electrodeposition of Co-W+WC+IF-MoS2 nanocomposite coatings will be carried out from electrolytic suspensions of WC and IF-MoS2 nanoparticles, and the properties will be compared with the former nanocomposites. A special attention will be given on the onset of an implementation of this technology into industrial practice.

CATHERINE will provide a new unconventional concept for local and chip-level interconnects that will bridge ICT beyond the limits of CMOS technology._x000d_

The aim of this project is to develop high density defect-free ultra-thin sealing coatings with excellent barrier properties and improved corrosion resistance. Their successful functioning will be provided by the synergy of the coating “perfect” morphology and its complex structural design, which can be tailored at the nanoscale. The study will be focused on development of novel nanostructured coating systems, such as nanoscale multilayers, mixed and composite coatings. These impermeable sealing layers must be able to block the ion exchange between the substrate material and an aggressive environment, thus offering an efficient protection against corrosion over a long term. The coatings will be deposited by four alternative vapour deposition techniques, Filtered Cathodic Arc Deposition (FCAD), High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS), Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Plasma Enhanced Atomic layer Deposition (PEALD)). These techniques possess a unique advantage offering the deposition of highly conformal and uniform films of high density, free of defects. The technological objective of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of corrosion protection by FCAD, HIPIMS and ALD techniques on an industrial scale. To fulfil this objective, a complete industrial process for the multi-stage surface treatment, including cleaning, pre-treatment, coating deposition, must be defined. All techniques will be evaluated in terms of technical effectiveness, production costs, environmental impact and safety, and the most suitable technique(s) will be selected for further development on a large scale for the applications in some targeted industrial sectors. The applications, tested within this project, concern high precision mechanical parts (bearings), aerospace components (break systems) and gas handling components. The coating application in the decorative and biomedical domains will be assessed.

The objective of this project is to develop an innovative and novel combination of a new TOF-SIMS with substantially improved lateral resolution and sensitivity, combined with a new metrological high resolution SFM. The two techniques provide complementary information on nanoscale surface chemistry and surface morphology. In combination with a layer by layer removal of material using low energy sputtering, quantitatively measured by SFM, this combined ultra-high vacuum (UHV) instrument will be unique for the 3-dimensional chemical characterisation of nanostructured inorganic as well as organic materials with down to at least 10 nm lateral resolution and down to 1 nm depth resolution. Joint by a novel software for the calculation and display of 3-dimensional distributions of all chemical species, this leads to a totally new “3D NanoChemiscope”.

CANA explores new methods for the fabrication of complex carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene. The project emphasizes the importance of the hierarchical organization of materials over several lengthscale. To achieve this, CANA follows a methodical approach, that systematically optimizes mesoscale chemistry, nanoscale morphology, microscale porosity and macroscale assembly and packaging. For instance, we will pursue combined top-down microfabrication and bottom-up self-assembly, accompanied with surface modification through hydrothermal processing. While the properties of organized carbon nanomaterial assemblies can be tuned towards a wide variety of applications, this project specifically focusses electrodes for energy storage. This project is highly multi-disciplinary as it brings together expertise ranging from macro- and microscale manufacturing, to nanoscale material synthesis and mesoscale chemical surface modification and electrochemistry. The funding provided through this CIG grant will mainly be invested in vital pieces of equipment to enable pursuing the above objectives, but also for travel in Europe and for setting up new research collaborations. As such, this project is crucial for the applicant's integration in his new research position. Beyond this initial project, the expertise and equipment acquired through this grant will be employed for the development of new water filtration techniques.

Over the past years, carbon nanomaterial such as graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted the interest of scientists, because some of their properties are unlike any other engineering material. Individual graphene sheets and CNTs have shown a Youngs Modulus of 1 TPa and a tensile strength of 100 GPa, hereby exceeding steel at only a fraction of its weight. Further, they offer high currents carrying capacities of 10^9 A/cm², and thermal conductivities up to 3500 W/mK, exceeding diamond. Importantly, these off-the-chart properties are only valid for high quality individualized nanotubes or sheets. However, most engineering applications require the assembly of tens to millions of these nanoparticles into one device. Unfortunately, the mechanical and electronic figures of merit of such assembled materials typically drop by at least an order of magnitude in comparison to the constituent nanoparticles. In this ERC project, we aim at the development of new techniques to create structured assemblies of carbon nanoparticles. Herein we emphasize the importance of controlling hierarchical arrangement at different length scales in order to engineer the properties of the final device. The project will follow a methodical approach, bringing together different fields of expertise ranging from macro- and microscale manufacturing, to nanoscale material synthesis and mesoscale chemical surface modification. For instance, we will pursue combined top-down microfabrication and bottom-up self-assembly, accompanied with surface modification through hydrothermal processing. This research will impact scientific understanding of how nanotubes and nanosheets interact, and will create new hierarchical assembly techniques for nanomaterials. Further, this ERC project pursues applications with high societal impact, including energy storage and water filtration. Finally, HIENA will tie relations with EU's rich CNT industry to disseminate its technologic achievements.

Fuel cell systems are high-efficiency, low-emission energy conversion modules for transportation, stationary and portable applications. Especially for automotive applications, low-temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are considered a key-stone solution, as they can effectively reduce greenhouse gases emissions. A major barrier for the market penetration of these systems is the material scarcity of precious metals used for the fabrication of the electrocatalyst, a core-component of the system. Achieving increased performance in terms of catalytic activity and stability (corrosion resistance) while decreasing the cost, can be realized by a drastic redesign of the catalyst fabrication process using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of nanoparticles. Using the understanding of the ALD coating processes obtained in the ERC-StG project AggloNanoCoat, the technique's potential for producing tailored yet inexpensive core/shell nanoparticles for advanced catalysis applications has been identified. The innovative process characteristics (precise surface modification, mild operating conditions, scale-up potential and minimization of environmental footprint) clearly form a strong pre-commercialization starting-point. The next required step is the assessment of the market potential, effectively bridging nanoparticle ALD and the fuel cell catalyst manufacturing section. The CONiA project will establish the basis for commercial development by introducing an attractive communication package based on the outcomes of a validation case-study. The main objective of the activities will be to demonstrate the scale-up potential and provide an initial costing structure for the future venture. In parallel, a solid business proposition will be set, to enable the consecutive required actions for securing further funding and to provide the corner-stone for kick-starting a company that will commercialize the technology.

Project CATAPULT proposes to develop a radically new concept for automotive PEM fuel cell catalysts based on novel structures wherein platinum is deposited as an extremely thin layer ( <3 nm) on corrosion resistant supports of various morphologies, including particulate, nanofibrous and nanotubular, as well as 'nano-hierarchical' combinations of these. In this approach, platinum is deposited using atomic layer deposition as thin, contiguous and conformal films that allow development of extended platinum or platinum alloy surfaces. Non-PGM catalysts will be developed via the tailored synthesis of metal-organic frameworks for their use either sacrificially to generate the C/N support for non-PGM species, or directly as a non-PGM catalyst. Hybrid ultra-low Pt/non-PGM catalysts and catalyst layers will also be investigated as a further novel approach. Increased fundamental understanding from supporting theoretical modelling will provide guidance to the strategies developed experimentally and to the down-selection of the new corrosion-resistant supports and their supported catalyst designs. Down-selected catalysts will be integrated into novel electrode designs and into MEAs incorporating state of the art membranes best adapted for automotive power trains, and evaluated according to protocols reproducing the stresses encountered in a drive cycle. The candidate MEA best satisfying performance and stability targets will be scaled-up for further assessment at large MEA and short stack levels. Techno-economic assessment will consider the scale up processability, and the impact of MEA performance and durability on stack costs. The well-balanced partnership, comprising two large industries (including an automotive OEM), two SMEs, two research organisations and two universities, will ensure close cooperation between industrial and institute partners, know-how, experience, research leadership, complementarity and industrial relevance.