Atmospheric plasma techniques as processing methods have a number of advantages which include their ability to tailor the surface chemistry at the nanometre level. As such, the plasma treatments are energy efficient, reproducible and environmentally clean. In-line, continuous reel-to-reel processing equipment has been developed in the last 5 years. The wide scale application of this nano-processing technology in the pre-treatment of packaging materials in reel-to-reel processing has however been severely limited. One of the main reasons for this is the relatively slow processing velocity for coating depositions. In general, the velocities need to be increased by 2-5 fold in order to fully exploit the new nano-processing techniques. This proposal will address these issues in order to assist in the transfer of atmospheric plasma processing technology from the laboratory scale to industrial level in the packaging industry. Special attention will go out to the very promising combination with sol-gel technology. A method and equipment for in-line plasma deposition of high-barrier bio-based coatings to be applied in conjunction with extrusion coating at industrial line speeds will be developed. The approach will exploit sol-gel coatings applied on the substrates by plasma deposition. The substrates include paper, cardboard and plastic films. Renewable, biobased and biodegradable materials will be used as extrusion coatings. The project aims at replacement of fluoropolymer based grease barrier materials with sol-gel coated bioplastics and substitution of non-renewable barrier packaging films with renewables based materials in general. To achive these objectives, several leading European institutes and universities in atmospheric plasma deposition technology (VITO and TUE), sol-gel development (FhG-ISC and VTT) and extrusion coating and analytics development (TUT and JSI) together with a range of industrial participants are incorporated in the proposal.

In this proposed integrating project we will develop innovative in-line high throughput manufacturing technologies which are all based on atmospheric pressure (AP) vapour phase surface and on AP plasma processing technologies. Both approaches have significant potential for the precise synthesis of nano-structures with tailored properties, but their effective simultaneous combination is particularly promising. We propose to merge the unique potential of atmospheric pressure atomic layer deposition (AP-ALD), with nucleation and growth chemical vapour deposition (AP-CVD) with atmospheric pressure based plasma technologies e.g. for surface nano-structuring by growth control or chemical etching and, sub-nanoscale nucleation (seed) layers. The potential for cost advantages of such an approach, combined with the targeted innovation, make the technology capable of step changes in nano-manufacturing. Compatible with high volume and flexible multi-functionalisation, scale-up to pilot-lines will be a major objective. Pilot lines will establish equipment platforms which will be targeted for identified, and substantial potential applications, in three strategically significant industrial areas: (i) energy storage by high capacity batteries and hybridcapacitors with enhanced energy density, (ii) solar energy production and, (iii) energy efficient (lightweight) airplanes. A further aim is to develop process control concepts based on in-situ monitoring methods allowing direct correlation of synthesis parameters with nanomaterial structure and composition. Demonstration of the developed on-line monitoring tools in pilot lines is targeted. The integrating project targets a strategic contribution to establishing a European high value added nano-manufacturing industry. New, cost efficient production methods will improve quality of products in high market value segments in industries such as renewable energy production, energy storage, aeronautics, and space. DoW adaptations being made responding on requests from Phase-2 Evaluation Report In Phase-2 of the evaluation process, a number of points were noted by the evaluators where the project had insufficient information or could benefit from 'upgrading' or justification. Our response and actions against each point raised has been summarized and send to the project officer, Dr. Rene Martins, in a separate document.

The research of the proposed network is aimed at the study of the super-molecular organization in amphiphilic macromolecular systems of complex architectures. In particular, our efforts will focus on the study the hierarchical self-assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules differing in their molecular architecture, driven by multiple types of interactions, both in aqueous solution and at interfaces. The spectrum of molecular architectures will range from simple linear structures (e.g.,block copolymers) over branched structures (e.g. graft copolymers) and more complex nanoparticles (spherical and cylindrical core-shell and Janus-type structures). We aim to understand how self-organization, the resulting structures and interfacial patterns are controlled by the interplay of macromolecular architecture of building blocks with different types and ranges of competing interactions, particularly hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. We aim at the design of highly responsive (intelligent) systems capable for switching of the aggregation state and supermolecular organization upon variation of the external conditions. Our ultimate goal is to create and understand systems that can self-assemble in a hierarchical way. The present project aims at exploring possible approaches and should be seen as the first step in this challenging direction.The strongly complementary expertise of the participating groups (advanced synthetic techniques, a wide range of experimental characterization methods, the combination of analytical and computational theoretical modeling, as well as competence in industrial applications) and their coordinated efforts will guarantee the success of the proposed interdisciplinary research by bringing us to a qualitatively new level of understanding of self-organization of amphiphilic macromolecular systemsThis network, spanning six countries with 13 teams, is aimed to provide excellent training for the early-stage researchers in an inspiring, #

One of the most challenging goals in the field of materials science is the discovery of structures with surprising properties or functionality based on designed molecules that self-organise. These structures are held together by relatively weak noncovalent interactions and thus might be easily reconfigurable into a variety of morphologies. A promising starting point for the synthesis of such structures seems to be the use of templates made of organic molecules that arrange themselves into highly organized nanostructures and may direct the cells to attach, proliferate and selectively differentiate, by providing them signalling domains that regulate their function. This will allow the development biomaterials that are not only biocompatible and biodegradable, they can present guidance to cells. The design of self-assembling molecules that mimic complex biological structures hold promise for the development of novel multifunctional biomaterials that could lead to real breakthroughs in tissue repair and regeneration. In the spirit of the Marie Curie OIF, this research project aims to provide an unique prospect and an excellent training programme for an European researcher to develop her investigation, in the areas of self-assembly, templating chemistry and biomaterials, by gathering two leading research institutions in the field. The research work will be developed at the Northwestern U. (Prof. Stupp, USA) in the outgoing phase and at the U. of Minho (Prof. Reis, Portugal) in the return phase. The researcher will have the opportunity to go to a third country established research centre to acquire new skills and knowledge, professional maturity and independence, enhanced inter/multidisplinarity qualities, while broadening her international research experience. This is turn will foster the links between European and third countries's researchers and will contribute for the development of abundant and dynamic world-class human resources in the European Research system.

PRAIRIES is an interdisciplinary and intersectorial network exposing high-profile, early-stage and experienced researchers to a broad spectrum of training and transfer of knowledge activities beyond conventional academic boundaries, thereby educating them not only to supramolecular chemistry, nanoscale science and technology, but also to complementary skills (i.e., management, communication, IPR) and preparing them for positions in academia, industry, and government labs. A personal career development plan for each researcher will define the training milestones accomplished through local and network-wide activities and transfer of knowledge actions, both at academic and industrial nodes, along with the short and long term career objectives. The overall scientific and training objectives are centered around the design and synthesis of structurally programmed molecular modules which self-assemble at precisely define host and receptor sites in a regular manner. These unique 2- and 3-dimensional architectures will result from the application of strong directional intermolecular interactions between specifically designed molecular components allowing the controlled formation of the desired networks on surfaces. Such tailored-made, tunable receptor cavities (diameters between 1 and 10 nm) will be employed to host a series of functional molecules, modulated for the different applications targeted in this project. All supramolecular assemblies will be refined for specific technological applications through a step-wise approach involving also theoretical calculations and advanced characterization using single molecule spectroscopy, electrochemistry, nanoscale imaging and manipulation via scanning probe microscopy methods. Thus, PRAIRIES will apply a cross-disciplinary approach to generate highest level of training and new knowledge in the burgeoning area of molecular biology, supramolecular-, materials-, and nano-science with impact in biosensing and optoelectronics.

The precipitation of alkaline-earth carbonates in silica-rich alkaline solutions yields nanocrystalline aggregates that develop non-crystallographic morphologies. These purely inorganic hierarchical materials, discovered by the IP of this project, form under geochemically plausible conditions and closely resemble typical biologically induced mineral textures and shapes, thus the name ‘biomorphs’. The existence of silica biomorphs has questioned the use morphology as an unambiguous criterion for detection of primitive life remnants. Beyond applications, the study of silica biomorphs has revealed a totally new morphogenetic mechanism capable of creating crystalline materials with positive or negative constant curvature and biomineral-like textures which lead to the design of new pathways towards concerted morphogenesis and bottom-up self-assembly created by a self-triggered chemical coupling mechanism. The potential interest of these fascinating structures in Earth Sciences has never been explored mostly because of their complexity and multidisciplinary nature. PROMETHEUS proposes an in depth investigation of the nature of mineral structures such as silica biomorphs and chemical gardens, and the role of mineral self-organization in extreme alkaline geological environments. The results will impact current understanding of the early geological and biological history of Earth by pushing forward the unexplored field of inorganic biomimetic pattern formation. PROMETHEUS will provide this discipline with much needed theoretical and experimental foundations for its quantitative application to Earth Sciences. The ambitious research program in PROMETHEUS will require the development of high-end methods and instruments for the non-intrusive in-situ characterization of geochemically important variables, including pH mapping with microscopic resolution, time resolved imaging of concentration gradients, microscopic fluid dynamics, and characterization of ultraslow growth rates.

The proposed 6 short training courses and the final workshop, offered in this series of events, are all related to the microelectronic manufacturing and the interdisciplinary aspect of the transition from the 'conventional' microfabrication methods (Clean Rooms) to the new environments that will incorporate novel materials and methods under development by various nanotechnologies. Trainees will be exposed to the required theoretical background, and get a direct hands-on experience in different aspects of micro and nano fabrication. The proposed series of events will cover the 'conventional' approach and extend into the various interdisciplinary aspects of nanotechnologies. The courses will illuminate the need for integration of the procedures, and thus lead to a significant step in educating scientists for work in a future nanoelectronic fab in Europe. It should be noted that the materials, methods, and equipment commonly used in nanotechnology are not always compatible with the conventional microelectronic manufacturing in 'clean room environments', and not necessary scalable to circuits comparable to present VLSI electronics. This series of events will address these issues. All that will be emphasized in the following 2 week courses: 1. Basic Microelectronic processing; 2. Organic polymer electro-optic nano-devices; 3. e-beam based tools for device/materials characterization (FIB-TEM); 4. Growth and structural characterization of semiconductor nanostructures (MBE); 5. Single electron transistors, Photonic Crystals and nano-tools; 6. Electrical and optical characterization of nanodevices. The courses will be followed by a 3 days workshop (conference type) on the convergence of conventional microelectronics and nanotechnology.

Recent combinatorial biotechnologies have shown that the molecular recognition capability of proteins can be specifically oriented toward inorganic surfaces. The use of technologies based on such specificity would give European industry a competitive edge in several emerging fields (from nanoelectronics over biomaterials science to drug design), spanning different thematic areas of FP6. However, at present the principles regulating protein-surface interactions are poorly understood, thus hindering such technologies from taking off. What features of the surface and of the proteins (electronic, structural, morphological) determine which protein is able to bind to a given surface and how? PROSURF will answer this question and provide the European scientific/technological community with computational tools to enable rational design of protein-surface associations. As automated in silico docking revolutionized the process of drug discovery, so the outcomes of PROSURF will open genuinely new routes to solve several urgent technological problems, such as self-assembly of nanoelectronic devices or design of highly biocompatible materials. PROSURF is risky because it addresses a largely unexplored subject; however, the risk is compensated by the potential of enormous impact. Our strategy to probe the determinants of protein-surface specificity, and to implement the envisaged computational tools, integrates state-of-the-art computational techniques and experiments. It consists of a series of computational steps, including quantum-mechanics based parameterisation of protein-surface interactions, molecular dynamics simulation of proteins on surfaces, and the implementation of protein-surface docking software, corroborated by tailored experiments. Although the project focus is on theory, feedback from experiments will be important both to validate the computational tools, and to gain new insight into the basis of protein-surface interactions.

CIGS solar module technology on rigid glass substrate is already mature and industrial companies are producing hundreds of MWp each year. Bringing flexible CIGS solar modules to industrial maturity will yield the next breakthrough for further cost reduction by taking into account the inherent advantages of thin film technology, e.g. high throughput and large scale coating with less energy and material consumption. The aim of R2R-CIGS is to develop efficient flexible solar modules by implementing innovative cost-effective processes such that production costs below 0.5 €/Wp can be achieved in large volume factories with annual capacity of 500MWp in future. The main objectives of this project are: • Flexible solar cells on polymer film with 20% efficiency and mini-module with 16% efficiency by control of composition gradient, surface, and interface properties on nano-scale • Transfer of innovative buffer layer process for roll-to-roll manufacturing and replacing problematic CBD-CdS by higher yield processes such as (spatial) ALD and ultrasonic spray • Developing fully laser based patterning technology for monolithic interconnection in R2R pilot-line • Scale-up of static multi-stage CIGS deposition process from laboratory scale towards inline R2R compatible processes • Implementation of the up-scaled multi-stage CIGS deposition process into pilot lines for R2R manufacturing of flexible CIGS modules • Development of moisture barrier with WVTR < 5x10-4 g/m2/d and cost-effective encapsulation • Decrease cost of ownership for enabling production costs below 0.5 €/Wp for a commercial plant with annual production of 500 MWp in future

The REALISE project aims (i) to develop an atomically controlled deposition process for high-k oxide layers as an enabling technology for a variety of innovative integrated circuit technologies and (ii) to advance fundamental knowledge of materials functionality in the areas of thin film growth, oxide-semiconductor interfaces, surface-precursor reactions and atomic-scale characterisation of dielectrics. These two global aims will be achieved by collaborative research across a range of disciplines. No satisfactory process exists for depositing rare earth oxide films as high-k dielectrics at present. The process that is the subject of this project is atomic layer deposition (ALD), the leading technology for deposition of nanometre-scale films. The project aims to overcome the current difficulties and limitations of rare earth oxide ALD, through project goals that span the entire process: design, synthesis, scale-up and testing of suitable precursors; characterisation of film quality and optimisation of deposition parameters. To investigate the functionality of rare earth oxides as dielectrics and to show the utility of ALD in the electronics industry, further goals of REALISE are: deposition onto variously-prepared semiconductor substrates (Si, Ge); high-resolution characterisation of the semiconductor-oxide interface; scale-up of new ALD process to industrially-sized Si wafers; testing of dielectric in capacitors for innovative memory (DRAM, NVM) and wireless (decoupling for RF) applications. REALISE thus brings together unique expertise to achieve urgently-needed materials integration solutions for the European semiconductor industry.