Whether a cell adheres to the extracellular matrix, or biological signals propagate within and between cells, highly selective interactions occur between the molecular 'partners' that materialize the process. Supramolecular chemistry studies the basic features of these interactions (knowledge) and their implementation for the design of non-natural systems (technology). This field bridges molecular chemistry and physics with biology, providing a interdisciplinary platform to understand biological structure (self-assembly) and function (recognition, reactivity and transport). Peptides that self-assemble in ordered nanostructures are a particular case of supramolecular chemistry. Peptides possess the biocompatibility and chemical diversity found in proteins, being particularly interesting for regenerative medicine and nanomedicine. Until now, peptide self-assembly systems have been studied individually. However, biological structures form in highly dense and heterogeneous molecular environments, such as the cytosol and extracellular matrix. The main scientific objective of this project is to recreate part of this complexity, by creating multi-component peptide self-assembly systems that form independent nano-assemblies in the same physical space. These systems will be used to provide technological solutions for the regeneration of ischemic neuronal tissues (artificial extracellular matrix) and the refined release of growth factors (capsules). These systems are also designed to be intermediate steps towards much more challenging future career objectives, namely cell-like bioreactors with the ability of protein production, self-maintenance or, even, self-replication. The beauty of this endeavor is that in the way towards such challenging scientific objectives, quite promising technological solutions can be derived, benefiting mankind health and welfare in ways that at the moment can just be painted with the faint colors of our imagination.

Today, one of the greatest challenges facing physics, chemistry, and (bio)materials science, is to precisely design molecules so as to program their spontaneous bottom-up assembly into functional nano-objects and materials, based on recognition and self-organization processes. Beyond that, in order to reach higher-performing new materials and to bridge the gap between materials science and life science, it appears essential to bring together both multiple responsive levels of hierarchical organization and time-dependent processes.

The aim of SELFMEM is to develop innovation in the field of nanoporous membranes. This will be achieved by taking advantage of the self-assembly properties of block copolymers leading to highly porous membranes with adjustable, regular-sized pores of tailored functionalities. Both polymeric and inorganic (silicon) membranes will be developed. In the case of isoporous polymeric membranes focus will be laid on the formation of integral-asymmetric block copolymer membranes with an isoporous top layer as a function of the block copolymer structure and the preparation conditions. Isoporous inorganic membranes will be prepared by using a thin block copolymer film as a mask for selective etching. The possibilities to systematically vary the pore size and density by varying the block copolymer mask structure will be investigated. The block copolymers will be synthesized by controlled polymerisation techniques (anionic, group transfer, and different radical polymerisations), depending on the chosen monomers. The characterisation during and after formation of the membranes will be carried out by light and various x-ray scattering techniques, by scanning force microscopy, and by different electron microscopic techniques. Both types of membranes will be post-functionalized in order to tune their final properties. The membranes will be tested for their applicability in different areas. Separation of gases (like H2/CO2) and proteins as well as water purification will be addressed in this project. Modeling and theory will support the understanding of the structure formation of these membranes and help to optimise membrane design. The results of SELFMEM will increase European competitiveness in strategic markets such as gas purification, water treatment and molecular biology. The consortium consists of 12 partners from 10 countries, including 4 companies from 3 countries.

In view of current developments in the fields of porous materials and discrete nano-sized molecules and aggregates the lack of organometallic-based compounds acting as nodes together with functionalized organic linkers in such materials and as linkers and building blocks for nano-sized spheres and aggregates is obvious. By using organometallic polyphosphorus compounds it was possible to synthesize unprecedented prototypes of such materials and molecular nano-sized superspheres. These ground-breaking discoveries will be subsequently further developed to excess a qualitatively novel level of research by using polypnictogen starting materials. Key targets will be the generation of rigid 3D organometallic-based materials, discrete supramolecular nano-sized aggregates (charged moiety approach) and novel fullerene-like supramolecules as nano-spheres, nano-capsules and nano-wheels (neutral moiety approach). Especially the latter approach will generate unprecedented spheres and molecules which are extreme in size and function as there are multifunctional binding sites; multi-magnetic properties; tuning templates in size; generating, encapsulating and releasing highly reactive intermediates and reaction components. Finally, the work will move beyond our knowledge of known structurally characterized fullerenes by the development of non-carbon based alternatives within and beyond the fullerene topology.

Oxide nanostructures in low dimensions on well-defined metal surfaces form novel hybrid systems with tremendous potential and impact in fundamental research and for the emerging nanotechnologies. The focus of the project is on the fabrication of two-, quasi-one-, and quasi-zero-dimensional oxide nanostructure model systems suitable for elucidation of their emergent properties in terms of structure, electronics, magnetism, and catalytic chemistry. This will be achieved by controlled self-assembly in ultrahigh vacuum, with atomic-scale precision, and in-situ characterisation employing the full palette of modern surface science methodology. Established kinetic preparation routes as well as a new approach to steer the self-assembly via external fields will be applied to the growth of a variety of transition metal oxides on suitable substrate surface templates. The stabilisation mechanism of polar oxide surfaces in nanoscale oxide objects, the catalytic chemistry of a nanoscale inverse model catalyst consisting of oxide nanowires coupled to an array of one-dimensional metal step atoms, and the magnetic properties of a surface-supported oxide quantum dot superlattice will be among the emergent phenomena to be probed in this project. Such fundamental questions will be addressed in a close collaboration between state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical techniques. The possibility to separate dimensionality from nanoscale effects made possible by the model systems created here will add an extra dimension in the understanding of oxide nanophase systems.

The framework of this project is the research on nanostructures for magnetoelectronic devices. For the development of semiconductor spin-electronics (spintronics), it is important to find out materials exhibiting ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, high spin polarization at the Fermi level, and which are structurally compatible with the semiconductor platforms used in the electronic industry. Heusler intermetallic alloys represent a promising set of compounds because most of them are ferromagnetic, with attractively high Curie temperatures, exhibit high spin polarization, and offer tailoring possibilities as magnetic materials similar to the tailoring possibilities of compound semiconductors as electronic materials. Diluted ferromagnetic semiconductors are also materials of high interest in spintronics because of their optimal compatibility with semiconductor platforms, such that they are ideal candidates as sources for spin injection. The project focuses on the MBE synthesis and analysis of thin films of these two types of materials.Thin films of full Heusler alloys of the type X2YZ with X=Co, Fe, Y=Mn, and Z=Si, Ge will be deposited on Si substrates. Major challenges are achieving good film quality despite the lattice mismatch, controlling the composition, atomic ordering, and defects, both in the film itself and at interfaces. The structural, electronic, magnetic, and transport properties of the films will be investigated, and compared with theoretical predictions.Si (Ge) layers incorporating transition metal elements (Mn, Cr, Co, Fe) at high concentrations will be epitaxially grown on Si (Ge) substrates. Specific growth conditions will be searched to avoid phase separation. The intrinsic properties of the layers will be analyzed in order to determine the applicability in spintronic devices, and for a general understanding of the mechanism of ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic semiconductors.

The development of micro fabrication and field effect transistors are key enabling technologies for todays information society. It is hard to imagine superfast and omnipresent electronic devices, information technology, the Internet and mobile communication technologies without access to continuously cheaper and miniaturized microprocessors. The giant leaps in performance of microprocessors from the first personal computing machines to todays mobile devices are to a large extent realized via miniaturization of the active components. The ultimate limit of miniaturization of electronic components is the realization of single molecule electronics. Due to fundamental physical limitations, single molecule resolution cannot be achieved using classical top-down lithographic techniques. At the same time, existing surface functionalization schemes do not provide any means of placing a single molecule with high precision at a specific location on a nanostructure. This project has the ambitious goal of establishing the first method ever allowing for self-assembly of multiple single molecule devices in a parallel way and thereby provide the first method ever allowing for multiple individual single molecule components to operate together in the same device. The impact of the technology platforms described herein goes vastly beyond the field of single molecule electronics and utilization in ultra-sensitive plasmonic biosensors with a digital single molecule response will be explored in parallel with the main roadmaps of the project.

The overarching aim of the SMALL ITN project is to train Early Stage Researchers in the field of ‘molecular recognition at surfaces’ from fundamental science to novel applications. For this task, SMALL combines European experts from surface science, nanotechnology, theory, chemical synthesis, physics, biology and industry, and thus takes a highly integrated approach to the training. The researchers will work within a well-structured scientific programme aimed at molecular recognition, underpinning the next generation of molecular sensors, catalysis, biomimetics, and molecular electronics. The programme of training will foster scientists who, in addition to being specialists in particular branches of molecular nanotechnology, have broad interdisciplinary experience in the experimental and theoretical techniques of molecular nanotechnology. Their hands-on training will be substantiated by a well-developed network training programme which will address both scientific and complementary skills. In their projects, the Early Stage Researcher will explore the nature of the interactions responsible for molecular and atomic recognition and the role that these play in the massively parallel self-assembly of supramolecular nanostructures, using a collaboration of cutting edge experimental and theoretical techniques. They will investigate how to achieve chemical selectivity at surfaces, including enantioselective recognition, by molecular and atomic surface modification as a route to novel catalysis and nanoscale sensors, drawing on expertise across different scientific disciplines and pioneering industrial partnerships.

Shape memory alloys (SMA) exhibit unique and useful effects, such as a capacity to cycle a component between two different macroscopic shapes by cycling the temperature. In the recent years MEMS components made of shape memory alloys have attracted considerable interest in the research field as they offer a high output work density and exhibit specific desirable thermomechanical effects. As a consequence, many research studies have been focused on the development of shape memory thin films which could be integrated into the planar technology of microsystems. However, there are few works in the literature where the effects of the grain size (d)/sample size (D) ratio are studied, and those that do exist are insufficient to draw general conclusions.

SMART-EC aims at the development of self powered (energy harvesting and storage) EC device integrating EC thin film transistor component on a flexible substrate for energy saving, comfort and security in automotive, e-cards and smart packaging sectors. The objective is to overcome the current limitations related to low switching time and manufacturing costs; the switching time can be reduced (<1s) by introducing nanostructured EC materials, innovative EC transistors and high ionic conductive solid electrolytes. Radical innovative cheap manufacturing technologies on large area PVD, inkjet and roll-to-roll processes on low cost plastic will be developed. These processes are fully compatible with heterogeneous integration of several functions to produce a completely autonomous device (thin film battery, PV cell, sensors and communication) with great added value respect to traditional solutions. The optimization of co-integrated (separated building blocks laminated together) and convergence (using same materials for different building blocks) approaches will allow to fabricate a fully autonomous system. The first step will be the optimization of deposition and patterning technologies in terms of processes parameters and in-situ monitoring to allow the high control of film growth; the second step will be the heterogeneous integration of the different building blocks to produce the self-powered systems for the targeted applications. Four academic and research institutes guarantee a high level interdisciplinary research on solid-state physics, material chemistry and integration; this will assures the proper technology transfer to industrial partners at all product chain levels (materials, devices and end users) for a successful exploitation of results. SMART-EC materials and technologies are original and will pave the way for future generation smart surfaces with great potential impact at medium and long term (flexible and transparent electronics) applications.