The proposal lies within the field of RENEWABLE ENERGY and aims to assist in achieving the EU climate and energy goals. Photovoltaics (PV) will have a significant impact on the energy market when the energy conversion efficiency of solar cells is enhanced. Most types of PV cells employ functional thin films and cell efficiency can be improved tailoring the properties of such films. Major challenges are to enhance photon absorption, reduce electron-hole recombination and improve charge transport. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is an ultrathin-layer deposition technique well known for its excellent uniformity, conformability and composition control. Recently, this method has proven promising for PV through excellent surface passivation of crystalline Si cells by Al2O3. The full potential of ALD for PV cell manufacturing is yet to be exploited. This is why this project will explore the use of ALD-synthesized oxide films, in particular Zn-based and related oxides (In2O3, SnO2), for different types of solar cells. These films will be used as specific layers, such as tunnel layer in 1st generation crystalline Si cells; transparent conductive oxide or window layer in 2nd generation amorphous Si and CIGS thin film cells; and high surface-area photoanode in 3rd generation nano-based cells. After process development using various ALD configurations, different compositions and doping options will be investigated and characterised. The screening results will indicate the best candidates for conducting in-depth studies. Experimental and statistical techniques will be combined to establish the physical relationships between process parameters and film characteristics. Subsequently, optimisation and validation tests will be conducted through selected demonstrator experiments. The applicant is to attain total research autonomy and maturity at the end of the project. Transversal benefits for other energy devices (fuel cells, Li-ion batteries, etc.) are expected from this project.

This proposal aims to develop a generic synthesis approach for core-shell nanoparticles by unravelling the relevant mechanisms. Core-shell nanoparticles have high potential in heterogeneous catalysis, energy storage, and medical applications. However, on a fundamental level there is currently a poor understanding of how to produce such nanostructured particles in a controllable and scalable manner. The main barriers to achieving this goal are understanding how nanoparticles agglomerate to loose dynamic clusters and controlling the agglomeration process in gas flows during coating, such that uniform coatings can be made. This is very challenging because of the two-way coupling between agglomeration and coating. During the coating we change the particle surfaces and thus the way the particles stick together. Correspondingly, the stickiness of particles determines how easy reactants can reach the surface. Innovatively the project will be the first systematic study into this multi-scale phenomenon with investigations at all relevant length scales. Current synthesis approaches -mostly carried out in the liquid phase -are typically developed case by case. I will coat nanoparticles in the gas phase with atomic layer deposition (ALD): a technique from the semi-conductor industry that can deposit a wide range of materials. ALD applied to flat substrates offers excellent control over layer thickness. I will investigate the modification of single particle surfaces, particle-particle interaction, the structure of agglomerates, and the flow behaviour of large number of agglomerates. To this end, I will apply a multidisciplinary approach, combining disciplines as physical chemistry, fluid dynamics, and reaction engineering.

In the context of global climate control policies, improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings represents a great challenge, worldwide as well as at the European level. Reducing the energy consumption of buildings is nowadays preferably achieved by increasing the thermal resistance of the insulation layer in the building envelope. The AEROCOINs project will make a significant contribution to the future reduction of energy consumption by decreasing heating and cooling demands of existing-buildings. A clever combination of sol-gel science and nanotechnology can greatly advance design and development of novel superinsulating aerogels. The AEROCOINs project proposes to create a new class of mechanically strong superinsulating aerogel composite/hybrid materials by overcoming the two major obstacles which have endured for so long and have prevented a more wide-spread use of silica-based aerogel insulation components in the building industry: i) strengthening of silica aerogels by cross-linking with cellulosic polymers or the incorporation of cellulose-based nanofibres and ii) lowering the production cost of monolithic plates or boards of composite/hybrid aerogel materials via ambient drying and continuous production technology. Acting on these two incentives, new superinsulating aerogel-based monolithic materials with improved thermo-mechanical properties will be synthesized at the laboratory scale, developed further to the pilot scale under the shape of superinsulating panels, integrated in well-suited envelope components which will then be used for energy and ageing evaluation purposes via the integration of the aerogel-based components in a demonstration wall. In addition, a complete LCA study of the component will be realized and a fabrication concept for cost effective mass production (based on a continuous elaboration process) will be laid out for further pre-industrial development

The aim of the project is a rational design of complex molecular self-assembled surface nanostructures the properties of which could be externally switched or their self-assembly process could be externally controlled. The project covers the research on the self-organization processes of molecules on metallic surfaces with ultra thin insulating layers and graphene substrates. Using the intermolecular bonds with graded strength the complex hierarchical architectures should be realized. The incorporation of switchable molecules gives the structures specific functional properties. The main idea lies in the preparation of nanopores which can be opened or closed through switching the molecules by light induced cis/trans isomeration which will be controlled by a proper choice of the used light wavelength. The detailed study of intermolecular interactions on insulating layers as well as understanding the light-induced switching processes in the nanostructures will be in centre of interest. Next, the influence of adjustable electronic density of graphene substrates or external electric fields on molecular self-assembly processes will be also studied.

This project presents a new concept for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of cancer biomarker patterns in point-of-care. The device under development will make use of the selectivity of the plastic antibodies as sensing materials and the interference they will play on the normal operation of a photovoltaic cell. Plastic antibodies will be designed by surface imprinting procedures. Self-assembled monolayer and molecular imprinting techniques will be merged in this process because they allow the self-assembly of nanostructured materials on a 'bottom-up' nanofabrication approach. A dye-sensitized solar cell will be used as photovoltaic cell. It includes a liquid interface in the cell circuit, which allows the introduction of the sample (also in liquid phase) without disturbing the normal cell operation. Furthermore, it works well with rather low cost materials and requires mild and easy processing conditions. The cell will be equipped with plasmonic structures to enhance light absorption and cell efficiency. The device under development will be easily operated by any clinician or patient. It will require ambient light and a regular multimeter. Eye detection will be also tried out.

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”.

Topological insulators constitute a novel class of materials where the topological details of the bulk band structure induce a robust surface state on the edges of the material. While transport data for 2-dimensional topological insulators have recently become available, experiments on their 3-dimensional counterparts are mainly limited to photoelectron spectroscopy. At the same time, a plethora of interesting novel physical phenomena have been predicted to occur in such systems.

One-atom thin two-dimensional nanomaterials possess unique properties different from their bulk counterparts. Initiated by the discovery of graphene, many stable one atom-thick layers such as boron nitride, molybdenum disulphide, tungsten disulphide etc., have been isolated and characterized. However, the individual properties of such 2D-atomic crystals (except graphene) were modest. The combination of isolated single atomic layers into designer structures, named as 2D-heterostrcutures, is predicted to give synergetic properties. In order to harness the interesting properties the combination of various 2D-atomic crystals have to offer, a method to assemble them in a simple and scalable way is required. Currently, the only method known is manual placing of the 2D-atomic crystal layers sequentially which limits the scope of the study of such structures. The objective of the proposal is to assemble layered (each layer is one atom thick) stacks of graphene superlattices and heterostructures with other 2D-atomic crystals such as BN, MoS2, WS2 etc., by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-mediated assembly. DNA mediated assembly is highly programmable by chemically specific interaction between nucleotides, length of the DNA, strength of the interactions in addition to the symmetry control of the assembled structures. Top-down lithography will be combined with bottom-up DNA assembly to fabricate seed layers of DNA for the guided assembly which lead to patterned heterostructures. This approach is targeted toward combinatorial screening of exotic properties of varied architectures of heterostructures with control over the composition of 2D-atomic crystals and spacing between the layers (controlled by DNA). The anticipated structures would be vertical atomic scale Legos of 2D-atomic crystal layers with DNA spacers.

One-atom thin two-dimensional nanomaterials possess unique properties different from their bulk counterparts. Initiated by the discovery of graphene, many stable one atom-thick layers such as boron nitride, molybdenum disulphide, tungsten disulphide etc., have been isolated and characterized. However, the individual properties of such 2D-atomic crystals (except graphene) were modest. The combination of isolated single atomic layers into designer structures, named as 2D-heterostrcutures, is predicted to give synergetic properties. In order to harness the interesting properties the combination of various 2D-atomic crystals have to offer, a method to assemble them in a simple and scalable way is required. Currently, the only method known is manual placing of the 2D-atomic crystal layers sequentially which limits the scope of the study of such structures. The objective of the proposal is to assemble layered (each layer is one atom thick) stacks of graphene superlattices and heterostructures with other 2D-atomic crystals such as BN, MoS2, WS2 etc., by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-mediated assembly. DNA mediated assembly is highly programmable by chemically specific interaction between nucleotides, length of the DNA, strength of the interactions in addition to the symmetry control of the assembled structures. Top-down lithography will be combined with bottom-up DNA assembly to fabricate seed layers of DNA for the guided assembly which lead to patterned heterostructures. This approach is targeted toward combinatorial screening of exotic properties of varied architectures of heterostructures with control over the composition of 2D-atomic crystals and spacing between the layers (controlled by DNA). The anticipated structures would be vertical atomic scale Legos of 2D-atomic crystal layers with DNA spacers.