The ultimate goal of the project is to generate and transfer knowledge on the development of new nanomaterials specifically applicable in novel macro-bacterial sensors for food manufacturing and processing industry. The special structure of nanomaterials gives rise to their amazing properties. The ability to manipulate the structure and composition on the nanoscale provides very large opportunities to create new materials with superior performance for new products and devices. Since the optical properties of nanomaterials can be controlled by changing their size, shape, and aspect ratio, as well as via their surface modification, nanomaterials are prime candidates as building blocks for photonic sensors. The overall objective of this research is to develop the synthesis of ZnO, ZnS and PbS nanostructures with different sizes and morphologies via the laser ablation in liquid technique, then to modify and functionalize the surfaces of the prepared nanostructures and finally to use them for the preparation of photonic sensors with bacteria-detecting properties. Such efficient, easy-to-use and rapid sensors will be evaluated within different food processing, weighing and packaging lines available from project partner. This is an ambitious research programme, with a strong interdisciplinary nature combining materials engineering, surface science, bio-engineering, physics, chemistry and soft matter science. Its success is underpinned by the combination of complementary expertise of the Fellow, Host and Partners in nanomaterial preparation and characterization, photonics and food processing and analysis, respectively. The project will have a positive impact on a longer shelf-life of ready food, monitoring of food manufacturing lines, and optimization of cleaning routine during food manufacturing and packaging. Hence, positive impact on public health sector, as well as economic and ecological effects, is expected.

This project proposes the development of a technology capable of delivering, high speed, simultaneous elemental and molecular maps of biological targets. Specifically these targets will include plaques associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), tumours treated with Pt-based chemotherapy drugs, and cell populations derived from the FP7 project, the ONE Study. The dual-mode imaging system will enable the analysis of metallo-proteins and their binding sites, or where there is no native metal tag or its abundance is too small to detect, anti-body or specific reactive chemistry metal or nano-particle tags will be added to the target molecules. For the ONE Study, one of the key project aims is to develop cell labelling strategies that will enable therapeutically administered cells to be tracked at low abundance in the host cell populations without toxic impact on either the therapeutic cells or host organism. The technology will be based on employing a common pulsed laser platform for laser ablation, desorption, or matrix assisted sampling of the target material simultaneously coupled with inductively-coupled plasma elemental mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ion trap organic mass spectrometry. In the case of the molecular mass spectrometry, electro-spray or matrix assisted charging will be used. The sampling will employ a technology developed in the host laboratory that enables targets to be sampled at atmospheric pressure whilst excluding atmosphere from the sampling point. The technology will be optimised for high speed and high efficiency to enable rapid mapping of targets at very high sensitivity. This will require development of a new high efficiency torch design for ICP-MS and the novel use of micro-jet pumps to deliver samples to the mass spectrometers. The project will also take advantage of the Fellow's expertise in synchrotron X-ray techniques to obtain non-destructive and comparative analyses of the specimen materials.

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.

The recent progress in the fabrication and direct synthesis of laterally confined structures, thanks to lithography techniques, has given rise to renewed interest in understanding the interaction between spin-polarized current and magnetic domain walls (DWs), because of it is a key technology for the future spintronics. Although there are several possible ways in which current can interact with magnetic domains, the most interesting interaction is that in which spin angular momentum transferred from the spin-polarized current results in motion of the domain wall. The main aim of the present project is the study of CIDWM in nanostrips with different configurations of magnetic anisotropy. As a starting point, permalloy nanostrips with longitudinal anisotropy will be analyzed, where the composition will be varied in order to modify the STT. In a second stage, the project will be focused towards more original systems with perpendicular anisotropy. The research combines different activities: elaboration and nanofabrication of metallic nanostrips, study of the domain wall motion induced by spin-polarized current (this includes analysis of DW topology, depinning, velocity, mobility and position as a function of dimensions of nanostrips and current) using advanced magnetic imaging techniques, and advances in the micromagnetic modeling of the spin transfer torque. An important aspect of this project will be the effort for understanding inconsistencies and unresolved issues in the interaction of spin-polarized current with DW (existence and nature of non adiabatic contribution, thermal effects, maximum speed of DW driven by current and magnitude of current required to sustain the motion of DW along a nanostrip), whose answer will determine how useful CIDWM will be for technological applications. Therefore, the project pretends to include a good balance between fundamental, applied and theoretical research

The Project aims to develop novel approaches for detection and characterization of particles in the critical nanometer – micrometer size range. An improved knowledge of the make-up and origin of such particles that are present in the atmosphere and working environments is crucial for understanding their role in atmospheric pollution and human health. The role of atmospheric particles in influencing climate behavior is also poorly understood and requires more sophisticated analysis techniques. The detection of neutral isolated nanoparticles is an extremely challenging problem. The compositions and structures of particles present in the atmosphere are largely unknown owing to limited measurement capabilities. Recently it has been shown that femtosecond laser ablation is a promising technique for nanoscale depth-resolved chemical analysis while graphene nanoresonators offer much promise as ultrasensitive mass detectors. This multidisciplinary Project includes two key areas that could revolutionize particle monitoring: (1) depth-resolution analysis of micro- and nanoparticles using fs laser ablation mass spectrometry and (2) the combination of nanoelectromechanical mass sensing and fs laser ablation mass spectrometry for the detection and elemental analysis of neutral nanoparticles. A dual time-of-flight mass spectrometer will be constructed for analysis of individual aerosol particles. The potential of fs-laser ablation mass spectrometry for providing a particle depth profile will be explored and tested on well-defined core-shell micro-/nanoparticles. In addition, the elemental analysis potential of fs laser ablation mass spectrometry will be coupled with sensitive neutral particle detection, using a graphene-based mass sensor that will be developed in the host group. The outcome of the Project will be in making an important step from fundamental concepts of particle detection and characterization to laboratory proof-of-principle studies and prototype development.

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.

The overall purpose of this research project is to develop and apply a novel laser-initiated liquid-assisted colloidal lithography (LILAC) method for controllable nanostructuring a wide range of surfaces. The method combines, for the first time, ultra-short laser pulses, medium-tuned optical near-field effects and colloidal lithography to achieve surface structuring of materials like Si, III-V semiconductor, biomedically relevant metals and polymer surfaces. The detailed mechanisms underpinning the pattern formation depend on the many experimental process variables: laser wavelength and intensity/fluence; choice of liquid; size, shape, nature and packing of colloid particles; choice of solid surface, etc. Accordingly, the 2-year project proposed here has three interconnected aims: 1. To investigate the mechanisms of the pattern formation by systematic variation of relevant experimental parameters. To this end, we will vary: the nature of the liquid used to produce radical species at the liquid-substrate interface, laser pulse duration and wavelengths, the colloidal lithographic masking strategy, substrate surface chemistry, etc.; 2. To exploit the LILAC method to generate surface patterns with unprecedented physical and chemical sophistication and complexity; 3. To undertake preliminary investigations of the utility of specific surface micro-structures for tissue engineering and sensor applications. This project will help Dr. Magdalena Ulmeanu to embark upon an independent research career and to acquire new practical and theoretical skills necessary for her career development in ultra-short laser processing of surfaces.

Polarimetry is a crucial tool in both fundamental and applied physics, ranging from the measurement of parity nonconservation (PNC) in atoms, to the determination of biomolecule structure, and the probing of interfaces. These measurements tend to be extremely challenging as the change of the polarization of light is usually extremely small; typical differences in polarization states are of the order of 10^-5 to 10^-8. Current experimental techniques often require acquisition times of the order of seconds or, in the case of PNC, even many days, limiting the possibilities of time-resolved measurements. Here, I propose to develop optical-cavity-based techniques which will enhance measurements of the polarization sensitivity and/or the time-resolution by 3-6 orders of magnitude. Preliminary data from prototypes and feasibility studies are presented. I propose to demonstrate how these breakthroughs will revolutionize polarimetry, by addressing some of the most important multidisciplinary problems in fundamental physics, biophysics, and material science: a) Testing the limits of the Standard Model with atomic PNC measurements. Current PNC experiments, and more importantly theory, for cesium atoms are limited to precision of about 0.5%. The novel and robust experimental technique I am proposing here affords 4 orders-of-magnitude higher sensitivity, thus giving access to lighter atoms, where the theory can be better than 0.1%, for the most stringent test of the Standard Model, while seeking new physics. b) The measurement of protein folding dynamics. Highly sensitive time-resolved spectroscopic ellipsometry, providing novel dynamical information on protein folding: nanosecond resolved, position measurements of functional groups of surface proteins, which map out the time-dependent protein structure. c) Determination of thin film thickness and surface density with nanosecond resolution, for the study of processes such as laser ablation and polymer growth.

The Low Temperature Laboratory (LTL) of Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) offers expertise, facilities, and equipment for outside users to undertake measurments at temperatures from 4 K down to the lowest attainable to date. ULTI is expected to contribute to scientific progress and technical development in ultra low temperature physics, to serve as a first-rate educational center for young physicists and, because of its long-standing connections with the low temperature research in Russia, to act as a node for scientific collaboration between Russia and EU countries.

The in-house research includes experimental programs on refrigeration, cryogenics and nanofabricated cryosensors, experiemental and theoretical studies of quantum fluids and solids, nuclear magnetism, and electrical transport in nanostructures. The local low temperature research staff consists of 35 persons of whom 6 are professors, 4 senior scientists, 5 post-doctorals, 5 technicians and 2 secretarial employees; the rest are graduate andundergraduate students. The refrigeration equipment includes three nuclear cooling cryostats capable of reaching sub-mK temperatures and five 20-mK cryostats. As a new addition to our facility, we offer for the users full access to our 55 m2 semi clean room with electron beam lithography line as well as limited access to a 2600 m2 clean room, jointly operated by HUT and VTT, the neighboring State Research Center. The staff of the HUT/VTT clean room has expertise on design and manufacturing of nanofabricated cryosensors both electrical and micromechanical.

Of the total research activity at the ULT installation, at most 18% will be allocated to the ULTI visitors. On average at any given time 1.5 EU-sponsored Users would work in the LTL, and about 40 persons participating in 35 different projects could benefit from the ULTI in four years.

The newly established Materials Science and Nanotechnology Institute (UNAM) is the first national research institute of Turkey in the area of atomic scale materials and nanotechnology. UNAM is growing as a major research facility equipped with all necessary research infrastructure and advanced research tools to carry out forefront R&D activities. This advanced research facility is available to the researchers of all other institutions. As a centre of excellence, UNAM is expected to provide scientific advising for the state of the art research problems in nanotechnology. Through this project, the Institute can rapidly reach its full potential for research and technological innovation and emerge as an internationally competitive center, integrated firmly into the European Research Area. UNAM is recently established; despite wide recognition within Turkey, so far our exposure to the European scientific community has been limited. We strongly desire to improve this and develop connections to and collaborations with European laboratories, university groups and research institutes through mechanisms to be established in this project. However, UNAM currently suffers from a bottleneck in funding of travel, conference organization. In addition, UNAM needs to increase its PhD staff through postdoctoral and research scientist positions, since full faculty positions through the university are very limited. There is need for a number of trained personnel in high-technology equipment relevant to nanotech in Turkey, such TEM, FIB, lithography equipment. The proposed project will allow UNAM administration to offer internationally competitive salaries for young Turkish scientists receiving doctorates every year in the USA, reversing the brain drain, as well as young European scientists with technical expertise. The proposed project will be critical in overcoming all of these difficulties.