Our understanding of the biological effects of radiation exposure is still far from complete in spite of a tremendous progress in recent years, whilst any estimation of radiation hazards requires profound knowledge on interaction of ions with biological cells and tissue.

In particular, there is a still unresolved debate about the action of exposure to very low dose radiation, which is presently only estimated by high dose data extrapolation. If low dose effects are studied by irradiating a cell culture by a conventional broad ion beam, only some few cells are hit. As in a control culture some cells always die spontaneously, the result is of low statistical value.

Therefore, some laboratories have introduced successfully the use of collimated ion beams, by which cells can be individually irradiated with a given ions number. Such exact knowledge of hit and non-hit cells enables also studies of the radiation damage transfer from hit to bystander cells, a so called "bystander effect".

From the use of focused microbeams we expect better definition of LET, greater range of LET in case of heavy ion beams, and higher aiming accuracy. New achievements in nanotechnology permit us to construct an intelligent wet cell chamber, where in addition to the late radiation effects, also signals emitted by cells during (and shortly after) irradiation will be studied.

Therefore, we are creating a network of dedicated microprobes delivering individually counted ions to precise cellular locations. The project requires a close collaboration within mixed teams of specialists in biology, biophysics, oncology, nanotechnology, accelerator physics and solid state physics. Biological effects of ion irradiation will be studied as a function of (i) energy and atomic number of primary ions, (ii) ion track location within the cell, (iii) number of tracks, (iv) cell species, (v) cell state (cell cycle, functional status). Using standard bio-medical assays and new nanobiosensors we

The project will develop a percolated nanostructured electrically polarized ceramics (CER) fabricated from hydroxylapatite (HAP) to improve quality of bone eligible bioimplants, work out new material for immobilization of microorganisms for their further use to product of various biologically active compounds (BAC) and purify the environment. A surface of CER will provide a relevant biological - non-biological interface to adhere cells/microorganisms. A surface morphology of CER will be supplied at a nano scale eligible for a cell receptor 'tail' size and will be 'packed' from HAP nanoparticles. The CER surface will be charged and supplied with a web of the canals. Engineering support employing knowledge acquired from computational physics research on charging and adhesion/cohesion by HAP nanoparticles will be provided. To meet CER applications the project is focused to: investigation of yeast cell physiology in biofilms immobilised in novel matrices; immobilization of bacterial cells and yeasts for the purification of the environment, bioremediation and industrial biotechnological processes; working out of active dry preparations of immobilized microorganisms; fabrication of bone eligible implants. The results are planned to implement in industry, medicine, environment and biotechnologies. New benefits in safety of environment, health and biotechnologies will be challenged. Professionals from computational and material physics, chemistry, engineering of materials and their characterization, microbiology, biotechnology, wastewater treatment, orthopaedics and industries will be involved on a multidisciplinary approach and a critical mass of the project. A sustainable development at relevant industries and research will spurt. The project partners' cooperation will become stronger and reach European networking scale to strengthen and integrate the European Research Area.'

The project ANSWER addresses the development of a new class of artificial materials for quantum cascade lasers. ANSWER is the response to fill the technological gap of semiconductor lasers in the 3-5/ym wavelength region. In this project we propose a nanotechnological solution based on large conduction band offset semiconductor heterostructures: These materials are needed for the realization of 3-5//m QC lasers. This wavelength region promises to bring substantial benefits to several important applications such as optical free-space communications and laser based spectroscopy for trace gas detection. These applications, that stand to improve Europe's social and industrial infrastructure, are undeveloped due to the lack of practical laser sources. The QC laser uses nanometer scale layers of semiconductor material to quantum mechanically engineer the electronic and optical properties of the device. This gives added functionality to these semiconductors, over and above their natural properties, and in this respect creates an artificial nanomaterial. Through this project we aim to advance Europe's leading position with regards to QC laser technology and thus create the foundations to stimulate future industrial development within the E.U. The consortium brings together some of the leading players in QC laser technology, who have a world class reputation, a proven research track record and a wealth of experience for QC laser development. The main project objectives are: 1 ) To make significant advances in the production of new large conduction band offset material platforms for QC lasers. 2) Assess new technologies and quantum designs for quantum cascade lasers in the 3-5µm gap. 3) Develop QC technologies that act as stepping stones towards 1.55µm emission wavelengths. The ultimate project deliverable is to produce a laser working under continuous wave (CW) operation, with simple thermoelectric cooling. High temperature #'

ODEON project aims at developing innovative multifunctional nano-materials optoelectronicdevices. The research will be carried out on design, synthesis and fabrication of an interfero metricelectro-optical modulator demonstrator.Electro-optical modulators are key devices in telecommunication. They encode data into an optical signal to transmit over fiber optic cables. Today's available devices are based on lithium niobate.They present intrinsic limitations in the modulation frequency and high production costs.Exploitation of active organic molecules connected to polymers can represent a convenient alternative strategy. First trials on these materials suggest that the drawbacks of the present technology can be overcome.We plan to fabricate a demonstrator device based on new organic chromophores with strong hyperpolarizability, specially designed and synthesized. The chromophores will be hosted in, or grafted on, polymeric matrices and hybrid solgel-derived glasses. They will be manipulated at nanometric scale by means of electric or light fields in order to obtain suitably oriented molecular arrays. These materials will be patterned using different techniques to produce simple waveguiding structures, to test interferometric geometry suitable for the planned electro-optic device. In order to attain our target, a deep insight into chemical and physical phenomena relating to nano-engineering of innovative multifunctional materials is needed. For this purpose, proper characterization of structural, mechanical, linear and nonlinear optical properties will be performed. As final project stage appropriate functional experiments will be carried out to test the demonstrator.High level of competence and complementarities of partners' alongwith the presence of two industrial partners are going to ensure a success and achievement of the objectives. Moreover, the expertise of a leading company operating on the optoelectronic device market, together with innovative materials#'

"Microelectronics Technology Matches"- the complexity level of today's computers could not have been achieved without miniaturisation and integration. This has not been a drive in itself, rather, integration has boosted reliability, such that 4 million transistors integrated on a chip can function for years non-stop, whereas 4 million separate transistors could only function fora split second. This stage in microelectronics development is the "System-on-a-Chip" era. The next stage is "Solution-on-a-Chip" where the sensing, signal-conditioning, data processing and delivery functionalities are all integrated on one silicon-module. The concept stems as neces¬ sary from the fact that the sheer number of connections between sub-systems makes it impossible to build complex non-contiguous devices, as an example 150 million Pixel Detectors in MCM-D technology. Some ideas and devices simply cannot be built unless the concept of "Solution-on-a- Chip" matures reliably industrially. The "System-on-a-Chip" concept integrated components in the same, or similar technology. On the other hand the "Solution-on-a-Chip" concept will have to integrate radically different technologies on the same chip, as the sensing and delivery functionalities are often developed in technologies totally incompatible with those of the signal-conditioning and data processing sub-systems. Mana¬ ging this aspect is key to the "Solution-on-a-Chip" concept, hence the interest for "Microelectronics Technology Ma tches ". Another marked difference between the "Solution-on-a-Chip" revolution (today) and the "System-on-a-Chip" revolution (1980-2000) is that the current concept addresses less so the world IT-microelectronics, but more the diverse worlds of bio/chemistry, medicine, and intelligent- environment - i.e. integrating MCM-D connectivity with sensing capabilities of porous silico

This Fellowship will seek to create a new generation of 'single molecule magnets' (SMMs), i.e. molecules that retain magnetisation in the absence of a magnetic field. SMMs may have long term applications in information storage of quantum computing. The key target is to raise the energy barrier to reorientation of magnetisation. It is believed the best method for so doing is to raise the anisotropic ions. Previous SMMs have involved Mn(III), Fe(III) and Ni(II); other ions present greater single ion anisotropy, and this Fellowship will target these ions. Specifically, V(III) and Fe(II) have useful characteristics for preparing high temperature SMMs. To use such ions requires careful exclusion of air in preparations, as they are highly sensitive to oxidation. Dr Przybylak (SWP) has great experience of handling air- and moisture-sensitive complexes, and he will bring his expertise to bear on this new field. The scientific goals are to prepare SMMs with higher blocking temperatures than those previously reported. In addition to the scientific goals, there are three training goals. Firstly, to provide SWP with training in X-ray single crystal diffraction methods. Secondly, to provide SWP with training in multi-frequency EPR spectroscopy, as applied to high spin cage complexes and SMMs. Thirdly, to provide training in key skills, including presentation of work in English, time management and career development. The third goal is to establish a working relationship between a leading UK research group, and a promising young Polish scientist.

The Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship makes possible a one year visit by Dr Philip Meeson (University of Bristol, U.K.) to the Quantronics Group of Dr Daniel Esteve (CEA-Saclay, France). Dr Meeson is an experienced researcher in the field of fundamental physics of superconductivity and most aspects of ultra low temperature technology. He also has some research experience in mesoscopic devices. Recent research has focussed on the topic of quantum oscillations (the de Haas-van Alphen effect) in superconductors. He is a co-author of a recent graduate level textbook on low temperature techniques and a permanent member of staff in Bristol. Dr Esteve is the head of the Quantronics research group of the CEA-Saclay. The group is a world leader in nanofabrication and experimental aspects of the fundamental properties of nanoscale metals and superconductors. Most recently he has been responsible for the landmark development of the 'Quantronium', a superconducting nanoelectronic device which has greatly furthered knowledge of macroscopic quantum mechanics and which may form the basis of a future quantum computing technology. The purpose of the visit is to exchange knowledge and promote scientific excellence in the areas of superconducting nanotechnology and quantum qubits. One outcome of the research in Saclay will be to engineer the worlds first entangled multiple solid state qubit operating with single shot readout. Such an accomplishment is an obvious next step in the development of solid state quantum computing but the proposal is highly ambitious and requires the implementation of a number of difficult experimental conditions. A principal aim of this work is the transfer of knowledge of nanofabrication techniques from Saclay to a new research effort in Bristol to explore fundamental quantum behaviour in superconducting devices in Bristol. Future collaborations are also envisaged.

The GalnP/GaAs/Ge tandem triple junction cells are the highest efficiency photovoltaic (PV) devices and are likely to be the first of the 'Third Generation' cells to enter the terrestrial PV market in concentrator applications. They employ three different solar cells stacked on top of each other to capture and convert a wider spectral range of solar radiation to electricity. The commercial viability of concentrator systems depends crucially on the use of the highest efficiency cells. The Strain-Balanced Quantum Well Solar Cell (SB-QWSC) is an innovative, nanostructured cell, pioneered by the Quantum Photovoltaic Group (QPG) at Imperial College, which has the potential to enhance the efficiency of the triple junction cell significantly by replacing the GaAs cell. The SB-QWSC increases tandem efficiency by reducing the absorption band-gap of GaAs resulting in better utilisation of the solar spectrum. Recent experimental and theoretical work based on photoluminescence (PL), photoconductivity (PC) and electroluminescence (EL) studies have revealed that the Quasi-Fermi Level Separation (QFLS) in single quantum well (SQW) devices is smaller than expected in both the dark and the light. This implies lower recombination and hence enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, the SB-QWSC dark currents at concentrator current levels show ideality factor n = 1. This suggests that minimum non-radiative recombination levels can be achieved in SB-QWSC. Finally the exciting possibility of efficiency enhancement by photon recycling can also be considered as the unavoidable radiative energy would be re-absorbed in other wells in a light trapping environment. There is therefore a great need to clarify the mechanisms behind the general efficiency enhancement in the SB-QWSC. This will be done by extending the recent studies on QFLS in SQW devices under light illumination to SB-QWSCs, in particular by the study of an already existing sequence of cells with varia#

This project concerns New and Advanced Concepts in Renewable Technologies. It is relevant to FP6 objective Research Development and validation of thin -film PV technologies with higher efficiency cost ratio. The field of study is thin film solar cells manufactured by novel low cost methods. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach from two leading European scientific institutions. It is is proposed to increase solar cell efficiency in the II-VI materials field by : - Flexible and quantitative modelling optimisation from a knowledge based perspective based on characterisation on a nanometre scale. This will develop a quantitative understanding of light and dark currents taking materials issues specific to this system into account down to the grain size scale. - Extrapolation of the knowledge to improved designs. These will primarily consist of changes to the band structure of the cell in order to maximise photocurrent, and minimise the trap dominated dark current by manipulating carrier density profiles in the depletion layers. - Increase efficient use of light by using light trapping techniques. In turn these relax requirements on layer thickness required to absorb incident light, and consequently relax the requirements on minority carrier transport. This leads to solar cells more tolerant of imperfect material, of particular interest in polycrystalline material. - Implement innovations in real thin film polycristalline devices (chalcopyrite type) produced by low cost methods (electroplating) in which the host laboratory has a recognized experience.

NANOCMOS is a project integrating in a coherent structure, activities that in the past have been the object of ESPRIT/IST, JESSI/MEDEA projects in the field of CMOS technologies. It focuses on the RTD activities necessary to develop the 45nm, 32nm and below CMOS technologies. From these technology nodes it will be mandatory to introduce revolutionary changes in the materials, process modules, device and metallisation architectures and all related characterization, test, modelling and simulation technologies, to keep the scaling trends viable and make all future IST applications possible. NANOCMOS covers all these aspects. The project include as well important Training and Dissemination activities. A professional Management structure will be implemented. The first objective of the project is the demonstration of feasibility of Front-End and Back-End process modules of the 45nm node CMOS logic technology. The project intents to process as demonstrator a very aggressive SRAM chip displaying worldwide best characteristics. This objective will be achieved within two years from project start. The second objective of the project is to realize exploratory research on critical issues of the materials, devices, interconnect and related characterization and modelling to start preparing the 32/22 nodes considered to be within the limits of the CMOS technologies. The third objective of the project is to prepare the take up of results described in the Objective I and implement a 45nm Full Logic CMOS Process Integration in 300 mm wafers by the end of 2007. This integration will be part of a separate MEDEA+ project. NANOCMOS initial Consortium gathers most of best competences existing in Europe in the domain. It is expected to incorporate new partners, to fulfil already identified tasks. NANOCMOS places Europe on a privileged position in the competition to develop the enabling technologies of the 2010 e-Society.