Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful technique for bio-chemical analyses and an essential sensing tool in medicine, biology, chemistry, pharmacy and many other disciplines and industries. Surface-enhancing techniques use noble metal nano-structures to induce high field-enhancement and improve the sensitivity of these systems and sensors. Important improvements have been achieved with the optimization of these nano-structures, but it is now clear that enabling a new significant step in performance will require the exploration of new approaches, beyond the mere geometrical optimization of noble metal particles and arrays. This project proposes to use graphene as a new enabling material to improve the sensitivity and versatility of infrared spectroscopy systems and sensors. Beyond the trend to study graphene for virtually any application to determine its potential, current state of research in graphene plasmonics already demonstrates outstanding potential for spectroscopy. Still, the unique electromagnetic properties of graphene have not yet been exploited for surfaced-enhanced infrared absorption. Indeed, graphene nano-structures have the potential to surpass its noble metal counterparts in several aspects. Graphene-based resonators can potentially achieve higher Q-factors than those provided by metal resonators, which in turn would lead to enhanced sensitivities. High Q-factor graphene resonators can be then used for enhanced sensing through new approaches, for instance by taking advantage of the graphene conductivity variation due to analyte-induced doping. New capabilities arise also from the electrostatic tunability of graphene conductivity, which can provide additional capabilities such as wavelength-scanning and spatial-scanning. In summary, graphene-based plasmon-enhanced infrared systems have the potential to reach a versatility degree, sensitivity levels and additional capabilities, that clearly surpass those of current IR surface-enhanced systems.

Better understanding on stem cell tracking is required before regenerative medicines therapies (RMTs) can be used. However, there is not a single molecular imaging technology capable of providing the breadth of information required. For instance, while MRI offers excellent spatial resolution, sensitivity is low, whereas for SPECT/PET, the converse is true. In this context, the combination of nanotechnology and new imaging techniques such as photoacoustic imaging (PAI) emerge as potential disruptive technology. Biocompatible nanoprobes can be rationally designed to label specific cell without interfering with biological parameters such as differentiation or metabolic processes but improving the contrast of the imaging technique. Gold nanorods and more complex structures such as hollow nanoparticle or hybrids show special optical properties that enable their use as contrast agents for PAI achieving then enough sensitivity to monitor single cells. Moreover, these optical properties are easily tunable and can be adjusted to perform a multiple real time labelling thanks to the rapid acquisition and the extremely high resolution of PAI. Thus, the combination of these two technologies together will provide a non-invasive, long term, in vivo cell tracking of stem cell in models of kidney injury already developed and validated. Thus, the amelioration of fibrosis and the recovery of renal function amongst other will be assessed together with the safety studies that will include biodistribution, tumourigenesis, inflammation, systemic toxicity, etc. All together will contribute to establish efficacy and safety of RMTs.

There is great need for radically new paradigms that significantly push forward the complexity, multiscale control, and functionality of novel materials. Molecular self-assembling strategies are continuously being explored for developing ever more precise and organized materials. The development of adaptive materials that can be morphed into complex shapes of hierarchical structure through bottom-up mechanisms that mimic those found in tissue development is a fascinating possibility. This proposal (BIOMORPH) aims to develop a novel dynamic self-assembling material fabrication platform that combines the benefits of molecular self-assembly, bioengineering, nanotechnology, and tissue engineering. The system integrates simple peptide and protein building-blocks with multiple cells types to create complex hierarchical, biomimetic, hybrid structures that exhibit remarkable properties such as self-healing and the capacity to undergo morphogenesis. The work would represent a major step-change by developing a dynamic strategy based on emerging physico-chemical mechanisms that generate and dissipate stresses, and maintain a controlled non-equilibrium state that together is reminiscent of elements found in tissue morphogenesis. The work is divided in four work packages that expand from building block design and synthesis to biomechanical and in vitro assessment of the generated materials. The proposed fabrication platform may find applications in a variety of tissue engineering applications. However, as a first stage, the work proposes to grow tubes and tubular networks that recreate vascular tissue.

The proposed 'iPhoto-Bio' is an international research staff exchange programme - 'International collaboration on integrated photonics technologies for advanced bioapplications'. It aims to create a worldwide networking and knowledge transfer between six world-leading universities/institutes from five different countries: the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, China and the United States. The objective of the proposed programme is to establish long-term stable research cooperation between the partners with complimentary expertise and knowledge. The project objectives and challenges present a balanced mix between industrial application focused knowledge transfer and development and more far-looking studies for potentially ground-breaking applications by exploiting new emerging opportunities with integration of photonic components, micro-nano-bio systems, functional techniques, and innovative materials for advanced biosensing and biomedical applications.

The NET-GENESIS project aims to investigate how networks form, evolve and are configured when a new technology emerges. These networks include a number of interlinked actors (e.g. individuals, organisations, institutions) extending across multiple domains in which the rewards systems, incentives and power structures can differ markedly (open science vs. market-based). The architecture of the relationships among these actors may exert a significant influence in shaping technological change in certain directions rather than others, which in turn may have the potential to provide more socially optimal or desirable technological options. In this regard, a number of examples can be identified to highlight the importance of these networks for emerging technologies. For instance, networks can represent channels through which entrepreneurs and firms access to the financial resources (e.g. venture capitals) required pursuing R&D activities. In addition, the open-innovation framework has highlighted how networks are critical conduits for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and resources among the different actors involved in the innovation process. Finally, networks extend also across science and technology domains thus stimulating scientific discoveries and supporting the development of novel technological applications. However, while the literature contributing to our understanding on how network variables affect actors' performance and behaviour is quite large, the genesis and dynamics of the networks surrounding emerging technologies remains a relatively unexplored area of research. The proposed project is a cutting-edge project that aims to contribute to filling this gap by conducting a comparative study (involving 6 case-studies) on the network micro-dynamics of emerging technologies across three industries, i.e. pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. To this end, a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach involving several levels of analysis will be adopted.

Today, one of the central themes in the Nanoscience is Molecular Electronics which relies on the ability to measure and control electrical current through molecular scaffolds. As in the case of conventional semiconductor electronics that took several decades of research to reach commercial applications, the concept of using few molecules or even a single molecule as active components in electronic devices is now closer to reality. Molecular Electronics research continues in deepening our understanding of the properties of single molecules and is anticipated to lead to novel organic (opto)-electronic devices. However, the question remains “when will this fundamental science turn into a commercial technology?” The answer for this question is “soon”. However, this field is still in its infancy and there are several unsolved issues, the most critical one being optimizing molecular contacts with electrodes and controlling current flow through molecular junctions.

The proposed knowledge transfer project on Smart Optical Fibre Sensor Technology (SOFST)via this International Incoming Fellowship (IIF) programme will bring the knowledge and expertise of the Marie Curie IIF Fellow Dr Qizhen Sun from the University of Huazhongin Chinawith the integration of the advanced optical fibre devicesfabrication technology and sensing applications of the EU host -Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT) of Aston University to (1) develop advanced fibre grating and nano-micro structure based sensor platform; (2) explore speciality optical fibres for high function and multi-parameter sensors; (3) utilise functional nano and bio coating materials for sensor performance enhancement; (4) develop fibre laser based sensor systems for high resolution detection; (5) develop label-free on-line fibre sensor detection systems for food quality and security control. Together with proposed collaboration with 4 academic and 4 industrial co-hosts in Europe, the outcome of this project will not just enhance the EU leading position in smart fibre sensor technology but also the competiveness in commercialisation and wide range applications of this technology.

Interfacing quantum optics with nanotechnology could boost the prospects for the integration of scalable quantum information technologies. Quantum information processing is a key future technology that promises superior communication and computing performance beyond classical information. Any candidate to realize its full potential will require solid-state coherent units with long-range interactions. The most promising approaches rely on photons and spins. Recent demonstrations of the quantized character of surface plasmons -oscillations of electrons bound to photons -have spurred research in miniaturized quantum optics with plasmons, known as quantum plasmonics. Despite the interest, experiments aiming at nanoscale quantum circuits and communication with plasmons are still in their infancy because of the difficult generation of a coherent interaction between different single-plasmon nanosources. Here we propose a conceptually new route to quantum plasmonics that harnesses the properties of quantum materials. These are tunable quantum systems with properties that emerge from the strong interaction between coherent units, with macroscopic states that are determined by collective quantum many-body physics. We will create a unique quantum state: a Bose-Einstein condensate of surface plasmons for which quantum properties become apparent in a many-emitter system. This will allow the construction of a quantum metamaterial, a reconfigurable optical material that exploits coherence. Topological insulators -another fascinating quantum material that is metallic on its surface, insulating in its bulk and locks electronic spin to current direction -will be shown to support plasmons and spin-plasmons (a plasmon travelling with a spin wave). This will bridge spintronics and nanophotonics, the two most promising approaches for integrated quantum information. Both plasmonic quantum materials will be novel resources for classical and quantum nanophotonic devices.

In the last decade, the fields of nanoplasmonics and photonic crystals have opened up the nanoscale for optical control. Both the flow and emission of light can be controlled at these small length scales, giving rise to new science and applications. Interestingly, freely propagating light beams can already contain nanoscale features, i.e. optical singularities. Little is known about this nanoscale structure of light. I propose to (1) reveal the structure of light at the nanoscale and its interaction with geometrical structures or other light structures; and (2) achieve full spatio-temporal control of the nanoscale structure of light. Crucial to achieving these goals are technological innovations, which will be crosscutting objectives. These include the first nonlinear vectorial scanning near-field microscope and novel near-field probes allowing access to new combinations of vector fields. This next step in the field of nano-optics is possible due to recent breakthroughs in the control and visualization of light at the nanoscale obtained in my group. I will combine newly acquired access to the vectorial nature of light with its active control to investigate how (deep-) subwavelength structures of light of different frequencies affect each other when coupled through a nonlinear interaction in a nanostructured material. In parallel I will focus on optical singularities. Because of their extreme size, small changes in their position will lead to huge effects in the local light fields, opening up potential for all-optical and therefore ultrafast control. The research will lead to innovations in the visualization and control of light at the nanoscale, access to the magnetic component of light, nanoscale nonlinear optics and coherent control of light fields. The knowledge gain will be crucial for applications like ultrasensitive biosensors based on superchiral light, ultrafast magneto-optics and nanoscale quantum optics.

The improvement of fabrication technology over the last decades enables the accurate creation of almost arbitrarily shaped nanoscale metal structures. In such systems, quasi-bound surface modes (plasmons) provide strong, sub-wavelength confinement of electromagnetic fields. This confinement leads to strongly increased coupling between light and matter, and increases the possible spatial resolution to far below the diffraction limit. These properties make plasmonics a quickly growing and multidisciplinary subject, with applications in physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. A particularly relevant topic is the coupling of quantum emitters (such as atoms, molecules, quantum dots, or color centers in diamond) to plasmons. By concentrating light with the use of plasmons, the mismatch between the absorption cross section of the emitter and the size of the light beam can be circumvented. It is then even possible to reach the strong coupling regime, where the elementary excitations become hybrid states with mixed light-matter character. The major aim of StroCOMP is to develop new insights into the strong coupling between plasmons and organic molecule excitations, forming so-called 'plexcitons'. Due to the complex molecular structure, organic molecule plexcitons are still not fully understood. In addition to the system itself, we will study two relevant applications: One is the manipulation of chemical structure and reactions through strong coupling, exploiting the modification of the chemical potential energy surface. The second application is plexciton condensation, driven by their Bose-Einstein statistics. This exploits the possible ultralight effective mass of plexcitons to enable condensation and quantum degeneracy even at room temperature, and in addition to being of fundamental interest could represent a pathway towards a very low-threshold coherent light source.