In various embodiments, optoelectronic devices are described herein. The optoelectronic device may include an optoelectronic cell arranged so as to wrap around a central axis wherein the cell includes a first conductive layer, a semi-conductive layer disposed over and in electrical communication with the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed over and in electrical communication with the semi-conductive layer. In various embodiments, methods for making optoelectronic devices are described herein. The methods may include forming an optoelectronic cell while flat and wrapping the optoelectronic cell around a central axis. The optoelectronic devices may be photovoltaic devices. Alternatively, the optoelectronic devices may be organic light emitting diodes.

The testing of tumor cells, including human tumors capable of metastases, in assays employing fibronectin-depleted substrates is described. Ex vivo induction of cells, including biopsied human cells, is performed with invasion-inducing agents. Additionally, anti-cancer chemotherapeutics are described. Specifically, chemotherapeutic agents which have anti-metastatic and anti-growth properties are described including non-peptide compositions of matter.

An electron beam lithography machine (10) comprises a column (11) for generating an electron beam (12), a stage (17) for carrying a workpiece (15) to be acted on by the beam, for example for writing a pattern, vertical displacing means (20) for displacing the stage (17) in substantially vertical direction towards and away from the column and a detector (35) for detecting the relationship of a reference plane (A) associated with the column and a reference plane (B) associated with the stage (17) and causing the displacing means (20) to displace the stage in dependence on the detected relationship. The reference planes can be, for example, a writing plane (A) of the beam (12) and a top surface plane (B) of the workpiece (15), which can be brought into coincidence prior to, for example, pattern-writing on workpieces with different thicknesses.

A method of making a composite material, the method comprising: providing a tile, wherein the tile comprises an inorganic material; and bonding the tile to a ductile backing material using heat-curable adhering material and catalyzed foamable exothermic material between the tile and the ductile backing material, wherein heat generated from the use of the catalyzed foamable exothermic material cures the heat-curable adhering material. In some embodiments, the exotherm from the foaming of the foamable exothermic material cures the heat-curable adhering material for a time sufficient to unite a solid foam body to the heat-curable adhering material of the tile and the ductile backing material. The method is particularly advantageous in bonding a tile composed of nano-particles to a ductile backing material, as it helps retain the nanoscale properties of the nano-particles in the tile.

The long term objective of the WOODLIFE project is to provide coated and glued wood products with substantially improved durability for a more sustainable society. The project aims to develop new water-based clear coating systems for wood with improved UV-absorbing properties, and to develop new water-based thermoplastic wood adhesives with improved mechanical properties. The new coating and adhesive systems will be designed through molecular manufacturing of inorganic nanoparticles, nanoclays and composite organic-inorganic binders with predictable and controllable properties. Wood is an excellent building material with a high strength/density ratio and it is a renewable resource. For outdoor use it is, however, necessary to enhance the durability of wood materials due to the high sensitivity for UV degradation. Traditionally, organic UV-absorbers are used in clear coatings for wood, however these substances degrade upon outdoor weathering. New UV-absorbing systems for clear coats will be developed in the project based on nanoparticles of CeO2, ZnO and TiO2. With these new systems the service-life of the coated wood will be extended and the cost for maintenance and wood replacement will be decreased. If the mechanical properties of water-based thermoplastic wood adhesives such as PVAc can be improved it would be possible to use the wood products based on these systems for a longer time, leading to a more sustainable society. It would also be possible to use PVAc adhesives instead of the more expensive MUF/PRF adhesives in some load-bearing applications. Engineered nanoparticles will be developed in the project and will be introduced into wood adhesives in order to improve the properties of wood-adhesive joints. The nanoparticles and nanoclays that will be developed in the project will either be added directly to water-based systems or incorporated in hybrid binders in order to improve the dispersion of the nanoparticles and to improve storage stability.

The project’s objective is to improve the research capacities and to reinforce the S&T potential of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) in its scientific excellence with the aim of unlocking its capacity and make it accessible for ERA; to strengthen LSIWC as a central part, which ensures the smooth integration of researchers from convergence and outermost regions in a field vital for the social-economic development of Europe and Latvia such as Forestry and Forest Products. The project embraces thematic priorities such as the investigation of the structure and biodegradation of wood as a construction material and a cultural historical object to ensure its durability and competitiveness in the changing climate and biodiversity conditions; interdisciplinary theoretical wood studies on the molecular and nano-level, and development of technologies for chemical compounds, production of composite materials and energy from wood, its components and other types of biomass; rational utilization of woodworking and wood processing residues for the development of innovative multifunctional products for agriculture, forestry and environment protection. The project will promote the exchange of know-how and experience, formation of strategic co-operation partnership between the related leading European research centres. It will activate the dissemination of scientific information and joint results, will expand the involvement of young researchers in the scientific environment. The project envisages the acquisition of unique research equipment and upgrading of the existing one, which will extend the research potentialities, strengthen the Institute as an international research centre and make it attractive for the co-operation partners. 51 institutions as provisional cooperation partners from 24 countries will predicted: 41 from 20 ERA countries (between them 14 from 9 new EU countries); 10 from 4 ICPC (Eastern European and Mediterranean) countries.