FUNMOLS

Fundamentals of Molecular Electronic Assemblies

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The FUNMOLS network will tackle major challenges in the field of molecular electronics. Ten internationally-leading European research groups from five different countries [including one of Europe’s leading industrial electronics-research groups (IBM Zurich)] have joined forces as full participants, combining expertise in synthetic chemistry, nanoscale physics and device engineering, surface electrochemistry and electronic structure calculations. Our highly-integrated approach involves a convergence of experiments – including syntheses – and theory in electron transport through single molecules, which will represent a major step towards the realisation of future scalable molecular electronics technologies and processes. In the longer term, the insights gained will contribute to the fabrication of functional nanoscopic architectures and their integration into a higher hierarchical level. System parameters like electric field, light, temperature or chemical reactivity are envisaged as possible triggers of future nanoelectronic devices. This European consortium is committed to promote breakthroughs at the frontier of science. The training dimension of the FUNMOLS network is reflected in the high priority we will give to a series of actions specifically aimed at early stage researchers (ESRs). These include: education and knowledge dissemination through the organisation of Workshops, Tutorial Courses, Annual Network Meetings, Training Schools, International Conferences and Mobility Programmes. The network as a whole builds on several fruitful collaborations between the PIs and seeks to close an existing educational gap in the European Research Arena. The development of complementary skills (presentation, management, technology transfer, IP protection) will be implemented actively throughout the lifetime of the project. A constant interaction beyond those involved primarily in research will provide the wider scientific community with information on our new technology.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Molecular electronics are the subject of increasing research and development. A consortium of experts in the field recruited highly motivated young researchers, creating an innovation incubator for a new generation of discovery.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Using single molecules as building blocks and electron transport through them as the basis for electronic circuits could be the key to smaller and more powerful circuit elements and devices sought by the semiconductor industry.

However, only recently have technological advances made experiments studying such systems possible.

Ten international leaders in related topics from five European countries joined forces to advance the current state of the art while training a new generation of early-stage researchers (ESRs) in an important emerging field.Funded by the EU, the project 'Fundamentals of molecular electronic assemblies' (FUNMOLS) combined expertise in synthetic chemistry, nano-scale physics and device engineering, surface electrochemistry and high-level electronic structure calculations.

The stellar background of the partners together with the high calibre and motivation of the ESRs pushed the frontiers of electron transport in single molecules, resulting in 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals.The doctoral students attended seminars, courses, workshops and conferences.

All made oral and poster presentations, receiving feedback from experienced principle investigators and honing their scientific communication skills.

Students learned about all critical aspects of working in the research community, including project organisation, team integration, time management and report writing.

Increasingly, the young researchers took the lead in networking activities and numerous new collaborations were initiated.

Overall, the young scientists acquired important transferable skills that will make them highly sought after in both academic and industrial arenas.FUNMOLS has made a major contribution to the realisation of novel molecular electronics devices in the near future.

Intensive research and development as well as expert training of a new generation of young scientists provide the fuel to power a new era of scientific discovery.