Objective Complex metal oxides (MO) are the center of interest in a range of fields, with one of the most exciting applications being artificial photosynthesis. Converting solar energy into chemical bonds, once perfected, might constitute a large part of a solution to the energy sustainability problem modern society faces. Semiconductor MOs have been shown to be promising candidates for light absorbers in anodes of photoelectrochemical cells used for water cleavage and hydrogen production from sunlight. Candidate materials with optimal band gap and band alignment with water redox level used in such devices are often selected based on combinatorial material science techniques (inkjet printing, co-sputtering) and theoretical calculations. Once a compound is identified as having promising photoelectrochemical properties, a fabrication route is sought to prepare nano-structured thin films. Colloidal chemistry is a highly promising approach for the synthesis of complex MO nano crystals (NCs), in principle allowing control over the size and structure of the NCs by choosing appropriate precursors and tuning the conditions (temperature, time, reagent concentration, organic ligands). These advancements greatly facilitate research in the field of complex functional materials and are now a standard, but the optimization of synthesis-by-design of NCs and thin films fabrication has been lacking and mainly based on a trial and error approach. With NanoAID we will address this important issue and develop a comprehensive toolbox for synthesis and characterization of complex oxides, which will go beyond the state of the art with precise defects and non-stoichiometry control capabilities. NanoAID will focus on developing a toolbox for rapid structural and morphological characterization of complex oxide NCs and thin films, and thermodynamic analysis of the involved compounds. Research will center on ternary and quaternary compounds, namely Cu/Mn-V-O. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisphotocatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryinorganic compoundsengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialsnanocrystalsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsnatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Net EU contribution € 187 419,60 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 187 419,60