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Optical Microscope for Imaging High-Speed Precision Surface Processes

Project description

Surface analysis with ultrafast microscopy

Surface phenomena on non-transparent materials remain challenging to study in real-time, particularly when it comes to understanding ultrafast processes. Industries like semiconductors, batteries, and green energy require precise, label-free monitoring to optimise operations. However, traditional microscopy often struggles to provide the resolution and speed needed for these applications. This gap often leads to inefficiencies. The ERC-funded SURFLIGHT is developing a high-resolution microscope capable of imaging down to 2 nm and capturing ultrafast processes on surfaces in real-world conditions. Its ability to monitor active sites in real-time offers potential for industries focused on catalysis and energy conversion, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and prolonging catalyst lifespans. Overall, SURFLIGHT promises to minimise process failures and maximise performance across sectors.

Objective

SURFLIGHT is at the forefront of optical microscopy innovation, aiming to bring an exceptional microscope to the market. We have developed a high-resolution microscope (up to 2 nm) capable of monitoring ultrafast surface processes (s-scale) on non-transparent materials under real operational conditions. This innovation holds promise for industries like semiconductors, batteries, and green energy, where it is critical to visualize surface phenomena label-free and in real-time.

SURFLIGHT's microscope excels in identifying active sites on surfaces and nanomaterials, essential for catalytic reactions or solar energy conversion. This technology streamlines catalysis R&D by offering real-time visualizations, cutting costs, and optimizing catalyst utilization. Moreover, it minimizes the need for repetitive tests, conserving time and resources, while enhancing catalyst lifespans and reducing replacements through real-time monitoring of catalyst degradation under real-world conditions. Most importantly, it safeguards against large-scale process failures, resulting in substantial cost savings in materials and reduced downtime.

A thorough market analysis within SURFLIGHT will allow us to step up our dialogue with academic as well as industrial partners and thoroughly characterize the industrys demands and needs for the microscope. This will allow us to undertake a final optimization of the microscope once identified the initial targeted customer sector. This ERC PoC will be central for pursuing these goals. We envision SURFLIGHT in the market rapidly and attracting commercial interest from a wide range of industrial sectors.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC

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Host institution

LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 150 000,00
Address
GESCHWISTER SCHOLL PLATZ 1
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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Beneficiaries (1)

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