Objective
Materials discovery is a central theme in science. The right material may solve grand challenges such as the energy problem or the colonization of other planets. Often this discovery of a new material occurs when scientists find conditions to stabilize new structural arrangements at the nano- or mesoscale. One versatile approach relies on artificial building blocks known as nanocrystals (NCs). NCs are nanometer-scale atomic crystals with size-tunable physical properties. Their hierarchical assembly into crystalline lattices, superlattices, has the potential to integrate orthogonal physical properties, such as photoluminescence and magnetism, unlocking a vast and unexplored design space for multifunctional materials.
So far, significant advances in this direction have been hindered by the inherent distribution in size and shape of NCs, polydispersity. The polydispersity of as-synthesized NCs frustrates superlattice formation and affects the performance of the resulting optoelectronic devices, such as lasers. All previous efforts to optimize synthetic protocols have been unable to eliminate NC polydispersity. As a result, modern NC ensembles still show restrictive levels of polydispersity exceeding 10%: A radically different strategy is needed to obtain monodisperse NCs.
Here, I propose to develop a universal thermal refinement strategy to reduce the polydispersity of NC ensembles, resulting in the separation and exploitation of monodisperse NCs.
The proposed NC refinement strategy relies on a crystallization process engineered to isolate a single NC size from a polydisperse ensemble. My experience in nanoscience will allow me to reach a profound understanding of NC refinement by establishing a robust link between experiments and simulations. I will exploit the superior optical properties of refined NCs to build a new device concept based on the reinforcing optical feedback between colloidal microlasers with sub-mJ lasing thresholds and single-mode operation
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials nanocrystals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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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.
90133 Palermo
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.