Objective
This proposal will develop a new platform for atomic-scale manipulation by tapping into the unique electronic and mechanical properties that can be engineered in van der Waals heterostructures. This opportunity is only now achievable due to my recent pioneering technological achievements with heterostructure construction, including precise control of twist angles between neighbouring layers and unique ultra-high vacuum fabrication instrumentation.
We will develop a novel family of self-propelled, electrically-controlled nanomachines that will transform the possibilities for mechanical manipulation at the nanoscale. These on-chip nanomachines will sequentially step across 2D surfaces, enabling positioning of atomic-scale objects with unprecedented accuracy, travel and low-wear, while being immune to mechanical noise. This capability will be used to design and study fundamental interactions in bespoke atomic-scale systems and explore a concept of atom-by-atom “printing” for quantum materials assembly.
The project is delivered in 3 work packages:
(1) Investigate plasticity in commensurate 2D interfaces and develop the “atomic encoder” – a displacement sensor with ~1 Å resolution.
(2) Develop micrometre-scale sliding vdW nanomachines allowing repeatable movement in two directions with ~1 Å step and over 1 µm range.
(3) Explore the transformative power of this platform by (a) controlling single-photon emitters, (b) trapping, manipulating and studying single ions on 2D insulators, and (c) building and controlling atomic-scale systems for quantum technologies.
Beyond this project, the proposed ground-breaking platform for nanoscale motion will have transformative potential in many areas including metrology, quantum technologies, NEMS, electronics, optoelectronics, nanobiology, nanofluidics and ultra-fast genomic sequencing.
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 electromagnetism and electronics optoelectronics
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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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-ADG
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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.
M13 9PL Manchester
United Kingdom
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.