Final Report Summary - NANOCTM (Nanoelectronics: Concepts, Theory and Modelling)
As envisaged at the start of the project, the NanoCTM network has tackled major challenges in the theory of nanoelectronics and created a unique environment for training ESRs in the theory of nanowires, quantum dots, carbon-based electronics, and spintronics, along with interaction and proximity effects in small dimensions. Our highly-integrated approach to the theory of nanoscale transport has provided the fundamental knowledge needed to realize future nanotechnologies and their integration into a higher hierarchical level. Our research covers a range of system parameters such as magnetic and electrical properties, light, temperature or chemical reactivity, all of which will underpin future nanoelectronic devices.
The training dimension of the NanoCTM network is reflected in a series of high-priority actions specifically aimed at early stage researchers (ESRs). These have included: education and knowledge dissemination through the organisation of Thematic Workshops, Tutorial Courses, Annual Network Meetings, Summer Schools and Mobility Programmes. The network has had a strong focus on interdisciplinary training, and taken advantage of several fruitful collaborations between the partners.
During the past four years, we have achieved major breakthroughs in the theory of
• Quantum coherence and entanglement
• Hybrid graphene nanostructures
• Spintronics
• Interaction effects in nanoscale transport
• Molecular electronics
The significant progress made in all of these five work packages is evidenced by ca. 180 publications produced over the four years of the network, including articles in high-impact-factor journals such as Phys. Rev. Lett., Nature Nano., Nature Phys., ACS Nano, Nanoletters, JACS and Angew. Chemie. To further disseminate these outputs, PIs and ESRs have made ca. 200 presentations at international and national conferences, workshops, meetings and outreach events.
Excellent progress has been achieved in all aspects of the project with the achievement of the planned milestones and deliverables in all the Work Packages. There have been no significant deviations from the milestones and deliverables presented in Annex 1 of the Grant Agreement. The project has maintained considerable momentum in the implementation of the training and transfer of knowledge, research output, and development of impact and visibility at the European level. The enthusiasm of the ESRs for this interdisciplinary research is obvious. In addition to the above outputs and dissemination activities, we would identify the following points which demonstrate the successful progress of the project.
• All ESRs have attended many seminars by visiting speakers at their host institutions, local courses, NANOCTM Workshops, Schools and Tutorial Courses, and all have given several oral and poster presentations at these NANOCTM meetings. Feedback on their presentation skills has been provided by the PIs to the ESRs.
• All the ESRs have learnt the essential aspects of project organisation, team integration, time management and presentation skills, in preparation for their research careers.
• High quality experts from outside the Network have given presentations at our NANOCTM events.
• All the ESRs have written regular reports which have been read by the supervisor who has provided feedback to the ESR. These reports have formed the basis of manuscripts submitted for publication, and the basis of PhD thesis chapters.
• All the PIs and most of the ESRs have given oral presentations at national and international conferences outside the Network events.
• ESRs have undertaken secondments to partner laboratories to learn new core skills, to extend their social networks and cultural diversity and to exchange best practice.
• Many of our scientists-in-charge have been actively involved in outreach actions like public lectures in local schools and at University open days. Within over 13 popular talks we have explained, in non-technical language, our involvement in the NANOCTM network and how the project could solve technological problems and impact society in the future.
• Many new close collaborations have been initiated within the Network and with outside partners. Increasingly the ESRs have taken the lead in this regard.
• Regular exchanges of best practice have continued to take place between partners during routine conference calls, emails and face-to-face meetings.
• Clear evidence of the strong cohesion, and high level of expertise within the consortium is provided by the extensive number of publications reporting our work undertaken within the framework of NANOCTM, many involving two or more Network partners, which have been published in peer-reviewed journals, or are in press.
The training dimension of the NanoCTM network is reflected in a series of high-priority actions specifically aimed at early stage researchers (ESRs). These have included: education and knowledge dissemination through the organisation of Thematic Workshops, Tutorial Courses, Annual Network Meetings, Summer Schools and Mobility Programmes. The network has had a strong focus on interdisciplinary training, and taken advantage of several fruitful collaborations between the partners.
During the past four years, we have achieved major breakthroughs in the theory of
• Quantum coherence and entanglement
• Hybrid graphene nanostructures
• Spintronics
• Interaction effects in nanoscale transport
• Molecular electronics
The significant progress made in all of these five work packages is evidenced by ca. 180 publications produced over the four years of the network, including articles in high-impact-factor journals such as Phys. Rev. Lett., Nature Nano., Nature Phys., ACS Nano, Nanoletters, JACS and Angew. Chemie. To further disseminate these outputs, PIs and ESRs have made ca. 200 presentations at international and national conferences, workshops, meetings and outreach events.
Excellent progress has been achieved in all aspects of the project with the achievement of the planned milestones and deliverables in all the Work Packages. There have been no significant deviations from the milestones and deliverables presented in Annex 1 of the Grant Agreement. The project has maintained considerable momentum in the implementation of the training and transfer of knowledge, research output, and development of impact and visibility at the European level. The enthusiasm of the ESRs for this interdisciplinary research is obvious. In addition to the above outputs and dissemination activities, we would identify the following points which demonstrate the successful progress of the project.
• All ESRs have attended many seminars by visiting speakers at their host institutions, local courses, NANOCTM Workshops, Schools and Tutorial Courses, and all have given several oral and poster presentations at these NANOCTM meetings. Feedback on their presentation skills has been provided by the PIs to the ESRs.
• All the ESRs have learnt the essential aspects of project organisation, team integration, time management and presentation skills, in preparation for their research careers.
• High quality experts from outside the Network have given presentations at our NANOCTM events.
• All the ESRs have written regular reports which have been read by the supervisor who has provided feedback to the ESR. These reports have formed the basis of manuscripts submitted for publication, and the basis of PhD thesis chapters.
• All the PIs and most of the ESRs have given oral presentations at national and international conferences outside the Network events.
• ESRs have undertaken secondments to partner laboratories to learn new core skills, to extend their social networks and cultural diversity and to exchange best practice.
• Many of our scientists-in-charge have been actively involved in outreach actions like public lectures in local schools and at University open days. Within over 13 popular talks we have explained, in non-technical language, our involvement in the NANOCTM network and how the project could solve technological problems and impact society in the future.
• Many new close collaborations have been initiated within the Network and with outside partners. Increasingly the ESRs have taken the lead in this regard.
• Regular exchanges of best practice have continued to take place between partners during routine conference calls, emails and face-to-face meetings.
• Clear evidence of the strong cohesion, and high level of expertise within the consortium is provided by the extensive number of publications reporting our work undertaken within the framework of NANOCTM, many involving two or more Network partners, which have been published in peer-reviewed journals, or are in press.